The healing and strengthening properties of ginger have been known since ancient times. In China and India, it was used to treat everything from coughing to vomiting. Today, without him, not even a single folk recipe can do. This root is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that increases immunity at times, but can it be given to a child? There are many nuances that are important to know.

Chemical and vitamin composition of ginger

The chemical composition of the root crop will amaze anyone, because there are over 400 compounds in it. The main and vital substances are: magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, copper, zinc, sodium and manganese.

A characteristic spicy and tart smell is felt due to the content of 1-3% of essential oil. It is based on the roots of the plant and has the following composition: 4% starch, up to 70% zingiberen, 1.5% gingerol (gives the root a burning taste), sugar, fat, gingerin, linalool, fellandren, borneol, bisabolen, citral and cineole. The root is also saturated with threonine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, valine and other amino acids.

Did you know? Due to the presence of asparagine, ginger is considered a mild antidepressant. These amino acids have the right effect on the nervous system, maintain balance in central processes and stabilize the flow of excitation and inhibition.

Useful and harmful properties

Like most medicinal plants, the root crop has a number of useful properties.

• They can not only improve well-being, but also cure the disease:
• the root enhances immunity and is used for frequent colds;
• phenolic compounds in the composition eliminate nausea both during pregnancy and during motion sickness;
• lowers blood pressure and cholesterol;
• helps to fight intestinal imbalance (metabolism, constipation, heaviness);
• removes toxins, fights skin problems;
• useful as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis or recovering from injuries;
• tool number 1 for fast and safe weight loss due to its beneficial effect on the digestive processes;
• spice also benefits the male half. It is used to restore potency and prevent prostatitis;
• eating a piece of root after a meal can easily get rid of bad breath and improve your teeth.

Did you know? According to one of the theories, Marco Polo was the first to bring ginger to Europe. There, after studying the medicinal and gustatory qualities, they began to use it for medicinal purposes. Europeans considered the root the best way to prevent plague.

• Although ginger is quite harmless and low allergenic, it still has a number of harmful properties:
• fresh use can lead to bowel obstruction with an ulcer or other inflammatory processes;
• the root stimulates the production of bile and with gallstone disease can cause an attack;
• the product increases blood circulation and blood flow, so there is a risk of bleeding due to problems with blood coagulation;
• dry use of ginger can cause uterine contractions in pregnant women. In this case, it can be consumed only in the form of tea;
• with excessive use, there is a risk of heartburn, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias, insomnia, or vice versa drowsiness;
• part of the medication gives a side effect if used in conjunction with ginger. For example, it is forbidden to take it together with insulin or antacids;
• ingestion in acute allergic reactions to citrus fruits or any other products may result in a manifestation of skin diseases.

Is it worth giving ginger to children and how old can it be

Pediatricians unanimously reiterate that ginger can and should be given to young children. After all, it helps to cope with the children's immune system with viruses, bacteria, and has an antipyretic effect. Many parents listen to the authoritative opinion of Dr. Komarovsky, who believes that using a natural and environmental product in the form of ginger will better enhance immunity. This will enable the child’s body to fight infections on its own.

Ginger mixtures are often used in the treatment of upper respiratory tract. But introducing it into the diet of one year old children is strictly contraindicated. Do not forget that ginger is primarily a spice with a sharp taste and smell.

Before using such a herbal medicine, it is better to consult with your doctor about allergies and contraindications.

Important! The use of ginger root in the age of less than 1 year will cause irritation of the immature gastrointestinal tract in the baby.

Admission Rules

The benefits of ginger depend on quality and freshness. Brownish-golden color, smoothness, hardness, absence of damage and a strong spicy aroma indicates a good condition of the root. Using spice in the treatment and prevention of diseases in a child, it is important to peel it. Further processing depends on the recipe for the preparation of the medicinal mixture.

For immunity

In order to prevent colds and viral diseases, ginger root is taken in the form of tea or a mixture with honey and lemon. It is worth figuring out how many recipes are suitable for children and what is the norm of admission:

1. Classic Ginger Tea. The root must be peeled, cut and finely grated. For convenience, you can use a crush for garlic instead of a grater. Next, it must be filled with boiling water. You can add sugar, a slice of lemon or 2 tsp. honey, if the child is not allergic to these components. The drink is infused for 15 minutes. The daily norm for warm use is 300 ml, but not more than 100 ml at a time.
2. Ginger drink. It is also necessary to clean and grind the root crop to prepare lemon juice, sugar, honey. Then add the mixture to boiling water and boil for 10-15 minutes. After the drink is infused and cooled, it can be drunk 2 times a day, 200 ml before or after meals.
3. Ginger Blend. Such a mousse significantly strengthens the child’s immunity and refreshes in the summer. One root is peeled and chopped, then pickled in 100 g of honey and 2-3 slices of lemon. This mixture must be insisted within a day. Next, the marinade is closed with a sealed lid and stored in the refrigerator. To strengthen the child's body, you can add 0.5 hours to any drink.

Important! For babies, the ginger mixture should be diluted in boiling water or black tea. Brewing root with green tea is recommended for children over 10 years old!

With a cold

Treatment of acute respiratory infections with ginger will enhance the body's ability to resist viruses. It is important to take the present mixture of ginger, honey, lemon and sugar after the first signs (sneezing, runny nose, chills, sore throat or general weakness). Warm drink should be given 5-7 times a day, 100-150 ml. Children over 6 years old can add ginger oil directly to the bathtub or use it as an ingredient in the preparation of baked goods, meat and fish dishes.

Against cough

With a slight ailment in the throat, it is allowed to chew the child a small piece of the root or make a mixture of root juice and salt.

In addition to traditional ginger drinks, natural root-based essential oil will help children cough. With a dry cough, it softens the throat, and with wet it relieves sputum and releases the upper respiratory tract. This effect can be achieved with the help of inhalation. The product is mixed with 2 ml of saline and added to a steam inhaler. The procedure for the child should not exceed 2-3 minutes (the period depends on how old the child is).

Important! The solution must be cooled, otherwise the child runs the risk of burning the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract when inhaling vapors.

In the absence of a special device, you can use a kettle or pan. 2-3 drops of oil are added to water preheated to 40 ° C. A cardboard cone-shaped nozzle is put on the spout of the kettle, and the vapors from the pan can be inhaled directly, covered with a towel. Inhalation in this way should be carried out no more than 5 minutes.

An excellent remedy for treating a wet cough in a child is a ginger compress. Grated ginger is mixed with a pinch of cloves and cinnamon. The mass is heated in a water bath and laid out in cheesecloth. Thus, according to the principle of mustard plasters, it is possible to warm the area of ​​the back and chest.

These manipulations should not be performed on children at elevated body temperature.. It is better to coordinate the intake of medicinal mixtures with a medical professional.

Contraindications

Ginger root has a lot of useful properties, but it is necessary to give it to the child for the first time very carefully.

• It is important to familiarize yourself with what contraindications for use exist for children:
• when treating cough, it is not recommended to take infants and children up to two years old;
• ginger can cause an allergic reaction in a child, at the first dose it is important to monitor its condition;
• it is forbidden to take with fever, high fever, ulcer, hepatitis or inflammation of the skin;
• chronic diseases of the digestive system also exclude the use of ginger;
• for heart diseases or blood problems, it is contraindicated to introduce spice into the diet.

Using ginger can enhance immunity, and solve health problems. But it is important to remember that this is a traditional medicine, and is used as an additional source in the main form of treatment. Self-medication without a doctor’s advice can harm your baby’s health.