Saturday 23 March 2013

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger has long been revered for being a highly effective natural cure for any number of ailments - particularly when it comes to gastrointestinal distress, as it has carminative and intestinal spasmolytic properties. Hence, ginger ale. It's also been shown to ease motion sickness with its nausea-fighting properties (also helpful for those undergoing chemo) and is always prescribed for an upset stomach of any kind. But ginger has much more than just that going for it! Modern science has revealed ginger is loaded with antioxidant effects. If fact, one teaspoon of ginger has similar antioxidant levels as one cup of spinach! And is a great source of potassium. Gingerols, compounds found in ginger, are said to thin the blood and help reduce pain like aspirin does. Ginger is an aromatic spice native to Asia. The ginger plant grows a stalk and long leaves. It spreads through its creeping rhizomes. Its rhizome, or rootstalk, is edible fresh and dried for cooking and medicinal purposes. Ginger has been used for over a thousand years as a culinary spice. It lends its flavor and name to ginger snaps, ginger ale and gingerbread. Its herbal benefits include easing digestion and curing motion sickness. Herbalists believe ginger root is effective in reducing inflammation from arthritis. Ginger holds its flavor and aroma best when it is properly stored. Here are helpful tips on how to store ginger

Medicinal uses    Ginger root slices, boiled in water with added lemon or orange juice, and honey, is a popular herbal drink in ayurvedic medicine to relieve common cold, cough, and sore throat.
   Its extraction is used as a vehicle to mask bitterness and after-taste in traditional ayurvedic preparations.
   Gingerols increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and have analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that it may reduce nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy and may relieve migraine.



Ginger is an herb. The rhizome (underground stem) is used as a spice and also as a medicine. It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil.

Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of “stomach problems,” including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite.

Other uses include pain relief from arthritis or muscle soreness, menstrual pain, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis. Ginger is also sometimes used for chest pain, low back pain, and stomach pain.

Some people pour the fresh juice on their skin to treat burns. The oil made from ginger is sometimes applied to the skin to relieve pain.

In foods and beverages, ginger is used as a flavoring agent.

In manufacturing, ginger is used as for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

One of the chemicals in ginger is also used as an ingredient in laxative, anti-gas, and antacid medications.

How does it work?
Ginger contains chemicals that may reduce nausea and inflammation. Researchers believe the chemicals work primarily in the stomach and intestines, but they may also work in the brain and nervous system to control nausea.
PRODUCT DETAILS 

Product Name                          Dry Ginger
Species                                    Zingiber Officinale
Parts Used                               Rhizomes
Grade                                      Standard
Color and Appearance              Yellowish Brown
Organoleptic Character             Characteristic Taste & Aroma

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Extraneous Matter(% w/w)               <1
Moisture (% w/w)max                        5
Total as (%w/w)max                          6
Water-Soluble ash(%w/w)                 >1.5
Alcohol-soluble extractive (%w/w)    >3
Water-soluble extractive(%w/w)       >10
Acid insoluble ash(%w/w)max            2

HEAVY METALS

Lead,max(ppm)                                  5
Arsenic,max                                        1

MICROBIAL PROFILE

Total plate count,cfu/gm                      <1000
Yeast & mould,cfu/gm                          <100
Salmonella                                             Absent
E.coil                                                     Absent
Packaging                                              International Standard Packagin



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