Ginger boosts the immune system
Ginger may help soothe throat pain and improve your recovery time. The reason: Ginger’s compounds may enhance immunity.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses. This includes common
colds, the flu, and mononucleosis. Cold medications cannot kill
viruses. But ginger might.
One laboratory study showed ginger stimulated the immune
system to kill viruses. These results suggest that ginger has the potential to
reduce incidences of sore throat, provide quicker symptom relief, and improve
recovery time. Tests in humans are needed to confirm these results
SUMMARY: Ginger promotes immune responses to kill viruses. Many sore
throats are caused by viral infections that cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Ginger may provide sore throat relief and speed up recovery time.
US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of
Health, 9th Jan 2013
Study results : Fresh
ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory
syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Ginger,
Zingiber officinale Roscoe, is a common spice and also a widely used medicinal
plant in ancient China. Ginger is an ingredient of Ge-Gen-Tang (Kakkon-to;
GGT). GGT has been proved to have antiviral activity against human respiratory
syncytial virus (HRSV). However, it is unknown whether ginger is effective
against HRSV.
You may be able to fend off the next respiratory virus making
its way around your office, school or neighborhood by using ginger, according
to a study published in the November 2012 issue of the "Journal of
Ethnopharmacology." The tissue culture study found that fresh ginger
prevented human respiratory syncytial virus, or HRSV, from attaching to and
infecting upper respiratory tract cells. Doses of 300 micrograms per mililiter
of fresh ginger stimulated the respiratory cells to secrete an anti-viral
protein called interferon-beta. Ginger also inhibits mucous production and
helps clear up congestion, according to Dr. Sandra Cabot, author of the book
"The Juice Fasting Bible: Discover the Power of an All-Juice Diet to
Restore Good Health, Lose Weight and Increase Vitality."
AIM OF THE STUDY:
To find a
readily available agent to manage HRSV infection, the authors tested the
hypothesis that ginger can effectively decrease HRSV-induced plaque formation
in respiratory mucosal cell lines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Effect of
hot water extracts of fresh and dried gingers on HRSV was tested by plaque
reduction assay in both human upper (HEp-2) and low (A549) respiratory tract
cell lines. Ability of ginger to stimulate anti-viral cytokines was evaluated
by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS:
Fresh
ginger dose-dependently inhibited HRSV-induced plaque formation in both HEp-2
and A549 cell lines (p<0.0001). In contrast, dried ginger didn't show any
dose-dependent inhibition. 300 μg/ml fresh ginger could decrease the plaque
counts to 19.7% (A549) and 27.0% (HEp-2) of that of the control group. Fresh
ginger was more effective when given before viral inoculation (p<0.0001),
particularly on A549 cells. 300 μg/ml fresh ginger could decrease the plaque
formation to 12.9% when given before viral inoculation. Fresh ginger
dose-dependently inhibited viral attachment (p<0.0001) and internalization
(p<0.0001). Fresh ginger of high concentration could stimulate mucosal cells
to secrete IFN-β that possibly contributed to counteracting viral infection.
CONCLUSIONS:
Fresh,
but not dried, ginger is effective against HRSV-induced plaque formation on
airway epithelium by blocking viral attachment and internalization.
Ginger is a magical ingredient, especially if
you’re already feeling under the weather. The antioxidant is believed to fight
off cold and flu symptoms, combat nausea, and is full of iron, zinc, calcium
and magnesium. However, it’s worth noting that a study from 2013 showed fresh
ginger may help boost the body’s respiratory system, but dry ginger did not
show the same results. It’s also great to your gut, according to research which
shows ginger can help with digestion and constipation. ‘A warming herb, known
as “the universal medicine”, in Ayurveda,’ says Euan MacLennan, herbal director
at Pukka Herbs and medical herbalist at an NHS practice in London. ‘Ginger
stimulates defensive responses in the upper respiratory and digestive mucosa
helping the body fend off infections. I would recommend ginger for bacterial
and viral infections such as colds, flu, chest infections and sore
throats. ‘
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