Ginger: More Than Just A Culinary Wonder
While ginger is predominantly known for its culinary use, it's been used in medicinal and herbal practices for thousands of years. Besides the pleasant and stimulating scent we all know and love, ginger is full of vitamins and minerals that provide a natural remedy to a multitude of ailments. In traditional medicine, ginger is widely used as a hair growth aid because of its unique natural elements and chemical makeup that create a healthy scalp environment.
History Of Ginger
Ginger, or Zingiber Officinale, is a plant that originated about 5,000 years ago in the tropical jungles of Southern Asia. Ginger, along with cardamom and turmeric, is part of the Zingiberaceae family and is commonly grown today in India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties such as beta-carotene, gignerals, and vitamins that are detoxifying, antiseptic, and stimulating.
Ginger for Hair Growth
Because ginger is naturally high in acidity, it acts as a powerful circulatory agent and stimulant when applied to the scalp. Ginger is full of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, which creates a tingling sensation when used. Increasing blood flow to the scalp helps revitalize and invigorate hair growth. It is naturally high in fatty acids, which can help prevent hair thinning and has antiseptic properties that help ward off dandruff. Ginger can also increase shine and luster by naturally conditioning dry hair. While using ginger won't necessarily make hair grow faster, it can increase blood flow throughout the scalp and allow for a healthy growing environment for hair follicles.
How Ginger Is Used
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, ginger is either eaten fresh or dried to preserve the natural elements. The ginger often used in culinary and medicinal practices is the root of the ginger plant that grows underground while leaves sprout above it. Ginger root can be consumed and used in a wide variety of forms. In America, ginger is often consumed through teas, chews, or supplements for medicinal and digestive solutions. For external use, ginger is turned into oil, paste, mask, or juice but can also be directly applied and rubbed onto the skin or scalp. To help improve hair growth, ginger oil is added to hair masks and shampoos for easy application.
Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger is packed full of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that are often used to treat common colds, nausea, an upset stomach, and even pregnancy. One of the greatest attributes of ginger is that it's potent and effective in balancing and calming the body while still being gentle and extremely natural for the body to digest. In traditional Eastern medicine, it is used as a powerful digestive tonic and is consumed both in raw and dried forms for increased benefits. Ginger is so mild and natural that it is relatively safe for the majority of users to both consume and use externally and offers a healthy alternative to medications and chemicals.
Why We Use Ginger at Ko Naturals
At Ko, we are always looking to the past to create an herbal and natural solution to today's problems. We use ginger in our products, not just for the heavenly scent, but to aid in the growth of your hair and health of your scalp. We use ginger root in our stimulating scalp tonic to stimulate the hair follicles to bring back blood flow to the scalp and encourage growth and shine.