Ginger and turmeric are 2 ancient spices which have used both in food and as medicines for centuries. Research is showing that they have numerous health benefits, sometimes even performing better than pharmaceutical drugs!
Both ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) are rhizomes from the Zingiberaceae or ginger family and probably originated in India.
Anti-inflammatory
Both ginger and turmeric have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. They have been used successfully for arthritis and ulcerative colitis. The main ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been shown to be even better than some drugs at treating rheumatoid arthritis.
Cancer-fighting
Not only do these 2 spices contain anti-oxidants which help to prevent cancer from occuring, extracts of both ginger and turmeric have been found to stop tumour growth in some studies.
Stomach issues
Turmeric and ginger are both beneficial for stomach ailments. Ginger is well known for it’s benefit in reducing nausea and vomiting relating to motion sickness, morning sickness or even related to chemotherapy. Turmeric, on the other hand may help with indigestion, relieving bloating or gas.
Cholestrol
More and more people are being put onto statin-drugs to try to reduce their cholestrol. These drugs do bring the cholestrol down, but have numerous side effects and are not actually solving the problem.
Oxidative stress is at the heart of the problem. Oxidative stress arises from free radical damage in our bodies which is unchecked by antioxidants or phytonutrients. This oxidative stress damages the walls of our arteries. Cholestrol then is deposited, in the form of plaques, in an effort to “patch up” the damaged areas, leading to higher levels of LDL cholestrol.
By merely decreasing cholestrol in the body, we are not solving this problem. Turmeric actually addresses the oxidative stress and inflammation, and so is far more effective long-term.
For more health benefits try these sites:
Benefits of turmeric – Dr Axe
Benefits of ginger and turmeric – Livestrong.com
For tips on how to use fresh turmeric and ginger try these links:
