Ginger

ginger

Ginger can be helpful as a herbal home remedy for many different conditions, such as colds, nausea and more.

Ginger is most commonly thought of as a culinary spice, rather than a medicinal herb. It is quite common to find ginger flavored candy or drinks. Ginger, however, is an excellent herb to combat several illnesses and general maladies.

Ginger is a perennial plant, and most people think of the roots as the part that is used for seasoning and medicine. In reality, it is a rhizome, like an iris has. This portion of the roots is thick and fleshy.  Ginger makes an excellent cough remedy. It was often used in old fashioned and home made cough syrups and cough drops. It can also be added to tea, water or other drinks to make the most of this remedy.  If mixed with cayenne, ginger can also clear the sinus cavities and give relief to head congestion as well. It is obviously a good herb to have on hand when you have a cold!

Ginger promotes sweating, so it can be added to the bathwater to bring down a fever. It is also relaxing and helps relieve tired, sore muscles. Add about three or four tablespoons to a lukewarm bath and soak yourself for the best results.  Ginger is also helpful for cleansing the kidneys and bowels. This will help with overall health. Kidneys and bowels help clean toxins from the body, so cleansing them will help keep everything else in better working order.

As for the circulatory system, ginger helps stimulate a sluggish circulation. In combination with the kidney and bowel cleansing, this can help move those excess wastes from the body.  Ginger can be useful for menstrual problems. It can help jumpstart a suppressed menstrual cycle, for example, and it can help relieve painful cramps.

So, keep ginger around during cold and flu season, in particular. Since it is helpful for coughs, congestion and fever, it can be an all-around remedy. It is also useful for bronchitis and sore throats, as well as being an excellent digestive aid, settling upset stomachs. Sore achy muscles appreciate ginger’s warmth too.