Coming to the store, a person sees a huge number of seasonings. In most cases, the choice falls on ginger and turmeric. Despite its popularity, not much is known to ordinary people about such spices, so you need to know all their beneficial and negative properties in order for the effect on the body to be positive.

Appearance

If we consider the appearance of turmeric and ginger, then they have similar characteristics. Turmeric is a root that is characterized by a bright orange or bright yellow color. It has a pleasant aroma, with little notes of citrus.

During the production of this spice, 2 types of rhizome are used:

• rounded
• cylindrical view with the presence of secondary shoots.

Important! The cylindrical variety of turmeric is considered to be of higher quality, since it contains the maximum amount of dye, there is no starch and coarse fiber.

Seasoning is obtained by adhering to the following points:

1. The root is boiled or steamed.
2. Dried.
3. Chopped.

During this treatment, the amount of essential oils and severity decreases. All useful properties and a touch of seasoning are preserved. The maximum amount of turmeric produced in India is the famous world importer of spices.If we look at the appearance of ginger, then it is similar to river reeds. The only difference is the presence of scales that cover the main stem. Bushes grow up to 2 m in height. On plants there are large orange or yellow inflorescences. Ginger fruit is a small box with black seeds. The spice is obtained from the roots.

General characteristics

An important property that combines turmeric and ginger is the presence of antioxidants in the composition. Thanks to these components, inflammations and diseases are eliminated throughout the body. These products belong to the same plant family called Zingiberacea.

Did you know? Antioxidants — these are substances that slow down the aging process. If you regularly use them, you can maintain youthful skin and the whole body.

Regular consumption of a mixture of spices consisting of turmeric and ginger helps prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They help to improve well-being in cancer and acute respiratory viral infections.

Origin

Since ginger is a plant that needs a lot of heat and sunlight, southeast Asia is considered its homeland. It was first cultivated in India and China. If we turn to historical information, the first mention of it dates back to the II century BC. e. Sailors from India, who traveled to discover new territories, used this spice to make drinks to help deal with seasickness. In the Middle Ages, after the travel of M. Polo to India, ginger was brought to Europe.At the beginning of the XVI century, this product was brought to North America, where it began to be used in cooking and cosmetology. Turmeric has been growing for more than 5 thousand years in India and Yugoslavia. In the 1st century AD the spice was brought to Greece, where it was called "orange ginger." At the beginning of the V century, the plant was brought to China, where it was not only used in cooking and folk medicine, but also cultivated. Since the beginning of the XIII century, Arab merchants brought turmeric to Europe. England is considered the only country where this spice has taken root. Perhaps this was influenced by the colonization of India by England.

Chemical composition

Turmeric and ginger contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for the human body. With their help, you can cure diseases, as well as strengthen the immune system. They can differ from each other in the amount of vitamins and nutritional value. To study the chemical composition of both products will help the table, which compares the number of elements.

100 g of turmeric contains:

• 9.88 g of fat;
• 7.83 g of protein;
• 43.83 g of carbohydrates;
• 12.85 g of water;
• energy value - 350 kcal.

The chemical composition of turmeric spices: essential oils (up to 2%), curcumin (up to 0.6%) and zingibern (3%). Keep seasoning better away from sunlight, as turmeric dye quickly fades in the sun.

The nutritional value of ginger consists of 16 g of carbohydrates, 1 g of fat and 2 g of protein. Energy value - only 80 kcal per 100 g. Ginger root contains up to 4% of useful essential oils, starch and sugar. An unusual taste and aroma is given to this product by a substance called cineol.It has expectorant and antiseptic properties. Also, the presence of 70% of scingibern, geraniol and bisabolene is noted. The energy value of pickled ginger is only 15 kcal per 100 g.

Beneficial features

• If we consider the beneficial properties of ginger, then the following features are noted:
• With a cold. Shredded ginger root is used to make tea or tinctures that help cope with SARS and tonsillitis. This is easily explained by anti-inflammatory and warming properties.
• For the treatment of cough. To do this, grind the root, fill it with warm water and let it brew for half an hour. It is better to drink broth hot or warm.
• For the digestive system. Useful properties of this product provide splitting of the fat layer, accelerate metabolism, and help normalize appetite. The use of drinks, which include ginger, helps to improve well-being with stomach ulcers.
• To cleanse the body. After poisoning, you need to drink tea or tincture from this product in order to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.
• Laxative properties help to make you feel better during constipation.
• Useful properties are manifested in the elimination of acne.
• It improves blood circulation in the brain, develops memory and strengthens blood vessels.
• An effective remedy for violation of blood pressure (hypotension and hypertension).
• To lower cholesterol.

The beneficial properties of ginger root are also evident in the gynecological field. Regular use of this product by women is a good way to cure infertility. Men should use it if they want to get rid of impotence, prostatitis or other inflammatory processes in the genital area.

Important! Ginger root or its powder should be consumed only after consulting with your doctor.

If you suffer from gum disease or stale breathing, then rinsing your mouth with ginger decoctions will help eliminate these problems. Many experts recommend the use of teas with this component in order to increase working capacity and establish brain activity.

• The beneficial properties of ground turmeric include:
• antioxidant effect. With its help, the cell walls become denser, as a result of which the aging process slows down. Thanks to antioxidants, the body is easier to resist free radicals;
• anti-inflammatory effect. The level of enzymes in the body that provokes inflammatory processes is reduced;
• antiulcer action. Thanks to curcumin, the body is able to withstand Helicobacter pylori - a provocateur of stomach ulcers;
• cholesterol property. It is used to prevent arteriosclerosis of the arteries, which reduces the risk of stroke;
• contributes to the production of biledue to which a person has a craving for sweets and alcohol;
• Alzheimer's disease prevention;
• antitumor effect. Thanks to the regular use of turmeric, the risk of developing tumors is reduced.

Did you know? Turmeric — it is a stimulant for the formation of new blood cells. Thanks to this, regular blood renewal occurs.

Negative properties

Despite the enormous benefits of these products for the human body, they can cause irreparable harm, so it is recommended to use them carefully and in small quantities.The only negative property of ginger seasoning is the formation of a strong appetite. If you are at the stage of losing weight, you will have to make considerable efforts to counter this.

• The negative properties of turmeric include:
• Cholagogue property. If you suffer from gallstone disease, then the use of this product will exacerbate the situation.
• Raises a uterine tonetherefore it is impossible to use it to pregnant women.

Main differences

Some people think about the difference between ginger and turmeric. The first difference is the shade of the root. If ginger is characterized by white color, then turmeric has a pleasant yellow color. The second, and more basic difference, is the taste. The white root has a rich burning taste, and spice and tenderness prevail in turmeric.

Indications for use

If we consider the indications for the use of turmeric and ginger, then most of them are associated with immunity. If your body is not resistant to colds, then in the autumn-winter period you need to drink 1 cup of hot drink with turmeric. With the help of this product, a quick blood purification is carried out, which is important for hypertension or clogging of blood vessels. You can not do without the use of turmeric, if there is a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. This spice is used to make ointments. It is used if there are signs of psoriasis or eczema. Also, such ointments are used to quickly heal cuts and burns.

Indications for the use of ginger are based mainly on problems with weight. If you have long been suffering from obesity or overweight, then using the root will help normalize the condition of the body. Ginger powder is added to all dishes, thereby making them fragrant and unusual. During diabetes, doctors prescribe the use of ginger products to increase the production of insulin by the body itself. They are also used with weak immunity.

Contraindications and side effects

Everyone knows the benefits of turmeric and ginger. A small fraction of the world's population thinks that such products can harm the body. Therefore, you need to know what contraindications have seasonings. Ginger is contraindicated if you are taking drugs to lower blood sugar. Also, you can not use it if signs of inflammation of the internal organs (enteritis, gastritis) are detected.During bleeding, you should not drink drinks or eat ginger-seasoned dishes, as it enhances blood flow. As a result, it will be impossible to stop the bleeding without medical assistance. It is forbidden to give ginger condiments to children under 3 years of age and women in the last trimester of pregnancy. This can cause digestive disorders, because of which the child’s body will be weakened.

• Contraindications to the use of turmeric are as follows:
• allergic reactions or individual intolerance;
• hepatitis and pancreatitis;
• diabetes;
• diseases of the stomach (gastritis, ulcer);
• low blood pressure (hypotension).

Important! If you want to protect yourself from side effects after consuming such spices, then pre-test and consult a doctor. He will tell you which optimal dosage is right for your body.

Application

Turmeric and ginger have found application in many areas of human life. They are popular in cosmetology to improve skin condition and normalize the production of sebum. It is enough to mix turmeric and ginger in equal proportions, add a few tbsp. l steamed oatmeal and apply to cleansed skin. The mask is kept for 30 minutes, after which it is washed off under warm running water.Hair masks are also prepared from these products, which prevent hair loss and stimulate their growth. To prepare such masks, crushed ginger, ground turmeric, a few drops of jojoba oil and pure water are mixed in equal proportions. Apply to hair roots and leave for 2-3 hours. After that, thoroughly washed with warm water.

In folk medicine

The use of turmeric and ginger in folk medicine has long been known. The most popular means of helping to lose weight is tea. To prepare it, grind 100 g of ginger root (using a fine grater) and pour 1 liter of boiling water. After 15 minutes, add 2 tbsp. turmeric and mix everything thoroughly. At will and taste lemon and honey are added. Insist the mixture for 2 hours.

Drink 1–1.5 l of tea every day, half an hour before meals. To make a wound healing ointment, mix 5 tbsp. grated ginger root and 3 tbsp. chopped turmeric. Add 50 g of honey and mix thoroughly. The prepared mixture is applied to the affected area of ​​the skin and wrapped with gauze.To tone the body, you need to prepare a refreshing drink. To do this, you need 2 liters of warm water, 1 cucumber, 5 branches of mint, 1 lemon and 100 g of ginger root. All ingredients are cut into small rings, poured with water and insisted in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Drinking such a tonic drink, you will feel an influx of strength.

In cooking

Some housewives use ginger root to make the dish exotic. It is added to soups, broths and cereals. With its help, meat and fish are marinated, which gives them a piquant taste and aroma. Shredded dried ginger root is part of a seasoning such as curry. Flavored pastries are prepared from crushed ginger root and added to strong alcohol.

The most popular marinade recipe looks like this:

• in 100 ml of soy sauce add 3 tbsp. ginger
• 3 cloves of garlic are chopped on a fine grater and added to the mixture;
• pepper and salt are used to taste.

In this mixture, dip the meat and leave for 2 hours in the refrigerator. After cooking, the dish will be juicy, aromatic and with a piquant taste. A person who monitors his health should carefully study the products from which he prepares food.The benefits and harms of turmeric and ginger have been known for a long time, but few people know about their distinctive and similar characteristics. If outwardly they are similar to each other, then the aroma and taste are radically different. In order not to harm your body, use such spices in small quantities and only after consulting a doctor.