Benefits of Using Ginger to Help Respiratory Care Treatment

Blog written by: Sourav Pattanayak (M Pharm, MBA)

Biological source

Ginger has been obtained from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinalis belongings to the Zingiberaceae family. Zinger rhizomes are used as a medication for a long time.

Clinical uses of ginger

1. Ginger is used as a fresh rhizome, dried powder, and also in the form of oil and juice.
2. It helps in better digestion.
3. Helps to improve respiratory health.
4. Raw ginger can also boost immunity.
5. Ginger helps with nausea and stomach upset problem.
6. Used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
7. Helps to reduce pain and alter the skin texture.
8. Help in brain function and improves cardiovascular health.

Role of Ginger in respiratory care

1. Decongestion effect- Ginger has a property of expectorant which helps to loosen the mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tract. It also provides relief from congestion in the common cold, respiratory infection, and flu.
2. Anti-inflammatory action- Ginger contains a phenolic compound called gingerols which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in respiratory conditions like bronchitis. It also helps to promote better respiratory functions.
3. Antioxidant property- It also has antioxidant properties to boost immunity and help protect against oxidative damage from respiratory symptoms. This antioxidant activity helps to contribute to overall respiratory health.
4. Antitussive action- Ginger is also used as a cough suppressant effect which can help to reduce a dry cough.
5. Sore throat treatment- It has a spicy flavour and a warming effect. It also has medicinal property that helps to prevent throat irritation.

Incorporation of ginger in respiratory care treatments

1. Ginger tea- To prepare fresh ginger tea, add a fresh ginger slice to hot water and let it boil. Drink this ginger tea 3 to 4 times a day to help from congestion and cough.
2. Ginger inhaler- In this method, you have to add ginger essential oil to the boiling water and inhale the steam which may help with nasal congestion. It helps free flow of the breathing process
3. Prepare soups- Ginger is also used to prepare soup for the throat irritation process. In this process, you add fresh slices of ginger to your regular soups.
4. Ginger juice- Prepare fresh juice of ginger with other ingredients and consume it.
5. Ginger and honey syrup- Take fresh ginger and cut it into small pieces and put it into hot water and boil for some time. When the water colour changes and the ginger extract get removed from it, cool the mixture and add honey to it and mix well. Take 2 tablespoons of this mixture every morning for a few days to soothe the respiratory discomfort

References

1. Mao QQ, Xu XY, Cao SY, Gan RY, Corke H, Beta T, Li HB. Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe). Foods. 2019 May 30;8(6):185. doi: 10.3390/foods8060185. PMID: 31151279; PMCID: PMC6616534.
2. Ballester P, Cerdá B, Arcusa R, Marhuenda J, Yamedjeu K, Zafrilla P. Effect of Ginger on Inflammatory Diseases. Molecules. 2022 Oct 25;27(21):7223. doi: 10.3390/molecules27217223. PMID: 36364048; PMCID: PMC9654013.
3. de Lima RMT, Dos Reis AC, de Menezes APM, Santos JVO, Filho JWGO, Ferreira JRO, de Alencar MVOB, da Mata AMOF, Khan IN, Islam A, Uddin SJ, Ali ES, Islam MT, Tripathi S, Mishra SK, Mubarak MS, Melo-Cavalcante AAC. Protective and therapeutic potential of ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract and [6]-gingerol in cancer: A comprehensive review. Phytother Res. 2018 Oct;32(10):1885-1907. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6134. Epub 2018 Jul 16. PMID: 30009484.
4. Semwal RB, Semwal DK, Combrinck S, Viljoen AM. Gingerols and shogaols: Important nutraceutical principles from ginger. Phytochemistry. 2015 Sep;117:554-568. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.07.012. Epub 2015 Jul 27. PMID: 26228533.