Ginger aids to improve blood circulation and relaxes muscles surrounding blood vessels thus used to lessen blood pressure. Ginger is also a powerful digestive herb that helps relieve uneasiness and nausea.
Hypertension Herb Ginger
Ginger has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of numerous ailments, such as colds, nausea, arthritis, migraines, and hypertension.
Ginger Plant: Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome (ginger root) is simply called as ginger used as a spice or a folk medicine. It is an herbaceous perennial grows about a meter tall having narrow green leaves and yellow flowers.
Other names of Ginger: Botanical name for ginger is Zingiber officinale.
Ginger nutritional value: Ginger contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds such as gingerols, beta-carotene, capsaicin, caffeic acid, curcumin and salicylate. It also contains vitamins & minerals such as Sodium, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Folate, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Iron.
Different available forms of the Ginger: Fresh ginger, dried ginger, dried ginger powder, ginger root extract, and ginger tincture.
Recommended daily dosage for Ginger: Take 2 to 5 grams of dried ginger rhizome powder divided into 2 or 3 doses per day. Ginger root herbal tincture is 1 to 3 ml. Ginger extract is 1 gram.
How do you take Ginger? Peel a piece of ginger root, cut into thin slices, pour a cup of water, boil the water, simmer the flame for at least 10 minutes, strain the liquid, sweeten with little honey, squeeze 1/2 lemon to taste and drink before, during, or after meals.
How does Ginger lower blood pressure?
Ginger shows considerable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects.
- Garlic reduces low-density lipoproteins levels that cause plaque in blood vessels. It reduces blood pressure by preventing plaque build-up and maintaining the blood vessels elasticity.
- Ginger contain gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone, which has a strong antioxidant property.
- It stimulates circulation and increases the flow of blood. It prevents blood clots and inflammation thereby blood flow smoothly, thus preventing hypertension.
- It relaxes muscles surrounding blood vessels.
- Clinical studies indicate that the blood pressure-lowering effect of ginger is mediated through blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels.
Ginger’s scientific evidence
Studies performed on animals have revealed its ability to reduce blood pressure through calcium channel blocking.
Ginger has a potential preventive property against some chronic diseases, especially hypertension and CHD, as well as its ability to reduce the probability of illness. [Nutrition. 2017 Apr; 36:79-84.]
15 Medicinal Uses of Ginger
- Hypertension - Garlic reduces LDL cholesterol, prevent plaque, antioxidant, prevent blood clots, anti-inflammatory, improves blood circulation, and relaxes blood vessels thus lower blood pressure.
- Respiratory health - Ginger's antihistamine property make it effective in treating allergies. It inhibits airway contraction. For centuries, it has been used as a natural remedy for colds, cough, sore throat, and flu. A mixture of fresh ginger juice and fenugreek is helpful in curing asthma.
- Digestion - Ginger stimulates the gallbladder to release bile, stimulating digestion. It supports the assimilation of nutrients from the food you eat. Ginger is useful in relieving stomach cramps, diarrhea and bloating.
- Cancer - Many studies have shown ginger has an ability to fight various cancer cells, including lung, ovarian, prostate, breast and colon cancer.
- Nausea - Ginger is traditionally used for nausea associated with motion sickness, sea sickness, etc. Ginger root is helpful in reducing nausea even induced by the chemotherapy.
- Morning Sickness - Research has shown ginger is effective in treating morning sickness comparable to that of vitamin B6. It is often suggested to pregnant women for preventing morning sickness.
- Menstrual Cramp - Taking ginger at the beginning of the menstruation can reduce menstrual pain.
- Migraines - Ginger inhibit the prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in the blood vessels, thus provide relief from a migraine.
- Anti-Flatulence - Ginger has the carminative (expel gas) property that can provide relief from bloating and gas thus reduce flatulence.
- Heartburn - Ginger has been traditionally used as a natural remedy for the heartburn treatment.
- Alzheimer’s disease - Ginger protects and improves the health of brain cells, thus useful for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Weight Loss - Ginger is the biggest fat burners, thus promotes weight loss.
- Free Radicals - Ginger has an amazing antioxidant that offers substantial protection against free radicals.
- High cholesterol - Study found ginger can lower blood cholesterol levels.
- High blood sugar - Ginger can regulate blood sugar levels by improving digestion and metabolism.
Ginger side effects or warnings
Ginger can regularly be consumed without any notable side-effects, as is the case with many peoples for centuries. However, rarely some may experience diarrhea and burning sensation in the stomach.
Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding and interact with blood thinner medications.
You can take Ginger along with your hypertension medication (don't stop it).