Ginger for Heart Health and Circulation

Written by Jennifer Morreale

Ginger has been used for centuries and has long been viewed as a healing plant.  In an article by Susan Biali, it mentions that Confucius claimed never to eat a meal without ginger.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine ginger has been used in healing and prevention for thousands of years.  Gingers benefits are nothing new, but its appreciation is growing here in the United States.

Ginger is an amazing herb with many healing powers, helping with; appetite, arthritis, cellulite, pneumonia, colds, seas sickness, nausea, preventing blood clots and increasing circulation. While all of these benefits of ginger are amazing, the one that is most impressive is its heart health benefits.  One of the biggest problems in the United States is heart disease, and ginger can play a role in preventing and healing issues of the heart.  Ginger is used for blood pressure, cholesterol regulation, increased circulation, and overall heart health.

Due to its help with increasing circulation, ginger is also used to treat Reynaud’s syndrome, which is when a person’s fingers, toes and nose turn blue due to lack of blood flow to warm the extremities when they are cold.

What some do not realize is that the reason ginger has warming effects on the body is because it increases blood flow to the extremities allowing the blood to warm the body.  This increased blood flow also has other effects, such as prevention of arteriosclerosis, by preventing blood clotting.   Ginger also stimulates the heart and allows for cleansing of the body through perspiration.  While this herb does have many health benefits, it also is recommended to be used with some caution.  People with peptic ulcers should avoid using ginger as it may aggravate the condition.  Ginger should be used in moderation in any treatment regimen. It is always important to know the side effects and risks of herbs prior to using them.

Ginger is very powerful in helping to regulate cholesterol levels.  This regulation reduces the cholesterol plaque build-up on the arterial walls.  With the general eating habits of society in the United States, this is a big concern.  Trying to change a society’s eating habits is a large task, but educating about an easy to find herb, such as ginger, that will aid in the reduction of damage done should be promoted widely.  A study done at the Babol University of Medical Sciences did a double blind placebo study on the effects of ginger on cholesterol levels.  Of the 85 people in the study, 45 in treatment group, 40 in placebo group, there was a much larger reduction in LDL levels of the treatment group.  The researchers concluded that “the results show that ginger has a significant lipid lowering effect compared to placebo”.  With the quickly rising number of people on cholesterol and heart medications it is a wonder why more people aren’t made more aware of the incredible healing powers of a commonly used herb.

Unlike many other healing herbs, ginger is very easy to find.  It is sold in the produce section of nearly all grocery stores and is quite simple to add to a daily meal plan.  If using fresh ginger is not the avenue you wish to take there are other options such as ginger tea, which can be found in the tea section of any grocery store.  Also, many supplement companies have realized the benefits of ginger and are now selling it in capsules.  Whether it’s for prevention or to help manage an existing problem, this is a low cost and natural option.

Jennifer Morreale’s passion is running.  It’s a passion she shares with anyone and anything she encounters, including her Italian Greyhound puppy Sprocket who can often be seen running alongside her.  Jennifer believes that anyone can be a runner and has devoted her life to teaching others the joys and benefits of running and how running can help promote overall health.

As founder of Runner’s Realm, Jennifer inspires and motivates others to run through both words and actions.  Jennifer leads by example and has completed many races including the Walt Disney World Marathon, the Iron Girl Half Marathon, the Tri-angle Duathlon and many smaller races.  Never slowing down, Jennifer will soon compete in the Hero-thon in San Antonio, Texas, the Tough Mudder in Tampa, Florida, the Walt Disney World Goofy 39.3 miles in two days and the Runner’s World Half Marathon in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Combining her love of running with her desire to help others she has lent her talents to helping organizations meet their fundraising goals.  She is currently working with Team in Training in advance of the Hero-thon to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in their efforts to raise funds to fight blood cancer and recently adding her name to the bone marrow registry hoping to be a match.  Jennifer also works with various other non-profit organizations that promote health, such as World Wellness Education, Relay for Life and Walk 4 Animals helping raise thousands of dollars.

Originally from Upstate New York, Jennifer has lived in six states across the US and now resides in Central Florida where she helps her husband Dr. Joseph Morreale manage his business, The Chiropractic Center. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in alternative medicine from Everglades University, is a certified chiropractic assistant, has written for and been published in numerous health and nutrition publications.  She also sits on the Board of the World Wellness Education and the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County.  In addition to running Jennifer enjoys yoga, stand up paddle boarding, scuba diving, boating, fishing and just about any other outdoor activity.

This information is not meant to be medical advice. No action or inaction should be taken solely on the contents of this information. Instead, you should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being.

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