When the feelings of anxiety start to creep in, do you have a strategy to manage the feeling and move forward with your day? Ginger might be a natural option to consider. Not only has this traditional root been used throughout history for a variety of physical conditions, but people also started asking: does ginger her with anxiety?
The short answer: yes! Using ginger can be beneficial for people who experience anxiety. While it’s commonly been known as an anti-nausea remedy, ginger can be a powerful way to support many other functions throughout the body.
What Does Ginger Do to the Brain?
Ginger is a source of 14 bioactive compounds as well as antioxidant properties. Researchers have found that these compounds can have a positive benefit by sharpening cognitive function and helping to reduce damage related to oxidative stress.
One benefit of ginger is that it can influence serotonin levels, which has an impact on anxiety. In fact, it’s possible that ginger might be as effective as benzodiazepine drugs in reducing and treating anxiety.
What are the side effects of ginger?
This natural ingredient offers many health benefits, but it’s also important to consider any negative reactions that can occur from anything you are consuming. So when you are asking, “does ginger help with anxiety,” also research potential side effects of ginger.
When you are using ginger in small doses, there are minimal or no side effects. People experience side effects when they are using high amounts of ginger – over 5 grams each day. Side effects that can occur might include:
- Skin rashes
- Irritation in the mouth
- Upset stomach
- Digestive gas
- Heartburn
Some health experts have found that ginger might not be safe for people with bleeding disorders. Additionally, it’s wise to talk to your doctor about using ginger to avoid any medication interactions – especially if you are on blood thinners or medications for high blood pressure or diabetes.
The key to avoiding these adverse side effects of ginger is to make sure that you consume it in low doses.
The Benefits of Ginger for Brain Function
Not only can ginger help with anxiety, but there are other benefits of ginger for brain function. The anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial to boosting brain function and reducing the risk of common brain-related disorders:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Depression
- Dementia
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Suicidal tendencies
- Schizophrenia
Ginger contains two potent compounds: 6-shogaol and 10-gingerol, which increase blood flow in the brain and have an anti-inflammatory effect. When blood flow improves in the brain, it helps with nutrient delivery to the brain cells. At the same time, better blood flow is essential for removing toxins, debris, and metabolic waste.
Taking Ginger Daily for your Health
Using ginger daily is a great way to support overall health and wellness. Here are a few ways you can incorporate ginger into your routine:
- Cook with ginger in stir fry and curry dishes
- Drink ginger tea each morning
- Have a Hana Tonic shot every day
- Take ginger supplements
There’s no need to add too much ginger into your diet all at once. Instead, remember that these health benefits compound over time. So add a little each day to get the long-term benefits that you desire.
What is Ginger Serotonin Syndrome?
Serotonin Syndrome is a condition that can happen when people take certain medications that result in high levels of chemical serotonin that accumulate over time. Usually, if there is too much serotonin, it is the result of using one or more medications.
This can be a life-threatening condition, sometimes known as serotonin toxicity. It’s important to work with your doctor to find suitable treatment options and medication usage.
How Does Ginger Affect Serotonin?
Ginger is one option to reduce the risk of serotonin syndrome. In addition, since this ingredient has a positive impact on reducing inflammation and can even decrease pain levels, people can use ginger as a natural remedy for certain medications.
Ginger helps to increase both dopamine and serotonin levels naturally, balancing these critical chemicals in the body. Since depression is related to low levels of these chemicals, some people experience an improvement in symptoms of depression by using ginger regularly.
How to Use Ginger for Anxiety
There are two approaches you can take to use ginger for anxiety. Some people like to use both of these strategies to maintain optimal physical and mental health:
- Symptom Management:When you feel anxious, use ginger to settle the sensations you are experiencing. Bringing awareness to your anxiety is critical, so you know when to take the ginger. In the beginning, you might use ginger when the symptoms are moderate or severe. The goal is to identify the earliest warning signs of anxiety so you can use ginger to preempt more anxiety symptoms.
- Preventive Maintenance: There is no reason why you need to wait until your anxiety is severe before using ginger. Since this ingredient offers many health benefits, people often choose to use ginger proactively each day. Try consuming ginger on a regular basis to see how it helps to reduce your anxiety levels.
Making Ginger Tea
Another way to add ginger to your diet is by drinking ginger tea. Buy organic ginger tea bags at the store to steep in hot water each day.
You can also make homemade ginger tea using fresh ginger root. Follow these steps:
- Rinse fresh ginger root and remove any visible dirt on the skin.
- Slice ginger root into thin strips. You’ll need about a one-inch piece of ginger for every cup of tea you are making.
- Add the sliced ginger and water into a saucepan. Use one cup of water for each cup of tea.
- Let the combination boil for 5 – 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea to remove the ginger chunks.
- Stir in honey or a dash of lemon if you would like more flavor.
Keep in mind that ginger can be stimulating for some people. So, you might want to drink ginger tea in the morning and avoid ginger tea right before bed.
Taking Organic Ginger Shots
One of the most convenient ways to enjoy ginger regularly is by taking organic ginger shots. These shots contain pure ginger juice, giving you a powerful health boost in just a few swallows.
Ginger shots are simple to drink and easy to keep on hand in any location. The small Hana Tonic bottles fit nicely in a bag or purse, so you can take them to the office or when you are heading out on an adventure for the day.
Another option is to make your own ginger shots with a juicer and fresh ginger. However, it takes a little time to juice the ginger and clean the machine when you are done, which is why people often prefer pre-packaged ginger shots instead of homemade ginger shots.
Our Hana Tonic shots include ginger, as well as a variety of other powerful ingredients to support your health. So if you want a simple way to consume ginger each day, then reach for a bottle of Hana Tonic.