I often post on my Migraine Business page (https://www.facebook.com/migrainesupportholistichealth/) as well as writing in my blogs about the benefits and necessity of staying hydrated. Water is a powerful source of prevention for migraines, not to mention that it is great for flushing toxins from your body. I have also posted on the benefits of ginger for migraines as well as inflammatory issues. Let’s look again at the “power of ginger.”

If you are looking for a really beneficial drink, you might want to try adding some fresh ginger to your water or drinking it hot at a tea. This ancient root will give your taste buds just enough punch to make it interesting, and will also give you the added benefit of its healing properties for your entire body.

Ginger is well recognized for its powerful effects on gastrointestinal issues and is used for everything from mild stomach upset and heartburn to nausea and vomiting. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17214049)

Ginger is much more than a remedy for stomach issues though; it has also been shown to relieve migraines. In fact, researchers showed that ginger is just as effective as Imitrex (sumatriptan), which most of you know works by constricting blood vessels and blocking the pain pathways in your brain. Some people feel immediate relief using sumatriptan, but research shows that in 40% of people the headache will return within 24 hours, often worse than the original. (http://www.rxlist.com/imitrex-side-effects-drug-center.htm)

As you may have experienced yourself, these triptan medications come with side effects; some of the mildest of which include nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and muscle weakness. (http://www.greenmedinfo.com/search/google-cse#gsc.q=ginger%20anti-inflammatory&gsc.sort=)

In contrast, ginger has properties that prevent the formation of inflammatory compounds and even effectively treat inflammation in tissues, muscles and joints. According to Green Med Info (see McGee, Harold (2004). “A survey of tropical spices”. McGee on Food and Cooking. Hodder and Stoughton. p. 426. ISBN 0-340-83149-9), there are almost 800 studies on the various healing properties of ginger root, 275 of which specifically relate to its powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

What makes ginger root so effective?

1. Ginger contains an anti-inflammatory known as gingerol (similar to capsaicin and piperine – the compounds that give chili peppers and black pepper their spiciness and healing powers).
2. Ginger works on a cellular level, so it has the capacity to heal the underlying issue – and without the known side effects that come from harmful NSAIDs.
3. Ginger also contains many essential nutrients and vitamins like vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene, as well as B vitamins, including pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5).
4. Ginger is full of minerals like calcium, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Potassium, in particular, is an important component of cell and body fluids that help control your heart rate and blood pressure.
5. Ginger also contains more than 50 different antioxidants that fight free radicals, thus protecting against disease and boosting your immune system.

So how do you put this to work for you?

1. Put it in hot tea
2. Add it to water
3. Add it to a morning smoothie
4. Add it to foods, grated or zested, to add a little spice

How to Make Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and grated
• 1 cup fresh, filtered water, boiled
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
• Raw honey to taste

Directions:

• Boil water.
• Add water to a tea cup
• Add finely grated fresh ginger to hot water (or use a zester)
• Add a little fresh squeezed lemon juice (optional)
• Add honey to taste
• Let is sit for a few minutes and enjoy

(This can be tripled and brewed in a tea pot and left to steep a little longer.)

How to Make Ginger Water

Ingredients:

• 1-2 inches fresh ginger root
• 3 cups fresh, filtered water
• ½ freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Raw honey to taste

Directions:

Put 3 cups of filtered water into a glass jar. Finely grate the fresh, peeled ginger and add to water (a zester is best if you have one). Add the squeezed lemon juice. Add the honey to taste and stir until it dissolves.

You can try drinking this daily for preventative measures or if you are having issues, drink several glasses during the day to help relieve symptoms. This is especially effective for the nausea often experienced during a migraine.

Give this a try and then hit reply and let us know how it works for you, and in what ways you have added ginger to your regimen.