Everyone experiences heartburn at one time, at least, in their life. It can be an irritating situation. The stomach acid comes back up the food tube and irritates the lining of the food pipe. Some people experience this more often than necessary and could benefit from finding methods that may help ease the heartburn.
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When heartburn happens more frequently it is called GERD. This stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Physicians will most often prescribe medications or suggest over the counter products to help.
However, there is a simple solution that you can use and you likely have the ingredients you need right at home.
Ginger Tea
What exactly is ginger tea? Can it be bought at the local market? Ginger tea is a hot beverage or cold beverage that is made with water and ginger root. It can be purchased in tea bags all ready for you to steep with hot water.
Ginger has been used for centuries as herbal medicine. Ginger has been added to cooking to add flavour, for just as long.
Ginger is a root that is native to the South part of China. However, it will grow in most warm climates. Ginger is considered a staple in Chinese medicine, although, like other medicines and foods, too much of a good thing can hurt you. Too much would be considered more than 4 grams a day.
Ginger is known to have a peppery, which some call spicy, a tiny bit of sweet and also a little bit of citrus flavour.
Ginger is used in baked goods, a staple in Chinese cooking and also makes a great beverage. When making tea adding a small spoonful of honey helps the flavour be more palatable.
Ginger tea is quite simple to make. Add a pint of water to a saucepan and add in some sliced and peeled ginger, let it boil for a few minutes, cover and let it sit for an additional three minutes.
Use of Ginger
Many people will remember their parents giving them Ginger Ale when they were children and had an upset stomach. Ginger is an ingredient that can naturally calm the stomach and relax the lining of the food tube, thus preventing or greatly reducing Acid Reflux. Again, home remedy that worked very well for the majority of people. Plus, children thought they were getting a special treat by being allowed to drink Ginger Ale.
Today, those children may still be using ginger to aid them during bouts of acid reflux. With ginger tea, instead of soda. When it comes to Acid Reflux, the best thing to do is to avoid the foods or beverages that trigger the reflux. Ginger tea can help ease acid reflux, and ginger tea can also help with motion sickness, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Two compounds that are found in ginger are given the credit for the majority of benefits. These two compounds are called Shogaols and Gingerols. They are the main bioactive components.
There are supplements available with ginger. However, it is believed the best way to benefit from ginger is to add it to foods. Some researchers will agree that there are other ingredients that are not listed on the label. The research shows that the supplement industry is not as well regulated as it should be. For a layman, it is difficult to know definitively the actual quantity of ginger in the supplements.
Natural ingredients are the best way to obtain the nutrients you need.
Benefits
Considering that Ginger has been used as a herbal medication for centuries, there are some benefits gained from the use of ginger. Ginger adds a spicy flavour to foods.
Helps coughs, colds, nausea and colds, by helping to improve your immune system. Ginger is also antibacterial and can help reduce the inflammation and the soreness in your throat. It is also known to help ease those deep coughs and enable you to cough up the mucous. It is believed that the compounds in ginger work to help relax the membranes which ease the coughs.
It may help to manage blood pressure and support a healthy heart
It may help with weight loss and blood sugar levels. This is due to increasing thermogenesis, the heat the body produces which helps to break down fat tissues. Science also believes that ginger will help inhibit the storage of fat cells and fight against the absorption of fat. Research also backs the fact of ginger helps to control the appetite.
Some believe it helps pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis by reducing the inflamed area and thus reducing the pain. It is also believed that drinking at the beginning of a menstrual cycle, will ease the cramps.
Possible cancer-fighting compounds in Gingerol and Shogaols are believed to help stop cancer cell growth or multiplication of cells. Is believed to help protect the brain from oxidative stress. Inflammation is another sign of degenerative issues, such as Alzheimer’s.
Risks
As with all recommendations, there are risks to ginger as well. The risk is considered minor because the risk of eating too much ginger is very slim. There is also a risk of bleeding when too much ginger is consumed in total from foods, supplements and beverages.
Ginger Root versus Ginger Powder
Both options of ginger contain all the same properties. Fresh ginger will always taste better, the powder is far more economical. Fresh ginger will last for quite some time in the refrigerator, the powdered form has a very long shelf life.
Timing
Is there a better time than others to drink or consume ginger tea? Many in the medical field believe that ginger tea is the best drink in the morning. Since ginger tea is known as a detoxifier and energizer. When you drink ginger tea within the first half-hour of waking, it jump-starts your metabolism and ends the morning fasting.
This ancient medicinal herb gives your body a boost and helps in ways you would not think of. Most claims that pertain to the benefits of ginger and ginger tea have been backed up by the double-blind studies using placebo and actual ginger.
As an antioxidant, ginger has an amazingly powerful effect on the kidneys. Ginger calms the organ inflammation, reducing fibrosis and in general an overall healthier pair of kidneys. Ginger has been and is still considered a helpful digestive aid.
Ginger Tea has no caffeine in it, which makes it a good way to relax in the evening and may help you fall asleep faster. How can tea be beneficial in the morning and in the evening? It is the power of the ginger.
When drinking ginger tea with a slice of lemon at bedtime, the tea is known to help relieve indigestion, ease nausea, and also help to relieve nasal congestion. It is also believed that ginger tea may also help constipation as it helps the digestive tract. The constipation is eliminated or aided due to the hydration abilities of the ginger used in ginger and lemon tea.
One negative of drinking ginger tea at night may cause you to awaken and have to use the bathroom more often at night. Some people may have to drink tea one to two hours before they tend to go to bed, this should help you be able to remain in bed and sleep all night.
One of the biggest benefits is the fact that tea can help one to relax at the end of a busy day. Drinking a cup of hot tea helps your mind relax and focus inward on what the self needs. That time to relax and think of nothing. This is called mindfulness.
Ginger is one of the world’s oldest natural herbal medications, used for centuries by the Chinese, native Americans, Asians and more. Ginger has been used for digestive issues for centuries and straight through today.
Ginger Tea is a popular method of easing stomach upset, heartburn and acid reflux. It helps with constipation, it is an antibiotic of sorts to help fight infections. It relaxes the mind, maintains a good glucose level, and helps control appetite. There is not much that ginger tea is not capable of helping the body with.
Ginger can be used in beverages and also as an added flavouring in food and cuisines in many cultures.
Conclusion
If you find that your Acid Reflux is not being helped by consuming ginger or drinking ginger tea, it is imperative that you contact your Physician and speak with him or her. There is a possibility that you have been attempting to treat Acid reflux and it is something much more serious going on. Only your physician is going to be able to determine this.
It is also likely that the Physician is going to prescribe medication to assist with the Acid reflux. It will likely contain the same compounds as ginger, however, it will also contain what is needed to relax the food tube and prevent the Acid from backing up the food tube.