Recently, on the shelves of supermarkets is increasingly common ginger root. Many nutritionists and doctors speak about its beneficial properties, therefore it is becoming more and more popular among fans of proper nutrition. Ginger root is famous for its healing properties. It contains beneficial substances to help cope with colds.
Mommies need to know that ginger is a miracle cure for many diseases, and it can be consumed even by children. Find out whether everyone can give it or not ...
Why does the question of a possible restriction arise?
About the beneficial effects of ginger on the human body has become known since ancient times. Modern science explains the wide spectrum of its useful properties as follows: the root chemical composition includes about 400 useful substances and components, including magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, iron, zinc, potassium, B vitamins, vitamin A, E, K, ascorbic and nicotinic acid, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, etc.
But With the introduction of ginger to the diet, you must be extremely careful, you can use it is not all. It must be remembered that ginger is, above all, a spice that has a bright and burning taste. This taste is provided by the most active biochemical compounds contained in the spice:
- quercetin;
- ferulic acid;
- borneol;
- myrcene;
- gingerol
The most potent irritant effect is capsaicin, an alkaloid contained, besides ginger, in many types of chilli peppers. All of these biochemical compounds are extremely dangerous for the still unformed mucous membrane of the stomach of a baby or a child with health problems.
How many years can you give and in what form?
Pediatricians and authors of competent medical sources in one voice say: Ginger can be introduced into the diet of a child only two years old! The gastrointestinal tract of young children (especially children of the first year of life) is not fully prepared for receiving and digesting the food of the “adult” diet. Only when a child reaches the age of 2 years, the necessary changes in the gastrointestinal tissues begin to occur: the number of glands in the gastric mucosa, which helps to digest heavy and specific foods, increases every year.
To begin with, after consulting with the family doctor about a possible allergic reaction, the child can be offered warm ginger tea, for the preparation of which it is better to use fresh root, not powder. The recommended daily intake is no more than 2 g.
Indications for use
Ginger will be useful for a child with the following illnesses and health problems:
- ORZ, ARVI, flu.
- Cough, bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Tonsillitis.
- Runny nose
- Disorders of the digestive system, food poisoning substandard products (nausea, vomiting, spasms, diarrhea).
- Dysbacteriosis (including after taking antibiotics), flatulence.
- Headache due to vasospasm.
- Excess weight.
- Strengthening immunity.
- Improved memory, active brain activity.
Contraindications
Eating ginger is contraindicated if the child suffers from:
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract: ulcers, gastritis, colitis, etc.
- Arrhythmias and heart failure.
- Problems with the liver, gallbladder and kidneys (hepatitis, gallstone disease, stones and sand in the kidneys).
- Tendency to bleeding (including nasal, hemorrhoidal).
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Frequent allergic reactions to food.
- Blood problems (thrombocytopenia).
- Skin diseases.
- Increased body temperature (above + 38C).
Consequences of use at an early age
The consequences of eating a ginger young child (0 to 2 years old) can be extremely deplorable.: the mucosa of its esophagus, stomach and intestines will be in a highly irritated state. Therefore, if it is given early, then in the future this may provoke the development of such chronic diseases as gastritis, gastroduodenitis, gastric ulcer and many others.
Basic rules for preparing the root of a plant for reception
Selection
You can forget about the benefits of ginger if you buy a low-quality product in a store or on the market. Fresh root has a brown-golden color, slightly shiny, it is firm and smooth, with no visible damage and mold lesions. Another indicator of freshness: if you break off a small process of the spine, then a strong spicy aroma will spill in the air.
Cutting and cleaning
Some online resources advise you not to peel root tea, and just rinse thoroughly in running water. Ginger is only cleaned for cooking using it. But since we are talking about the use of spices for children, it is better to clean the root to prevent various infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The method of further grinding depends on the intended use of the spice. So, for making tea, ginger is most often finely chopped into plates, and for making juice, it is rubbed on a grater. The latter procedure can be somewhat difficult due to the fibrous structure of the root, so many effectively and quickly chop the ginger with the help of crusher for garlic.
Recipes for immunity and therapeutic use
Tea with lemon and honey
This drink is effective for colds, he will quickly relieve headaches and general weakness. But it is necessary to remember that the main components are strong allergens.
You will need:
- ginger root 1 cm;
- a slice of lemon (the option of using orange, grapefruit is possible);
- 1 - 2 tsp. honey;
- a glass of boiling water;
- teapot;
- knife.
Application:
- Peel the root crop, cut it into plates, and the lemon into slices.
- Put a plate of ginger and a slice of lemon in the teapot.
- Pour a glass of boiling water, cover the container, allow the drink to infuse for 5 to 15 minutes.
- Add honey to the warm drink.
- Take 50 - 100 ml 3 - 4 times a day throughout the entire period of treatment for a cold, and for prophylaxis - 1 - 2 times a day.
How to make ginger tea with honey in the video below:
Green tea
Green tea with ginger is a real fount of useful substances and microelements. But it can be used only by children from 10 - 11 years. It will be useful for strengthening the immune system, with colds, to improve memory and enhance brain activity.
To prepare the drink you need to prepare:
- 1 tsp brewing green tea;
- ginger root about 2 cm in size;
- 500 ml of boiling water;
- capacity;
- knife.
Application:
- Welding is poured into the tank, which is filled with boiling water.
- Leave the liquid to infuse for 5 minutes.
- Ginger peel, cut into plates.
- Strain the infusion, add the chopped root vegetable to it and leave it for another 20 minutes.
- To taste you can add a little honey, lemon, cinnamon mint, cardamom to tea.
- You can drink this tea 100 ml 2 - 3 times a day until complete recovery.
Essential oil for inhalation
This substance has a number of useful properties:
- antibacterial;
- disinfectant;
- anti-inflammatory;
- expectorant;
- anesthetic
Most often it is used to treat colds in the form of inhalation.
For treatment it is necessary to prepare:
- steam inhaler (in the absence of such, you can use a regular teapot with a spout);
- ginger essential oil (it should be purchased at the pharmacy);
- 2 ml of saline;
- pipette
Application:
- In the dispenser placed 2 drops of essential oil, dissolved in 2 ml of saline. If the procedure is carried out using a teapot, then 2 - 3 drops of root essential oil are added to a small amount of water heated to 40 degrees.
- The procedure lasts 5 - 7 minutes, the frequency of application - 1 - 2 times a day to improve well-being. At high temperatures, the procedure is contraindicated!
Aromatherapy
Essential oil has a powerful immunomodulatory properties, it is able to activate the body's defenses therefore, aromatherapy can be carried out in the season of colds and flu as a prophylactic agent, as well as to alleviate the condition of an already ill child.
For an aromatherapy session you will need:
- oil burner;
- ginger essential oil.
Application:
- A few drops of essential oil are dripped onto the aroma lamp, and the resulting aroma is inhaled for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Sessions can be done daily.
The juice
Freshly squeezed ginger juice helps children with nasal congestion.
For the manufacture of nasal drops it is necessary to take:
- a piece of ginger 3-4 cm;
- grater;
- gauze;
- sugar;
- boiled water.
Application:
- Peel the root, grate, squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.
- 1 tsp juice mixed with a pinch of sugar and diluted in a 1: 1 ratio with boiled water.
- Instill into each nostril 1 drop 4 times a day.
Decoction
This is an indispensable tool for dry cough, when the sputum does not completely depart.
For manufacturing it is necessary:
- ginger root 5 cm;
- boiling water;
- capacity;
- knife;
- grater.
Application:
- Peel the ginger, grate it, place the resulting gruel in a small saucepan.
- Pour gruel 1 liter of boiling water.
- Place the saucepan on the fire, cook for 10 minutes.
- Broth strain, you can add a little honey, lemon.
- Take in the form of heat half a glass 3 times a day until the condition improves.
Is it allergic to it?
This spice is quite easily tolerated by many, allergy cases are rare. Their main reason is individual intolerance.
Allergy - hypersensitivity of the body to certain substances, causing a number of unpleasant symptoms.
The most common ones are:
- inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth;
- cough;
- skin rash;
- itchiness
In case of manifestation of any adverse reactions, it is imperative to see an allergist, who will select the necessary antihistamines. Self-treatment is unacceptable! In the future, most likely, you will have to abandon the use of ginger, as well as all the dishes in which it is included.
Any of the above recipes is not a panacea, although they are undoubtedly effective. It is important to remember the main thing: any folk remedy is only an accompanying method to the main line of treatment prescribed by the doctor. Do not self-medicate, especially when it comes to the health of your children.