Ginger, or scientifically known as Zingiber officinale Roscoe, is a perennial plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceas family and is grown in different areas of the world, with Jamaica being the country where this species is most produced. Ginger is used mainly as a condiment to prepare different food dishes. But it is also a plant that is used as a home remedy for the treatment of various conditions due to its medicinal properties.
Nutritional composition and properties of ginger
Ginger is a perennial plant from which is extracted mainly the underground rhizome or root, since it is the richest part of this plant. Within its composition we find the following nutrients:
- Essential oils: its content stands out in zingibereno, zingiberenol, zingiberol, limoneno and curcumeno.
- Resins: in this section we find many of the active principles of the plant, which give it its characteristic flavor. Among them, its content in shogaols (which has analgesic, antipyretic and sedative properties) and in gingerols (with anti-inflammatory, cholagogue and antitussive properties) stands out.
- Amino acids: asparagine, lysine, arginine and aspartic acid.
- Vitamins: ginger is rich in vitamin C and vitamin B3.
- Minerals: has a richness of zinc, manganese, boron, cobalt, silicon, phosphorus and aluminum.
Can children drink ginger? – Here the answer
Surely the parents hesitate to give this seasoning to their children because of its spicy active ingredients. For this reason many of them think that it can be harmful for the little ones. However, children CAN take ginger, except in the following cases where it is contraindicated:
- Children under 2 years: before that age, ginger is contraindicated, since the digestive system of children in this strip is still under development and, therefore, may have problems tolerating the spicy taste of this seasoning. Turn out to be toxic.
- Pregnant women and / or during lactation: in both cases it is contraindicated, since the consumption of ginger directly affects the pregnant woman and the child who takes the breast. In this case, children may have digestive problems such as heartburn and stomach pain and drowsiness.
Leaving these two cases aside, ginger is a safe food for children as long as the consumption is within the appropriate dose that is 2 mg per day in children between 2 and 6 years. Even so, before starting to give ginger root to any child, it is imperative that you consult your pediatrician to assign the most appropriate dose.
Uses of ginger in children
Although children can consume this root in different dishes, the most popular use of ginger in children is as a natural remedy to relieve the symptoms of a cold, flu or other respiratory disease. You may also be interested in How to use ginger for the cold.
Thanks to its active principles (especially its content in shogalao and gingerols), ginger root has excellent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antitussive properties that can relieve the most common symptoms of a cold such as fever, cough, nasal congestion and sore throat . Among the most popular home remedies to fight the cold in the case of children, we find the following:
Infusion of ginger
To make this natural treatment, we will have to add a cup of mineral water in a saucepan and heat it until it starts to boil. When this happens, add half a teaspoon of ginger powder and let it cook for 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat, strain the drink and add a spoonful of honey to make the taste more pleasant for the child.
Natural ginger syrup
To make this homemade preparation you will have to add in a saucepan, 5 cups of water together with a thin slice of ginger root and a cinnamon stick and let it cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Once the time has passed, strain the drink into a glass jar and add a spoonful of honey for a sweeter taste. Administer between 2 and 3 tablespoons a day of this preparation.
Ginger vapors
This remedy is especially effective for nasal congestion. In this case you will have to add in a saucepan, two cups of water and let it warm up before it starts to boil. At this moment, you will have to add ginger zest to the water and let it warm up for 3 more minutes. Then put out the fire and put the child a towel on the head so that it is placed, carefully, over the pot without touching it and that he can inhale the steam for a couple of minutes.