Do you have chest congestion or a bad cold? You are not alone – there are more than 3 million cases of the common cold each year. And this may cause unpleasant symptoms like nose stuffiness, congestion, cough, and more. But before you take a decongestant or antihistamine, consider a ginger wrap.
Ginger is a common spice used in cooking for enhanced flavor, but it’s much more than that. It contains many bioactive compounds, including gingerol, with significant benefits for your body. It has been used as a folk remedy for thousands of years to treat various conditions.
In this article, we will share how to make a ginger wrap to eliminate mucus from the lungs.
Ginger’s powerful medicinal properties
Ginger has many medicinal benefits, but we will be looking at how it relieves chest congestion. Chest congestion is caused by inflammation due to an infection commonly caused by the cold or bronchitis. The bioactive compound gingerol in ginger has anti-inflammatory effects that can help reduce the inflammation in your lungs.
One study showed that ginger showed significant and rapid relaxation of airway smooth muscle, which is remedial for airway diseases such as asthma.
Gingerol can also help lower the risk of respiratory infections. Ginger extract can hinder the growth of multiple types of bacteria. It may also be effective against the Human Respiratory Syncytial (RSV) virus, a common cause of respiratory infections.
When to use a ginger wrap?
Ginger wrap may have therapeutic benefits for congestion caused by cold, bronchitis, asthma, and other related airway inflammatory diseases. You may use it whenever congestion or respiratory infection is present.
Ginger may also have an anti-inflammatory effect with osteoarthritis or inflammation in the joints. In this instance, you can apply the ginger wrap to the inflamed area – it may bring relief.
In a controlled trial of 247 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who took ginger extract showed a significant reduction in knee pain versus the control group and therefore needed less pain medication.
Furthermore, a topical ginger treatment administered with a compress or patch for adults showed a 48% reduction in pain due to osteoarthritis.
Ginger wraps have also been touted to help get rid of stubborn belly fat. However, there is little scientific data to back this claim.
How to make a ginger wrap?
A ginger wrap is a safe, simple, and effective treatment that may aid chest congestion and inflammation. It has been used for many years to remove mucus from the lungs. Whiles results may vary from person to person, some have seen results overnight.
You will need:
- Ginger (grated or 1 Tbsp powder)
- Raw honey
- Olive oil
- Arrowroot powder
- Gauze
- Napkins or paper towel
- Medical tape
Instructions
- Grate or puree half a cup of fresh ginger or use powdered ginger. Then add to a small bowl.
- Mix in honey and arrowroot powder into the bowl.
- Once it has formed a paste, spread the mixture on a napkin or paper towel about 9-12 inches square. Then cover and seal with a gauze.
- Apply the wrap over the chest and tape in place with medical tape.
- Leave on for at least four hours or overnight. Repeat the next day for continued relief.
- Remove wrap after four hours or in the morning and discard. By then, you may experience less congestion.
Caution
Applying ginger directly to the skin may cause irritation and rashes. It is essential to consult your medical provider before using ginger.
Conclusion
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory and has proven to aid various respiratory conditions. A ginger patch is a convenient way to apply ginger to the inflamed area. Many persons have testified of ginger’s effectiveness to clear mucus from the lungs.
