Before diving into the ginger bath, let me share with you some information about ginger, a powerful health-enhancing root.
Ginger is a tropical species originating in South East Asia, but the exact origin of this rhizome is uncertain. As Ginger is not known to grow in the wild, the plant would have rapidly spread from the Indian Ocean to Africa and the West Indies, where it is most widely cultivated today.
Pythagoras the ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher was one of its staunch supporters, and the Romans -who valued its medicinal properties and popularized its use throughout their European colonies- brought Ginger to Europe. King Henri the 8th of England is said to have used ginger for protection against the plague.
For centuries, Arab merchants controlled the ginger trade as well as other exotic spices that were highly sought after by the Europeans for culinary and medicinal use.
Ginger is also mentioned in the literature of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has found its way into the most classic of ancient remedies, the "Mithridate", a mythical poison antidote, which was one of the most highly sought-after drugs during the Renaissance.
Ginger Bath
What prompted me to write this article is the incredible experience I personally had with the ginger bath.
I had been feeling cranky for a few days with flu symptoms I was unable to shake off. The fact that I was overwhelmed with work and in a deadly race against deadlines only made matters worse.
Feeling sorry for my misery, my friend Francine insisted I try a ginger bath, without going into much detail as to what happens in the process.
I obediently obliged and, in the evening, feeling shaky and achy, filled my bathtub with hot water and half a cup of grated ginger, as suggested. I gratefully eased myself into the warm and fragrant water.
Little did I expect what was going to happen next!
Within 5 minutes of lying in the bathtub, it felt like my body had turned into a tap! Sweat started pouring down my face and out of every single pore in my body in a way I had never experienced, not even while doing the most strenuous of sports! Not only during my 20-minute bath, but for the next couple of hours, completely soaking the bathrobe I was wearing.
I slept like a baby that night and, to my amazement, woke up feeling energetic, cleansed and ... completely symptom-free!
Is it magic?
Not at all! We all know by now that sweating is one of the most potent ways to get rid of toxins.
So, for those of us who don't have access to a sauna or steam bath, the ginger bath is a simple and sure way to sweat all those nasty toxins out of your body!
Ginger Recipes
Ginger Bath: You can use either fresh grated ginger or ginger powder. Add ½ a cup of freshly grated ginger or a rounded teaspoon of ginger powder in hot or warm water and soak for 15-20 minutes. Please remember that the ginger bath will make you sweat profusely for at least an hour afterwards, so wear a bathrobe or sweat clothes.
Make sure you drink plenty of water after the bath. If you have sensitive skin or are allergy-prone, test ginger on your skin for irritation before the bath.
Ginger Infusion Recipe: The ginger infusion works wonderfully in treating common cold and flu symptoms. Its effective anti-mucus properties relieve chest and nasal congestion, as well as inflammations. Finely chop a good piece of ginger (slightly smaller than your palm). This infusion will keep for up to 48 hours. Place in 1 litre of water and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, then let it steep for 10 minutes. Serve a ¾ mug of ginger and add ½ a squeezed lemon and 1 teaspoonful of honey, or to taste. Drink throughout the day as soon as you have cold or flu symptoms. This infusion will get rid of them in 48 hours!
Note: The longer the ginger soaks in the water, the sharper the taste becomes.
Ginger and Garlic Paste Recipe: Peel and chop 4 ounces of garlic and 4 ounces of fresh ginger root; mix ingredients in a blender; transfer to a jar and add one teaspoon of olive oil; refrigerate. Use a spoonful of this delicious blend as a base for flavouring your recipes.
Main Health-Enhancing Benefits of Ginger
o Calms nausea, including motion sickness dizzinesso Relieves gas and bloating
o Helps stop diarrhea
o Boosts digestion
o Calms menstrual cramps
o Relieves headaches
o Anti-inflamatory
o Stabilises blood pressure (equally when too high or too low)
o Lowers cholesterol
o Soothes cold and flu symptoms, as well as respiratory infections
o Known for its anti-cancer properties
o Freshens the breath naturally
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have been known and valued for centuries. Modern Medicine have now provided scientific support for the long-held belief that ginger contains constituents with anti-inflammatory properties as well as lessen the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
Ginger is also known to encourage blood circulation. Be cautious in using ginger with anti-coagulants. Consult with your physician if you take them.
If you're looking to lose weight, then the Detox Bath is an ideal addition to your routine. A combination of the Detox Bath with the occasional ginger bath is all you need to maintain a naturally healthy, fit and symptom and toxin-free body.
Randa Khalil
Co author, Detox Bath
Ebook published by DreamTeam Publishing Ltd, UK
Visit: http://www.pureinsideout.com/ezine-articles-index
for more simple safe and natural detox methods.
2 comments:
I have not heard of the ginger bath, I had no idea that it could help so many conditions. It just shows how much a detox can help.
I would give that a try to detox myself. Sounds good!
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