The germs and viruses have really struck in the last few weeks. Stress, lack of sleep and water give them an easy time. The body loses its resistance and starts to become ill. There are numerous home remedies to protect yourself from sore throats, coughs and thick noses. But few are as effective as the HEALING PLANT OF THE YEAR 2018: ginger.

Hip medicinal plant 2018

For the last 15 years, a medicinal plant of the year has been chosen in Germany. In 2018 it is ginger. Botanically it is called Zingiber officinale. The ginger tuber looks inconspicuous from the outside. Their light corky coloration looks almost dirty. As if they had just been pulled out of the ground. The bulb’s bulging branches appear almost awkward. But the yellow interior under the bark is something to behold. Ginger is not only an extremely tasty, spicy tuber vegetable, but also a real vitality booster. The tuber, which originates from Asia, has been used as a remedy in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In recent years, German star chefs and creative start-ups have also discovered the wonder tuber for themselves. Ginger has now also achieved hip status in Germany.

The magic word is: Gingerol

If you bite into a piece of ginger, you’ll feel it immediately: IT’S HOT. The tongue burns. The aftertaste reveals a hint of a sweet and spicy lemon aroma. The secondary plant substance gingerol is responsible for the spiciness. This pungent agent is primarily responsible for the healing effect of ginger.

Fresh ginger works:

• anti-inflammatory
• antispasmodic
• analgesic

These soothing properties help with diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract without any side effects. The body gets quick immediate help with colds and flu-like infections. Hildegard von Bingen and Paracelsus already used ginger for healing purposes. To this day, the miracle tuber is successfully used as a household remedy for colds, bronchitis and asthma, stomach and intestinal complaints, headaches, toothache and rheumatism. Research is being carried out with superfoods in almost all medical fields. Particularly exciting is the good antioxidant effect of the tuber for cell protection. This makes ginger very interesting in the context of cancer research.

Spicy superfood loves water

Water and ginger is the perfect combination! Regardless of whether it’s a feverish flu, a tough cough or a runny nose, the body needs one thing: water. Fluid intake should be significantly increased for these diseases. Here, the healing power of ginger can be perfectly combined with water for drinking. As the gingerol from a few slices of peeled ginger dissolves quickly in water, both cold and hot water are suitable for a revitalizing ginger drink.

Add a pinch of cinnamon or turmeric for a change of flavor. Both spices also have anti-inflammatory properties.

A few leaves of fresh peppermint or lemon balm can also spice up the flavor of warm ginger tea or cold ginger water. They refresh and support the healing process. Lemon balm has a relaxing effect and peppermint has antibacterial properties. Both are therefore ideal for adding to cold teas.

Caution is advised with excessive consumption of ginger tea or ginger water during pregnancy. Because ginger can stimulate labor. This property can also be used helpfully shortly before the birth.