5 Ginger Benefits We Bet You Didn't Know

We all have been advised at least once in life to have adrak wali chai. Isn’t it? From headaches, cold, cough or flu, ginger or adrak seems to have the cure for it all. And if our dadi-nani are to believed, ginger has much more benefits that we might have thought. While ginger is often considered a root, it is actually a stem which grows underground. Replete with medicinal properties, it has been used in Indian culinary preparations since ages and is known as a healing herb in Ayurveda longer than that.  

Here are five ginger benefits that will make you add it in your regular diet right away! 

1. Digestion

Ginger is said to work incredibly well for digestive health. As per experts, it protects the gut, facilitate the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, and reduces bloating and cramps.  

2. Fights Cold And Flu

Ayurveda hails ginger as one of the best remedies for cold. A combination of ginger with honey or cinnamon and cardamom in hot water has been hailed as the ultimate cure for cold, cough and seaosnal flus. 

3. Fights Inflammation

Ginger’s volatile oil has anti-inflammatory properties like that of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which makes it a great remedy for several kind of pains including inflammation in stomach, headaches, etc. 

4. May Ease Menstrual Pain 

Ginger powder can significantly help ease the menstrual pain in women and it may be related to its role in smooth digestion. A hot cup of ginger tea right in the morning can be one of the best ways to keep stomach aches at bay. 

5. Ease Joint Pain 

Ginger has high anti-inflammatory properties which can help ease the unbearable pain in the joints to a great extent. 

You can include ginger in many forms in your diet, make ginger tea with its powder and stem, add a dash of it in your curries or simply infuse it in water overnight. Combine it with cinnamon, cardamom and various healing spices and herbs to make kadha and relieve cold and flu.