Ginger root has been used by cultures across the globe for thousands of years in everything from cooking, medicine, and even as an aphrodisiac. As it turns out, it's also one of nature's best beauty gifts
Ginger reduces inflammation
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Ginger can burn fat
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Dealing with thinning hair—or
pesky patches of baldness? Make ginger your go-to. "Ginger is excellent
in aiding the hair growth process," says Shadoh Punnapuzha, founder of
all-natural, Ayurvedic-inspired skincare line Arya Essentials.
"It stimulates scalp follicles, nourishes strands and combats hair
loss." On a weekly basis, she recommends trying this hair treatment to
enjoy healthy hair: Take a tablespoon of fresh ginger and squeeze out
the juice into half a cup of virgin coconut oil. Mix well and apply to
dry hair. Leave on for about 20 to 30 minutes and wash out.
Ginger improves the skin's texture—and fights signs of aging
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"Ginger
has been revered as an anti-aging ingredient in both Ayurvedic and
Chinese medicine for thousands of years," says Punnapuzha. "The
antioxidants present in ginger increases collagen production, reduce
skin damage, and inflammation." Ginger has also been known to reduce the
appearance of hyperpigmentation (dark blotches of skin). Medina
Tshibemba, facialist at Bare Alchemy,
recommends rubbing a small slice of fresh ginger on hypopigmented scars
about two to three times a day. "For optimum results, repeat this
process for at least six weeks," she adds.
Ginger helps fight acne
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Battling
breakouts left and right with no sign of clear skin in sight? Put the
store-bought products on pause and let old ginger work its magic. Hey,
our ancestors have been using the stuff for thousands of years, right?
And experts agree, it works! "The antiseptic and anti-oxidant
ingredients in ginger respectively help fight against the bacteria and
free radicals that cause acne," says Tshibemba. "It also helps promote
skin renewal, improve blood circulation and reduces blemishes." She
recommends adding some ginger juice (grate fresh ginger and squeeze out
the juice) to your favorite mask for acne treatment. Here are other natural acne-fighting supplements that may clear up your pimples once and for all.
Ginger eliminates dandruff
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Flaky,
itchy, dry skin on your scalp is frustrating to deal with—and finding a
fix isn't always easy. But instead of testing out every
dandruff-fighting product at your local drugstore, give all-natural
ginger a try. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties,
ginger works hard to effectively battle the flakes. Tshibemba
recommends mixing 3 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger with 4
tablespoons of jojoba oil and massaging the mixture deep into your
scalp. "This treatment is ideal to use overnight. Just wear a plastic
cap secured with a comfortable head wrap and rinse out with shampoo in
the a.m." Find out more natural treatments to fight your flakes.
Ginger helps fight off environmental toxins
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Free
radicals are all around us—in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the
water we drink, etc. It's inevitable that we're going to be exposed to
these molecules no matter our environment. While some amount of free
radicals in the body is totally normal (our body even produces the stuff
in the processes of digestion, cell reaction, etc.), the goal is to
limit external free radicals, as they cause excess stress on the body
and harm and age the body—both internally and externally—over time,
notes Punnapuzha. What helps counteract the impact of free radicals the
most are antioxidants. "Ginger happens to be unusually high in
antioxidants, so it can help prevent and repair the damage to your
body's tissues caused by free radicals," says Punnapuzha. A great way to
up your intake aside from eating the stuff straight (which can be
spicy!) is by taking supplements.
Ginger reduces cellulite
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No
one likes cellulite—but we pretty much all have it. Instead of
splurging on expensive creams and scrubs that promise to tighten and
firm your derriere, give ginger a go. "Ginger increases circulation and
cell regeneration which in turn helps fight cellulite," explains
Punnapuzha. You can make your own DIY ginger scrub and apply it directly
to your skin in the shower! For an invigorating, whole-body detox
scrub, Tshibemba suggests combining 1 cup of organic sugar, ½ cup of
olive oil, 4 tablespoons of grated ginger and squeezed juice from ½ of a
lemon. "Rub this mixture onto your skin using circular motions while
focusing on the most problematic areas and rinse with cold water." Find
out all the things dermatologists wish women knew about cellulite.
Ginger can heal and repair cuts and wounds
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Yep—just
as ginger can help with hyperpigmentation and spots on your skin, it
can also help with scars and wounds. "Armed with strong antiseptic
properties, ginger is a great agent for helping heal cuts and
abrasions," says Punnapuzha. "It is known to aid in keeping away
infections while encouraging cell regeneration." She suggests either
making ginger a part of your daily diet or, if you're not into the
taste, simply pat a wound with a piece of fresh ginger to quicken the
healing process. Just make sure to never ignore these signs of an infected cut.
Ginger boosts your brainpower
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Ok—this
might not have to do with your physical beauty, but we like to think
they go hand in hand! Ginger is a certified brain-booster, inhibiting an
inflammatory response in the brain that can help increase your brain
function. "Recent studies have found ginger to help with memory loss and dementia,
and improve other cognitive functions," says Van Horn. "Oxidative
stress, along with chronic inflammation accelerates our aging process."
She suggests adding some fresh ginger to your morning smoothie for a
quick pick-me-up.
