In our previous article, we talked about inflammation and why you want to recognize it to improve your thyroid and hormonal health.
Make sure to check it out here https://www.thyroidboss.com/post/thyroid-how-to-stop-inflammation-if-you-want-to-heal, if you have not yet.
Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale, has been used as an herbal remedy for thousands of years.
The great advantages of ginger are that you can use it freshly diced in your teas or food recipes, as a supplement, as an essential oil, and as an herbal tincture.
Ginger is powerful at reducing inflammation, necessary when dealing with autoimmune thyroid conditions. You want to reduce inflammation if you have thyroid diseases (https://www.thyroidboss.com/post/thyroid-how-to-stop-inflammation-if-you-want-to-heal).
Compounds in ginger have pharmacological properties that are similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This makes it a powerful natural anti-inflammatory treatment.
How can Ginger reduce inflammation?
Ginger contains many molecules that can reduce inflammation. Specifically, it works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes by suppressing 5-lipoxygenase or prostaglandin synthetase.
Not only that but also Ginger can inhibit proinflammatory cytokines, which are associated with autoimmune conditions, including Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s.
There are at least 115 constituents in fresh and dried ginger varieties, and ginger has been fractionated into the following 14 bioactive compounds.
The major pharmacological activity of ginger appears to be attributed to gingerols and shogaols. Of these 14 bioactive compounds listed, 6-gingerol is the most well-studied bioactive compound of ginger.
How else can Ginger help you with?
Nausea and vomiting: especially in the essential oil form, ginger proved to work well on decreasing nausea and vomiting.
Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Anticancer as it modulates the activity of inflammatory mediators
Neurological disorders
Obesity
How can Ginger help with Hashimoto's and Graves' Disease?
Ginger can modulate proinflammatory (increase inflammation) cytokines and Th17. Th17 and IL 17 are highly expressed in Hashimoto's and Graves' Disease. Ginger can reduce Th 17 and IL 17, thus decreasing the activity of your thyroid autoimmune disease.
Ginger increases glutathione levels. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant needed in the case of thyroid diseases, where oxidative stress increases.
Ginger can improve gut health
Is it always safe to use Ginger?
Overall ginger is recognized as being safe also in case of pregnancy, even by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
However, it can:
Cause allergic reactions
Have an anticoagulant effect (reduce blood clotting)
Let us know about you:
Have you tried Ginger?
If so, how do you prefer taking Ginger?