9 Home And Beauty Uses For Ginger That You Might Not Know About

We’re probably all familiar with ginger either from chai tea, as an accessory to our sushi, or if we’re not feeling well and boil fresh ginger with lemons for a tasty, healthy tea. B

ut you probably didn’t know ginger that can be used for a lot more than a food additive. You may have bought ground ginger for a recipe, but now find it sitting on your shelf. Well, time to take it off and try out some of the below.

1. Make Ginger Bath Salts

This recipe is perfect for when you need to soak in the tub, or when you need a quick and easy gift for someone else. And the recipe couldn’t be simpler—ground ginger, Epsom salts, and baking soda. Then, put it into cellophane and dress it up with a bow or put it into a Mason jar. DIY labels are optional.

2. Relax With A Detoxifying Foot Soak

All you need are two things for this—grated ginger and mustard powder—and your feet will be thanking you in no time. Just add warm water and you’re all set.

3. Comfort An Upset Stomach

Forget over-the-counter remedies, ginger is here. If you have an upset stomach, it’ll help alleviate it and the uncomfortable bloating that goes with it.

There are many ways you can get your ginger fix: add it to whatever meal you’re eating, cut it into slices and eat it raw (salt to taste), or try candied ginger or ginger ale if raw ginger is too strong for you.

You can also add a teaspoon of ground ginger to a cup of lemon juice if your stomach is not feeling 100 percent. Check out this link to see how you can even make your own candied ginger (hint: all you need is ginger, honey, butter, and a good frying pan).

4. Soothe Sore Muscles With A Hot Or Cold Ginger Compress

Since you probably have some ginger tea leftover, put some in a bowl and let it cool, then soak a cloth in it. Or, if you want a warm compress, test it out to your comfort level.

Ginger’s anti-inflammatory compounds will get to work making your muscles relaxed and your arthritis and cramps less painful. Put the cloth on the pained area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, apply pressure if tolerable, then repeat.

5. Make Homemade Ginger Ale

You may never want to buy ginger ale again once you make Alton Brown’s recipe. All you need is fresh ginger, water, sugar, yeast, and lemon juice. You can check out the recipe here.

6. Craft Your Own Ginger Ale Spritzer

If you want something simpler than making your own ginger ale, why not a ginger ale spritzer? Just add some ginger tea to carbonated water and flavor with honey. Easy!

7. Ease A Sore Throat

Together, ginger and honey can help your cold symptoms, as well as help motion sickness and even asthma (when you throw a bit of black pepper in, too). You can also mix together ground ginger with a spoon of honey to help soothe your sore throat.

8. Reduce Swelling In Gums

If your gums are swollen, or as a preventative measure, mix together some ground ginger and salt and apply a couple times a day. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties will come to the rescue.

9. Exfoliate Skin With A Ginger-Lemon Body Scrub

Tired of buying expensive body scrubs? Now, you can make your own, and one that’s healthy, too. (Plus, you can save some of the ingredients for one of the recipes above, or to make a ginger lemon tea.) With just ginger, lemon zest, sugar, and olive oil, you’ll be on your way to smooth skin in no time.