Ginger is a wonderfully aromatic and all-around mostly safe herb/root that has been used for many years. Although I generally eat my ginger fresh in juices, teas or grated in curries, dried powdered ginger can be quite potent and beneficial. It’s also much easier to dose so you can achieve therapeutic doses. Ginger powder is also amazing in baking and other sweet treats, which is how I have used it in this recipe for a banana gingerbread loaf. The loaf looks a little dark. This is due to the use of wholemeal flours and the black strap mollases. The molasses can be left out but I think it gives a more authentic gingerbread taste. The ginger powder I use comes from DHOW nature foods.
Ginger is an often-overlooked herb or natural remedy in women health but it can be a powerful tool to help reduce inflammation which is at the root of so many women’s health problems. Here are the reasons I love ginger for women’s hormones and fertility.
- It is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the root of many health concerns. For women, high inflammation can lead to heavier more painful periods, increased PMS symptoms, increased mood disorders such as depression as well as insulin resistance, weight gain and heart disease. Interestingly ginger has been found effective in reducing both the risk of diabetes and heart disease by regulating blood sugar and lowering cholesterol. Inflammation can also interfere with fertility. Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress in the body one of the most powerful tools to help improve egg (and sperm) quality, leading to increased chances of conception.
- Ginger is useful in treating morning sickness in pregnancy. It is well known that ginger is a safe herb for morning sickness in pregnancy. A review of 12 different studies on the effectiveness of ginger on morning sickness stated that ginger has the ability to significantly reduce morning sickness in pregnant women. The dosage needed is 1.1 – 1.5g ginger. Many women who do not experience relief from ginger may not be getting enough. Using ginger powder is an easier way to achieve therapeutic dosages.
- Ginger can significantly reduce menstrual/period pain. Ginger has been found in multiple studies to be as effective as many pain-relieving drugs including various NSAIDs. Ginger not only helps with pain relief but also helps to address underlying inflammation which can help address some of the root causes of inflammation contributing to period pain. A dosage of 250mg taken one day prior and for the first two days of menstrual flow has been shown to be effective in studies although this can vary. Ginger also carries far fewer digestive side effects compared to NSAID’s and in fact, can help aid digestion by increasing gastric emptying from the stomach.
| Banana Ginger Bread Loaf and The Benefits of Ginger for Women's Hormones and Fertility With DHOW | Print |
- 2 medium-large bananas
- ½ cup wholemeal spelt flour (sub for buckwheat for completely gf)
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp DHOW ginger powder
- ½ tsp allspice
- ½ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 1 TBSP blackstrap molasses
- ⅓ chopped pecans (or nuts/seeds of choice)
- ⅓ cup chopped dried figs
- In a large bowl, mash the banana with a fork until smooth. Add all remaining ingredients except pecans and figs and mix together until a batter forms. Fold in pecans and chopped figs. Transfer mixture to a lined loaf tin.
- Bake at 180 C for 30-40 mins or until the toothpick comes out clean.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25230520/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277626/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3995184/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19216660/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4871956/
