Know in one minute about garlic and ginger
|
Introduction
Garlic (Allium sativum) and Ginger (Zingiber officinalae) are popular spices for their distinct sharp, slightly sweet, and a hot flavor. These herbs are used to enhance the flavor of food globally and have many health benefits. They contain a powerful compound called allicin in the case of garlic and gingerol in ginger. Garlic and ginger are used in numerous forms, including fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallized, candied, and powdered or ground (1).
Health benefits of garlic
1. Improve anti-oxidant capacity
Garlic contains a phenolic compound that helps to improve the antioxidant system and enhance the resistance of the body (2).
2. Anti-inflammatory properties
Garlic contains an organosulfur compound that helps to reduce the swelling of the different organs. Garlic treats obesity, heart disorders, brain inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), malaria, and even cancer swelling (3).
3. Treat the infection
Garlic fights against germs like viruses and bacteria and reduces the severity of colds and flu. Moreover, it also helps to recover the patient with COVID-19 infection by reversing most immune system dysfunctions and alleviating appetite loss (4).
4. Lower cholesterol level
Garlic contains allicin and/or other compounds, which can lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol level thus boost heart health (5).
5. Treat cancer
Garlic fights against cancer cells and induces apoptosis. Thus, garlic inhibits breast, colorectal, colon, gastric, lung, and pancreatic cancer growth (6).
6. Treat Diabetes
Active organosulfur compounds found in garlic are effective to lower blood glucose levels. Thus intake of garlic improved blood glucose control in 1–2 weeks as well as in 24 weeks in type 2 diabetic patients (7).
7. Treat skin disease
A research study suggested that garlic ointment heals wounds more effectively than Vaseline. It increases the growth of fibroblasts that are key components in wound healing (8). Moreover, it is also treated for warts, denture stomatitis (oral mucosal lesion), an ulcer on the leg or ankle (9).
8. Good for nourishing mothers
A research study suggested that the consumption of garlic by nursing mothers acts as a galactagogue and modifies their infant’s behavior during breastfeeding.
Intake of garlic by breastfeeding mothers can increase the staying time of infants at the breast and breastfeed longer (10).
Health benefits of Ginger
1. The Rich source of bioactive compounds
Ginger is one of the plants with valuable compounds such as gingerols, paradols, and shogoals, which is a rich source of antioxidants, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory agents (11).
2. Treat chemotherapy-induced and early pregnancy side effects
Chemotherapy may cause fatigue, nausea, and vomiting in the cancer patient (12). However, intake of ginger helps to relieve chemotherapy-induced side effects and improve the quality of life in the cancer patient.
Ginger is also better to treat morning sicknesses like nausea, dry retching, vomiting, and migraine (13).
3. Effective in cancer
Gingerol, shogoals, and paradols found in the ginger fight against cancer. It inhibits the growth of cancer and reduces swelling in cells thus treating different cancers (14).
4. Improve muscle strength
Intake of ginger may promote the recovery of muscle strength by reducing muscle pain after intense exercise. However, it delayed muscle damage but did not prevent it (15).
5. Manage diabetes and related complications
Ginger contains gingerol that helps to regulate blood sugar levels in a diabetic person. It also reduces the swelling and growth of new blood vessels that prevent the damage of the eye (retina) (16). the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) that causes bronchiolitis in adults and pneumonia in infants (18).
6. Treat lung disease
Ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces allergic airway inflammation and treats respiratory disorders (17).
It contains gingerol and shogoals that help to treat allergic asthma. It also fights against the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) that causes bronchiolitis in adults and pneumonia in infants (18).
7. Treat obesity
Ginger and ginger water contains gingerol which inhibits body weight gain by boosting metabolism. It also helps to lower lipid levels in serum and liver and promotes lipid excretion through feces. Thus, ginger controls body weight, preventing obesity and obesity-associated diseases (19).
Health benefits of garlic combined with ginger
1. Boost immunity
The combined extract of garlic and ginger possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune booster effects (20).
This extract helps to remove harmful radicals from the body, prevent obesity and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Therefore ginger with garlic may be useful in the management of inflammatory-related diseases and boost the immune system (21).
2. Anti-aging properties
Gingerol, allicin, and eugenol found in ginger, garlic, and tulsi are beneficial for aging patients to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation (22).
3. Anti covid properties
Intake and steam inhalation of Garlic and/or ginger help to clear the lungs of the virus and enhance antiviral immunity (23).
4. Antimicrobial properties
It contains tannins, saponins, phenolic compounds, essential oils, and flavonoids. These compounds help to treat infection caused by pathogenic bacteria and protect from drug-resistant microbial diseases. Moreover, due to their antimicrobial properties ginger and garlic are extending the shelf life of food (24).
5. Treat cough and asthma
Traditionally a mixture of ginger, garlic, and honey juice, serves as a remedy for cough and asthma (25).
6. Treat brain-related disorders
The combination of ginger, garlic, and chili peppers enhances cognitive performance and improves memory impairment. They exhibit high levels of antioxidants, reduce swelling and enhance blood flow to the brain (26).
7. Inhibit platelet aggregation
Garlic, ginger, and onion can inhibit the formation of blood clots by reduction of platelet clumping (27).
8. Treat skin injury
The herbal mixture consisting of ginger, garlic, and coconut oil reduces inflammation which can help the healing process in soft tissue injury (28).
9. Manage diabetes and cholesterol level
Garlic in combination with ginger decreases blood glucose and cholesterol level much more effectively than either alone (29). Thus ginger and garlic help in both protection and prevention against the complications of diabetes and heart disease (30).
10. Improve reproductive hormone
Ginger and garlic contain antioxidant compounds, improve the concentration of reproductive hormones and reduce testicular damage (32).
Q&A
How to unblock arteries with garlic ginger and lemon?
A bioactive compound like allicin (in garlic), gingerol (in ginger), and erycosytryn, and hesperidin flavones (in lemon) prevent clot formation (37).
Also, reduce swelling, blood pressure, and bad cholesterol levels in the body. Moreover, they increase good cholesterol levels and remove excess cholesterol from arteries. Thus intake of mixed herbal drinks made from garlic ginger and lemon is beneficial to unblock arteries (38).
What is boiled garlic, ginger, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar with honey good for?
This mixed herbal drink shows positive changes in both health and emotional status in a person. This mixed herbal drink treats oxidative stress, removes harmful radicals, reduces blood glucose levels and liver injury. Thus, intake of this drink for six months helps to reduce cholesterol levels and treat primary cases of coronary heart disease (38).
How to store garlic and ginger?
Direct sunlight can spoil both garlic and ginger, and to keep them fresh, leave the skin on during storage. Garlic does best in a ventilated, cool and dry place with a temperature of around 60 °F (16 °C). You can put it in a mesh bag, wire basket, or paper bag. The easiest way to store ginger at home is refrigerated in a zipper bag and use as needed.
Where can I buy ginger juice and garlic juice?
You can buy ginger and garlic juice from a local wall-mart or online.
What are the health benefits of garlic and ginger?
Garlic and ginger are the most popular and commonly used spice in the world. It has many health benefits like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, and immunity booster. They are also effective in treating skin, liver, and kidney damage. Also, improve blood circulation, and prevent heart disease, etc.