ginger root as antimicrobial

Last week, we ended on a question.  Could Ginger actually cure the common cold???

Sadly, the answer is no, but it may be able to help ward it off or lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration.  And you could combine it with other herbs for even greater effect.   

Scientific studies have shown Ginger to be antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial.  It has, in laboratory experiments, inhibited the growth of rhinovirus (the cause of the common cold) and inhibited replication of Flu strain A.  A study done by JS Chang demonstrated that fresh ginger blocked viral attachment in RSV.  (Check the references below to see the studies.)

My personal experience?  As soon as I feel the symptoms of a cold coming on, I make my EEG Tea (Elderberry, Elder Flower, Ginger) and sip on it all day.  When I do that, I don't get sick.  The one time I couldn't do that (it was too soon post-op), I did catch whatever bug it was that my DH brought home.  

Next time you feel like you're coming down sick, try making Ginger tea - add a few more spices/herbs like Elderberries, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Burdock, or Astragalus for both flavor and enhanced effect!



References:

1.  Gupta, S; "A comparison of the antimicrobial activity of garlic, ginger, carrot, and turmeric pastes against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in laboratory buffer and ground beef"  NCBI Pubmed;  Winter 2005;  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16366855; 
Accessed February 25, 2019

2.   Akoachere, JF; "Antibacterial effect of Zingiber officinale and Garcinia kola on respiratory tract pathogens" NCBI Pubmed;
Nov 2002;  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12630492;  
Accessed February 25, 2019

3. Park,M; "Antibacterial activity of [10]-gingerol and [12]-gingerol isolated from ginger rhizome against periodontal bacteria" NCBI Pubmed; 
Nov 2008;  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18814211  
Accessed February 25, 2019

4.  Adams, C; "Ginger's Antiviral Prowess Proven in Research";  Heal Naturally; Last updated March 7, 2018; https://www.realnatural.org/ginger-antiviral/;  Accessed February 25, 2019

5.  Chang, JS;  "Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory sycntial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines"     ​NCBI PubMed;  January 9, 2013;  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23123794; Accessed February 25, 2019


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