Can Ginger and Turmeric Help Fight Pain and Sickness?

What Are Turmeric and Ginger?

Turmeric and ginger are Rhizomes - extracted parts of the roots of specific trees. Both spices have proven very valuable - both in the kitchen and in traditional medicine.

The source of Turmeric is the root of the Curcuma longa plant. This spice has an active compound called Curcumin behind its medical powers and vibrant yellow colour. It is usually a component of curry powders. Alone, it’s a spice that is earthy and bitter to taste.

We get Ginger from the root of the Zingiber officinale plant. Ginger is very medicinal. It improves digestion and general gut health and may be applied fresh, dried, or in powdered form. It has a sharp and spicy taste.

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Ginger and Turmeric are famous for their combined effect. They work better together than apart.

Combined Health Benefits of Turmeric and Ginger

We’ve established previously the individual medicinal value of turmeric and ginger. But what exactly happens when both are combined? Are they truly more powerful together?

Benefits of Turmeric and Ginger

Here are some benefits of a Turmeric -Ginger combination:

Reduce Inflammation and Pain

Both Turmeric and Ginger have the medicinal properties needed to keep arthritis and heart disease at bay by reducing inflammation. Put them together and they'll bring relief to pain and swelling by improving joint mobility and comfort.

Support Immune Function

While ginger fights infections, turmeric strengthens the immune system. Combined and used regularly, the body’s immune system stays strong throughout the year. The body remains cold/flu-proof.

According to Diane Kress, Medical Nutrition Therapy at Diane Kress

Turmeric and ginger are two of the most studied natural remedies for inflammation and digestive health. When combined, their active compounds—curcumin and gingerol—can deliver powerful, complementary benefits that support the immune system, reduce chronic pain, and promote overall wellness.

Aid Digestion and Reduce Nausea

Both spices support gut health. Ginger soothes nausea by aiding digestion. Turmeric allows the body to digest fats more easily by facilitating healthy bile production. United, they keep the blowing away and ease digestive discomfort.

Enhance Mental Clarity and Mood

With Turmeric’s curcumin, inflammation is reduced drastically, which supports brain function. With ginger improving mental clarity and focus, they make a good mood and cognitive support team.

Boost All-round Wellness

The antioxidants in Turmeric and ginger protect cells from damage. Putting them together results in healthier skin, more energy, and heart strength.

Incorporating Turmeric and Ginger Into Your Diet

You've come along nicely, learning the benefits of Turmeric and ginger. Now, check out some easy ways to have them in your diet:

Make Turmeric Ginger Tea

A cup of turmeric ginger tea is really quick and easy to make. All you need is to put some fresh ginger slices and a teaspoon of turmeric in hot water.

Add to Smoothies

Enjoy your favorite smoothie with fresh ginger or powdered turmeric. You're sure to get some added flavor and nutritional value.

Stir into Soups and Stews

Both turmeric and ginger are spices you could use to get some color and flavor into your soups and broth-based dishes.

Use in Stir-Fries and Curries

Turmeric and ginger can kick up the flavor of any stir-fry and curry. Works with any recipe: vegetables, tofu, chicken, or beef,

Bake with Turmeric and Ginger

Spice up your cookies with ginger, and add turmeric to your bread or muffins for that golden yellow color and earthy taste.

Consider Turmeric Ginger Supplements

Don't like to cook? Get you some Turmeric ginger supplements. They're convenient to get you some benefits of ginger and turmeric without the stress and heat of the kitchen.

Scientific Research on Turmeric and Ginger

Turmeric and ginger aren’t recent discoveries. People have known a bit about their healing properties for quite some time. So far, modern science hasn't countered these claims.

A lot of research has gone into studying Curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) as regards inflammation. Many clinical trials taken at random has shown curcumin to be much better at relieving pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis than the conventional ibuprofen and celecoxib.

A clinical trial involving 139 patients with osteoarthritis proved how much better using curcumin is at easing joint pain than the medication diclofenac. There were no side effects typically associated with pharmaceuticals. There's no better solution for people with chronic conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Better still, curcumin has proven instrumental in treating heart disease and diabetes. It has been shown to lower Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), both causes of such chronic illness.

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Now, let's talk about Ginger. It's also been very effective in the fight against inflammation and pain. Inflammation doesn't stand a chance with its active compound gingerol. To prove this, a study involving 247 participants with osteoarthritis who took ginger extract for 6 weeks had less pain and inflammation in the joints. Ginger is also very potent against muscle soreness, menstrual pain, and even headaches.

Both turmeric and ginger are rich in antioxidants. Curcumin boosts the activity of immune cells, such as T-cells and macrophages. Meanwhile, ginger has antimicrobial properties that help fight infections, particularly those related to the respiratory system.

Talking about Digestive health, ginger can effectively help with nausea caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy, or motion sickness. On the other hand, curcumin in turmeric stimulates bile production in the liver, which aids in the digestion of fats and soothes the digestive tract. Both are good help for those dealing with bloating or indigestion.