I’ve never really suffered with allergic hay fever reactions. The same cannot be said for everyone in our household.
The runny nose and itchy-scratchy-want-to-rip-them-out eyes have regularly been a curse that has just about been held at bay by the highest dose of over-the-counter medicines. Sometimes we resorted to prescription medicines.
Problem solved.
Unless, of course, you can’t take the meds because you’re pregnant. ARGH!
Whilst you can’t get it on prescription, there is a surprising natural alternative that you may not have tried. It’s not just for those who are pregnant. You don’t need to be over 18 to buy it. You don’t have to go any further than the fresh fruit and veg aisle of your local supermarket to find it.
Since regularly taking fresh ginger, our family’s hay fever suffering has been almost completely obliterated. Now, don’t imagine us all chewing on a lump of ginger root – there’s a much easier way to get your daily dose. In order to do this nicely you’ll need a device called a juicer.
The ginger shot
Lots of people have done “shots”, but this is one that even the kids can do. Well, perhaps not the very youngest. From about age 4 and up in our family, the ginger shot makes a regular appearance as a pre-breakfast treat to wake us up!
Ginger has a real kick so this is not a drink you’ll want to savour. The general recommendation is to start off with a relatively small piece of ginger and increase it with your tolerance.
Ingredients:
- 1 chunk of ginger root per person
- 1/2 apple per person
Method:
- Run the apple and ginger through your juicer.
- Knock it back.
Why is this so good?
Ginger has been described as the “king of anti-inflammatory foods”. With inflammation being the root of a vast array of chronic health conditions, taking a natural anti-inflammatory will significantly reduce your chances of developing inflammatory diseases, without the side-effects of man-made drugs.
The essential oils in ginger, gingerols, not only interrupt the inflammation process but cause a rapid and noticeable widening of the blood vessel walls, enhancing circulation and lowering blood pressure.
Improving your circulation means your body can transport oxygen, nutrients and white blood cells to the site of infection more efficiently and enhance the removal of waste. It’s also beneficial for circulatory conditions such as Reynaud’s
Not only is ginger is anti-inflammatory, but it’s also antiviral, antiseptic, antihistamine and is a natural antibiotic. It contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C and E. Copper, Potassium, Sodium, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Phosphorus and Magnesium.
As you would expect, solving hay-fever isn’t the only thing that ginger is good for. Research has found it effective for:
- Reducing the risk of stroke,
- Nausea relief,
- Curbing a variety of digestive disorders,
- Boosting the immune system,
- Managing pain,
- Inhibiting growth of cancers
- Improving diabetes and enhancing insulin sensitivity.
References
https://draxe.com/10-medicinal-ginger-health-benefits/
http://www.juicetherapy.co.uk/ginger/
