Gut Health & Ginger

On my eternal quest to be a healthier me, and to help my clients become healthier people, more and more of my research is turning to gut health. How’s yours? Do you know? Are you one of the millions of sufferers in the United States that suffer from something more chronic? Do you take medications? Do you also take something over-the-counter to combat your stomach issues? Do they also play a role in your gut health? YES! YES! YES!

For many years, we have been over-medicated and improperly fed in the United States of America. It’s time to take that back people. It’s simple really. You stop eating processed foods, eat more organic fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs, get your rest and exercise and you’re set. Or so you think. Good gut bacteria is also very real in this equation, and it is very necessary. If not, your body goes into a state of what’s called, dysbiosis. This state increases opportunities for things to take over like allergies to cancer and auto-immune disorders.

To maintain a suggested healthy amount of gut bacteria, people should be doing things like drinking lots of water, daily exercise, and the right amount of rest and relaxation. You should also have a healthy diet filled with lots of rainbow colors, good whole-food supplements as well as a good probiotic. You should also be staying away from processed sugars and carbohydrates. If you are lacking in any of these areas, it’s likely your gut flora is probably not where it should be. Did you know that when your gut bacteria is off, it can affect not only your digestive system and the way that it operates, but you may also be experiencing allergies, skin issues, mood disorders and more chronic issues like Crohn’s, Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia, Restless Leg Syndrome, Arthritis…and the list goes on and on.

There are natural answers for your digestive health. My suggestion in getting a handle on your gut and restoring it back to a healthy one is start by changing diet. A good cleanse at first to clear out bad bacteria levels is usually a great start. Then by using the fruits and vegetables that nature gave us, drinking daily juice blends with healthier selections and a probiotic to restore the good bacteria.

There are also other essential oil answers like Ginger. The Ginger plant originates from India, China and Java, and is also native to Africa and the West Indies. History suggests it was most likely brought to Europe between the 10th and 15th century as a spice, and not as much medicinally. It’s a shame, because Ginger is powerful in helping with gut inflammation. It’s also gentle enough that those with the most sensitive digestive issues can utilize this awesome essential oil.

Fun Fact: The name ginger is said to be derived from the Gingi district in India, where tea made from ginger is used for stomach upsets. Ginger is a perennial herb and grows to about 3 – 4 feet high with a thick spreading tuberous rhizome. It has been used as a medicine in Europe and Asia since very early times and is recorded in both Sanskrit and Chinese texts and is also mentioned in the literature of the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Arabians. Asian medicine has always used dried ginger for stomach problems. The Chinese also use it to boost the heart and to help with keeping mucus and phlegm levels down.

Research shows over and over that a digestive system with yeast overgrowth produces unhealthy levels of bad bacteria, and an over-production of mucus/phlegm. While the restoration of your digestion system may be slightly rocky, using Ginger in your diet may help with the rough transition. As always, when considering any essential oil, please consult a professional and use reputable essential oils.

If you have any questions about what I have talked about in this article, feel free to drop me a line on any social media below.

For consultations or more information about how to use or purchase essential oils, please contact Shelly Berkowitz, Reflexologist & Holistic Health Coach at (714) 514-3737. Shelly can also be reached via email at ahealthyresidual@yahoo.com and her website can be viewed at www.shellyberkowitz.com or www.mydoterra.com/shellyberkowitz. You can also find her on Twitter, Instagram and Periscope under ShellyBerkowitz and on Facebook at A Healthy Residual

FDA Disclaimer:  The information, advice, statements, and testimonials made about the essential oils, blends, and products mentioned on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The information on this site and the products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, nor are they intended to replace proper medical help. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any regimen with essential oils.  User submitted testimonials are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results – what works for one may not work for another.