Turmeric and ginger are two sensitive ingredients in herbal medicine that have gotten the most extensive study. Interestingly, these ingredients have been used for centuries to treat a range of ailments, including migraines, fatigue, and chronic inflammation. So, knowing some exclusive benefits of turmeric and ginger can keep you healthy, reduce nausea, relieve pain, and enhance immune function.
In this article, we have listed the 15 most effective and mind-blowing benefits of turmeric and ginger that are worth knowing.
How To Use Ginger and Turmeric
You can add ginger or turmeric in several ways to your diet to enjoy its benefits. These two ingredients are perfect for making stir-fries, salad dressings, and sauces to offer health benefits and a surge of flavor.
Fresh ginger is good for making ginger snaps, soothing tea, smoothies, soups, and curries.
Ginger root extract is also available in the form of a supplement, which is most effective if you can get it in doses of around 1500 to 2000 mg regularly.
Conversely, turmeric is suitable for adding color to dishes like frittatas, dips, casseroles, and dressings.
Despite this, pairing turmeric with a dash of black pepper will help boost its absorption in the body by up to 2,000%.
Turmeric supplements also deliver a more concentrated dosage of curcumin and taking doses of 500 mg twice a day lowers the inflammation and pain.
Fortunately, turmeric and ginger are available in plenty of forms, including dried, fresh, and supplements, making them easy to add to the diet.
Benefits of Turmeric and Ginger
Though the evidence on the effects of ginger and turmeric isn’t huge, research shows lots of benefits of turmeric and ginger.
Reduce Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is believed to play a key role in improving conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
It also lowers the signs related to autoimmune conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric and ginger contain dominant anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain and protect from disease.
Relieve Pain
Both turmeric and ginger have a great ability to offer release from chronic pain. Research shows that curcumin, which is an active ingredient in turmeric, is particularly effective at reducing the pain caused by arthritis.
A number of studies that suggest taking 1,000 mg of curcumin can effectively reduce joint pain.
Ginger is also effective for reducing chronic pain related to arthritis and several other conditions. Despite this, taking 500 mg of ginger root powder three times a day reduces the intensity and duration of menstrual pain.
Another study shows that taking 2 grams of ginger for 11 days reduces muscle pain that can be caused by exercise.
Support Immune Function
Turmeric and ginger are the first choices among many people to improve immune function and fluoride symptoms. Some studies show that ginger especially possesses powerful immune-boosting properties.
A test tube study shows that fresh ginger is greatly effective against HRSV (human respiratory syncytial virus) caused by respiratory tract infections in children, and adults.
According to another test-tube study, ginger extract inhibits the growth of plenty of strains of respiratory tract pathogens.
A mouse study proves that taking ginger extract jammed the activation of plenty of pro-inflammatory immune cells and reduced the signs of seasonal allergies like sneezing.
Both turmeric and ginger reduce the levels of inflammation to enhance immune function.
Decrease Nausea
Several researchers found that ginger is an effective natural remedy that can reduce nausea and soothe the stomach.
According to a study, taking 1 gram of ginger powder a day for one week is effective enough to reduce pregnancy-related nausea.
A study also shows that taking 1 gram of ginger daily helps decrease post-operative nausea and vomiting.
Ginger can also reduce nausea that can be caused by chemotherapy, motion sickness, and certain gastrointestinal disorders.
Though the studies aren’t much to measure the effects of turmeric on nausea, some indicate that it can protect against digestive issues and lower symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Lastly, turmeric and ginger can reduce markers of inflammation, reduce nausea, relieve chronic pain, and improve immune function.
Antioxidant-Rich
Turmeric and ginger are great sources of protective compounds. Ginger contains antioxidants that prevent heart disease and cancer, particularly when paired with garlic.
Turmeric has more of an antioxidant punch and it is 7 times closer to the antioxidants than ginger.
There are numerous methods for measuring antioxidant capacity, and each method yields slightly different results. But turmeric and ginger are rich in antioxidants.
Heart-Healthy
Apart from protecting the brain and muscles, tuberous roots keep the heart healthy. If the plaque and platelets get stuck in the blood vessels, it can cause high blood pressure. Therefore, the stress on the heart can increase due to the pumping of blood.
Ginger enhances blood circulation to prevent plaque and blood clots that can cause getting stuck. Turmeric lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation.
Turmeric also reduces the cholesterol which is absorbed in the gut to protect against other heart conditions like coronary heart disease. However, it still requires more research to measure the relationship between cholesterol and turmeric.
Cancer-Blocking
According to the journal JCO Global Oncology, spices play a great role in preventing cancer, and turmeric and ginger are top among them. These species block the growth of nitroamides and carcinogenic nitroamines.
Apart from that, turmeric boasts extra advantages for smokers too. Its roots excrete carcinogenic compounds, which are dangerous for health as they improve the protective elements in the body, such as antioxidants.
Stomach-Soothing
Ginger is a famous home remedy for nausea. If you are wondering about the science, several researchers find that ginger soothes an upset stomach. Ginger contains gingerol, which communicates with the serotonin receptors in the brain to relieve discomfort. This is also a great treatment for people on chemotherapy and pregnant women.
Immune-Boosting
Ginger is preferable for the common cold. According to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, ginger affects airway mucus creation to dampen viral attachment. Turmeric also offers anti-inflammatory benefits to protect against influenza and pneumonia.
Good for Diabetes
Turmeric ginger tea is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce blood sugar levels, making it the best supplemental treatment for diabetes. But if you are suffering from diabetes, talk to a doctor before starting to take turmeric ginger tea. This way, you can make sure that the turmeric doesn’t interfere with any of the medications.
Even if you don’t have diabetes, you can still consume turmeric ginger tea regularly to keep your blood sugar levels low.
Fights Alzheimer’s Disease
Turmeric ginger tea brings benefits to the brain. Research finds that it promotes neural activity in the brain. Turmeric ginger tea prevents the buildup of toxic materials like beta-amyloids in the brain, which cause Alzheimer’s disease. That’s why turmeric ginger tea is preferable for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Improves Digestion
Turmeric and ginger are powerful antidotes to treat digestive issues like nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, and motion sickness. These ingredients fight against indigestion. Ginger particularly clears up the intestinal tract to ensure the soft movement of food through the digestive system. On the other hand, turmeric fights stomach aches, bloating, and gas.
Helps Lower Cholesterol
Turmeric ginger tea contains anti-cholesterol properties, and it relieves patients suffering from high cholesterol. It can naturally reduce the bad LDL cholesterol. Ginger especially clears up the blood and avoids the growth of blood clots. Therefore, these ingredients prevent stroke and heart attack.
That’s why turmeric ginger tea is an effective natural treatment for high cholesterol. However, it should be taken regularly for people who are at risk of stroke or heart attack.
Improves Skin Health
Turmeric is a great ingredient to treat skin conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. The gingerols in turmeric ginger tea are brilliant antioxidant and antibacterial compounds that can effectively protect skin from infection. This way, it promotes the growth of new cells and prevents the symptoms of aging, like blemishes and wrinkles.
Fights Against Infections
The ginger in turmeric has great antibacterial properties to easily rival those present in antibiotics.
Ginger can kill streptococcus pyogenes bacteria and staphylococcus aureus very easily and efficiently. Curcumin with turmeric is the strongest herbal antifungal, which is more potent compared to oregano and clove.
Promotes Emotional Well-being
Last but not the least, turmeric ginger tea is excellently helpful for treating depression and mood disorders. Curcumin in turmeric encourages the growth of serotonin and dopamine, which are reliable for antidepressant effects. Geraniol, present in ginger, protects against stress.
Potential Side Effects
Ginger and turmeric are considered healthy and safe for a well-rounded diet if used in moderation.
Still, turmeric and ginger can have some side effects that you should consider.
Some studies show that ginger can reduce blood clotting and interfere with blood thinners if the starter uses it in high amounts.
Since ginger affects blood sugar levels, if you want to take medications to lower the level, consult with a healthcare provider before starting.
Despite this, remember that the turmeric powder is made of around 3% curcumin by weight. So you have to take a large amount to get the desired dosage.
But taking a high dosage can increase the risk of headaches, rashes, and diarrhea. Though the risk of health effects of turmeric and ginger is plentiful, proof of their effectiveness is limited.
So talk to a healthcare provider before starting these supplements and reduce the dosage if you feel any side effects.
Finally, ginger can reduce blood sugar levels and blood clotting. Taking a high dosage, of turmeric can cause plenty of side effects like headaches, rashes, and diarrhea.
Make a Cup of Tea and Feel It…
Turmeric Tea
Curcumin contains low bioavailability, which causes the body to have a hard time accessing and absorbing the compound. Therefore, turmeric supplements and their guaranteed high concentrations of curcumin are so famous.
You can find plenty of ways to make turmeric tea, including:
- Pure turmeric powder
- Grated turmeric root
- Store-bought turmeric tea
Best Turmeric Supplements In the Market Right Now
Ginger Tea
Apart from the name, ginger tea isn’t a tea and it doesn’t have any tea. Instead, it is made of fresh ginger and boiled water.
Ginger tea is used both for culinary and medicinal purposes. Despite this, it’s a great treatment for nausea, inflammation, weight management, high blood pressure, pain, and more.
Ginger tea is available in prepared teas or ginger-flavored tea bags. But these include flavored tea leaves instead of ginger alone.
FAQs
Is it safe to take turmeric and ginger together?
Turmeric combines well with ginger and other seasonings like black pepper, cinnamon, garlic, cumin, and vinegar. So you can safely consume these ingredients with milk, hot water, and honey for a comforting tea.
What is the right dosage to drink turmeric and ginger?
There is no exact measurement or standard dosage for drinking turmeric and ginger. But the turmeric ginger tea is highly powerful. So you should take it moderately to enjoy its health benefits. For starters, it’s recommended to drink 1-2 cups every day.
Can I drink turmeric and ginger at night?
Drinking turmeric and ginger at night lowers inflammation and offers a more refreshed wake-up feeling. These also include properties that increase relaxation, reduce inflammation, and help ease pain in the lower extremities.
Final words
The benefits of turmeric and ginger aren’t limited. These are yummy and delicious culinary pairings as well as boast lots of synergistic health benefits. From relieving pain to boosting immunity, turmeric and ginger are highly beneficial for health and the mind. However it can bring plenty of health diseases, so you should be careful.
