TYLER TOLMAN BLOG
Unbelievable Health Benefits of Garlic & Ginger
Unbelievable Health Benefits of Garlic & Ginger
Individually, garlic and ginger contain some unbelievable health benefits and, let’s be honest, pretty sure they are a staple for nearly every recipe due to their deliciousness.
But together, along with their many big medicinal properties, they are an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory super power duo.
Healthy Digestion & Stomach Support
If you know me, you know that I advocate for maintaining a health gut as the number one factor for avoiding disease. Both ginger and garlic play a big role in this, stimulating digestion and bowel function.
Ginger helps by managing blood sugar levels to support the stomach (Doctrine of Signatures suggests ginger looks like the stomach), while garlic keeps everything running smoothly, helping to avoid bloating and any irritations that could initiate vomiting or diarrhea.
Ginger, particularly, has been used as an ancient natural remedy to ease symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea, vomiting, headaches and even vertigo. For these reasons, it is also fantastic with decreasing morning sickness during pregnancy.
With ginger’s ability to decrease blood sugar levels and garlic having the ability to strengthen insulin levels in the blood, this combo has shown to have some benefits as a diabetes treatment.
Combating Cold & Flu Symptoms
It’s certainly no secret that both garlic and ginger are an amazing natural medicine for treating the cold and flu. Garlic is a great way to boost your immune system to help ward off a cold and flu, while ginger contains antiviral properties, most commonly consumed in a tea, to assist with decreasing these cold and flu symptoms.
Another great reason to have garlic and ginger on hand for treating colds and flu is because of their antibacterial qualities and their ability to relieve congestion and loosen phlegm. Ginger, containing a compound called gingerol, is a natural cough suppressant, relieves congestion, eases aching muscles and soothes a sore throat. Garlic, due to producing Allicin, is considered to be an antibiotic, to help fight infections.
As I mentioned before….SUPER POWER DUO.
And since garlic works as a natural antibiotic, it then works amazingly for bacterial and fungal infections also.
Your Anti-inflammatory Friend
I mentioned above about containing anti-inflammatory properties, making ginger and garlic effective for easing headaches. Ginger has shown to decrease the severity and symptoms of headaches by blocking prostaglandins (chemicals that induce inflammation in the brain’s blood vessels). And garlic, along with onions and leeks, contain diallyl disulfide, which is an anti-inflammatory compound.
Having anti-inflammatory benefits also makes these kitchen staples great for easing arthritis, joint pain and many other inflammatory diseases.
Outside of their natural state, both garlic and ginger are available in various forms, such as dried powder, paste, capsules or extract, making it easier than ever to incorporate garlic and ginger into your lifestyle.
Whether you add these ‘flavour bombs with healing powers’ into your meals as daily health boosters or take them as instant remedies to help relieve a wide variety of conditions, your body will reap the benefits.
Thanks for reading!
