For centuries healers in the east have used ginger root for its powerful medicinal properties. It contains a wide variety of antioxidants and has broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral and anti-parasitic properties.

Modern science has confirmed some of the health claims of ginger and it is now frequently used in western medicine to provide relief from nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, surgery, chemotherapy, side-effects from drug therapy, and pregnancy.  It is known as an intestinal spasmolytic, which relaxes the intestinal tract relieves nausea, vomiting, gas and diarrhoea.

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory which makes it a wonderful natural treatment for inflammatory-mediated chronic health conditions, like cancer, arthritis, migraines, heart disease, and others.

Ginger has been shown to prevent and treat type-2 diabetes due to its ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism, increase insulin release and sensitivity, and improve cholesterol levels.

Taking 2 grams of powdered ginger per day over the long term is beneficial for athletes and gym bunnies as it has been shown to significantly reduce exercise-induced muscle pain. This effect is attributed to ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger is good news for women who suffer from painful menstrual cramps. Taking just a gram of powdered ginger for the first few days of your period can reduce pain enough to allow you to avoid taking pharmaceutical pain medication.

Due to its antimicrobial action, ginger is an essential item for travellers who may be going to unknown destinations with questionable water sources, polluted air and limited access to hospitals.

It is a good idea to keep fresh, frozen and powdered ginger in your kitchen for culinary and medicinal use. Ginger is a popular addition to soups, sauces, stews, stir-fries, desserts and a variety of other dishes due to its spicy and delicious flavour. It is a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper  and manganese, therefore adding extra nutrition to your meals.

When working with potent medicinal supplements like ginger it is best to consult a qualified naturopathic doctor, or consult your health care practitioner for advice on dosage and possible side-effects or drug interactions. Fresh or dried ginger in food and juice, or in the form of tea offers a therapeutic effect and is generally safe to use without supervision.

Read this article on everydayhealth.com for a delicious, soothing ginger drink recipe.

Sources
http://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/30/ginger-health-benefits.aspx