We’ve all heard about the health benefits of ginger, but many are truly unaware just how beneficial this herb can be for those suffering with candida overgrowth.  It has been used extensively in both Chinese Medicine and Asian Cuisine for centuries.

In fact, Chinese Medicine was the first to learn about the benefits that can come from incorporating ginger into the diet.  It’s often told for patients suffering with digestive disorders and stomach pain to consume ginger.  It has naturally warming qualities that can help facilitate in digestion and improve symptoms related to poor digestion.

That being said, those suffering from candida overgrowth may want to consider adding ginger into their diet.  In our opinion, it can make an excellent addition to the diet of anyone suffering with candida.  It’s for this reason that we’ve included ginger throughout our Crush Candida Cookbook.

However, by the end of this post, you will learn how ginger can be beneficial for fighting off candida overgrowth and if this powerful yellow herb is right for you!

What is Ginger?

Ginger is the rhizome of a small flowering plant.  Its been used for centuries predominantly in Asia as both food and medicine.  Its taste is like nothing else in the world – hot, zesty, pungent, and spicy!

When added to dishes, it can help add a warming quality to a recipe that may have a cooling effect on the body.  When drank as a tea, it can be perfect for facilitating in digestion during meals.  It’s often given to those with weak digestion or stomach disorders such as bloating and cramping.

Out of all of the spices used in Asia, ginger is mostly likely the most widely used.  Its ability to make recipes more warming and easier to digest is like no other herb in the world.

Ginger and Candida – Is it Beneficial?

For those looking for a natural herb that can help inhibit the growth of candida, ginger can help!  It’s well known among Chinese Medicine practitioners that it contains powerful anti-fungal properties.  It’s for this reason that it’s often told by those suffering from stomach aliments due to a fungal pathogens to consume ginger regularly.

In fact, research has shown that an extract of ginger has antimicrobial potential against candida (1).  As a result, simply adding it to your meals or consuming in tea form may be beneficial for inhibiting the growth of candida.

Also, further research has shown that ginger extract can help to stop the formation of candida biofilms which are used by candida in order to avoid being eliminated (2).  For those unaware, these biofilms are what make getting rid of candida so difficult.  This opportunistic fungus oftentimes hides behind these biofilms for protection from both antibiotics and the body’s immune system.  Luckily, ginger can help prevent the formation of these biofilms which gives the body’s immune system a better chance of eliminating this pathogenic fungus.

As a result, simply sprinkling small amounts of it in your recipes is a great way to increase the anti-fungal activity in all of your meals!

Great For Improving Digestion

Ginger is renowned for its ability to improve digestion and strengthen the entire digestive system as a whole.  It’s is often prescribed to those suffering with symptoms of poor digestion such as acid reflux and indigestion.

Research has shown that ginger can help improve symptoms in those dealing with poor digestion by accelerating gastric emptying (3).

It’s well known among the those suffering with candida overgrowth that poor digestion is often a symptom of this pathogenic fungal overgrowth.  It’s for this reason that research has shown that the majority of patients suffering with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) oftentimes also suffer from a colonization of candida in the gut (4).

Although there are various actions that ginger uses in order to help improve digestion, its slightly bitter taste helps in the formation of stomach acid.  For those unaware, bitter foods stimulate the vagus nerve on the back of the tongue which signals to the brain and gut to produce more stomach acid.  This increase in stomach acid production can help in the breakdown of food and prevent symptoms related to poor digestion.

Furthermore, stomach acid helps to sterilize the intestines.  In fact, it’s been shown that various pathogens actually prefer an alkaline environment which is why many will release ammonia into the body.  The ammonia helps to neutralize the stomach acid thus making the entire gut more alkaline.

Luckily, ginger can help to increase stomach acid through its naturally biter properties.  It should be mentioned that maintaining healthy stomach acid levels through one’s lifetime is critical for optimal health.  Unfortunately, due to the modern diet, most do not maintain proper stomach acid levels in the body.

Great for Combating Nausea

We’ve written before about how candida can cause symptoms such as nausea in some individuals.  This is mainly due to the high amounts of toxic byproduct in which this pathogenic fungus releases into the body. 

However, ginger can be great for anyone dealing with nausea due to candida.  Not only does ginger have anti-candida properties which can help inhibit the growth of this pathogenic fungus, but it’s also one of the best natural remedies for combating nausea in the body.

In fact, researchers have found that ginger can help prevent nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy, as well as chemotherapy (5).

If you find that you’re suffering from nausea, it may help to include ginger into your diet.  Both boiling into a tea or adding into your meals can provide the body with the anti-nausea benefits.

Contains Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Properties

One of gingers main claims to fame is its ability to combat inflammation in the body.  In fact, it’s prescribed frequently in Chinese medicine in order to combat inflammation and pain in the body.  It’s for this reason that it’s often included in many natural anti-inflammatory formulas.

Unfortunately, those dealing with candida overgrowth oftentimes suffer from both intestinal and whole body inflammation.  Again, this is mainly due to the high amounts of toxic byproducts that the body is not able to properly eliminate due to compromised detoxification pathways.  As a result, this toxic build up of candida byproducts can lead to conditions such as inflammation.

Thankfully, ginger has been proven to be a powerful anti-inflammatory.  Research has shown that ginger can help treat a wide range of anti-inflammatory responses in the body and can even reduce muscle pain after intense physical activity (6).

As a result, ginger can be a great option for those dealing with inflammatory issues in the body due to candida overgrowth.

The Bottom Line – Should you Use Ginger

In our opinion, ginger is a great option for those dealing with candida overgrowth.  Research has proven the anti-fungal properties of ginger which makes it a great option for combating candida overgrowth in the body.  It’s also great for boosting overall digestion in the body.  It should be mentioned that poor digestion due to candida is extremely common.

Also, due to its naturally bitter taste, it can help stimulate gastric juices and can help the body to produce more stomach acid.  This increase in stomach acid not only helps to sterilize the gut, but it also aids in digestion.

That all being said, the benefits of ginger can be obtained either through food or drink.  Simply sprinkle your meals with ginger, or brew up a hot cup of ginger tea.  Both options will provide the body with the benefits of ginger!

Lastly, although ginger is great, following a proper gut healing and candida friendly diet is how real changes are made in the body.  Luckily, we’ve created a free candida diet protocol for those interested.  All of this information can be accessed on our Candida Diet Protocol Page.  Here you will find everything you need to know about diet and the best foods to be consuming if you suffer from candida overgrowth.

Furthermore, be sure to give our Crush Candida Cookbook a try.  We’ve included over 20 different mouthwatering recipes that are both candida friendly and good for you!  Our cookbook is great for anyone looking to add some variety into their candida diet and can help you stay true to eating healthy!