Ginger is more popularly known in Kenya as something to make your tea tastier, a necessary ingredient to pilau, the second name of Stoney and the cure for the common cold.However, ginger has many more benefits than miraculously curing congested chests and making pilau smell authentic.It is actually a medicineGinger contains a powerful medicinal substance known as gingerol. It contains properties that have made ginger a commonly used medicine in ancient treatment methods. In addition to helping treat the common cold, ginger can also be used to treat nausea, and aid in digestion.Gingerol is the main component of ginger that gives it its unique smell and taste.It is also the main bioactive. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.Reducing muscle pain and sorenessTaking 2g of ginger per day for 11 days reduces muscle pain for people performing elbow exercises.Consuming ginger doesn't give immediate results in reducing muscle pain. However, consistent consumption reduces day-to-day progression of muscle pain.Reducing blood sugar levelsRecent studies show that ginger may have anti-diabetic properties.After a 2015 study, it was found that ginger lowered blood sugar levels and improve various heart disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.Reduces menstrual painGinger has frequently been used for pain relief and that includes menstrual pain.Eating 1g of ginger for three days of the menstrual period can have the same effect of ibuprofen. This, however, may not be effective for women with chronic menstrual pain, endometriosis and other complications that come with menstruation.It is a cancer preventativeGinger extract has been studied to observe its response for cancer cells. Anti-cancer properties were found in 6-gingerol, a compound found in raw cancer.There is limited evidence that ginger can be effective against pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.