The healthy benefit of ginger

What Is Ginger

Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to Asian stir fries and many fruit and vegetable dishes. Fresh ginger root is available year round in the produce section of your local market.

Ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant with a firm, striated texture. The flesh of the ginger rhizome can be yellow, white or red in color, depending upon the variety. It is covered with a brownish skin that may either be thick or thin, depending upon whether the plant was harvested when it was mature or young.

A spice is leaves, seeds, or other plant parts used for flavoring food or as a condiment. The name derives from the Late Latin word species, meaning “wares” or “spices.” Spices are sometimes categorized by their cultural connection, for example, Italian spices or Cajun spices. Some herbs are also considered to be spices, but not all spices are herbs.

Zingiber officinale, or ginger, is a creeping perennial indigenous to tropical Asia and other tropical areas, including Jamaica, and is cultivated in the United States, India, and China. Ginger generally refers to the fresh or dried, whole or powdered rhizome of the plant. Although it is often called ginger root, it is not a root. Turmeric is in the same family.

Description. The ginger stalk and scape grow to a height of three to four feet (90 to 120 cm). White with purple streaks or yellowish in color, the flowers grow on spikes at the end of the scapes that grow from the rhizome.

Food and Other Uses. Ginger is described as fiery and pungent, and rates seven of ten on the hotness scale. It is closely associated with gingerbread, cake, cookies, pie, sausage, and curry. It is sometimes called for in Jamaican jerk paste, and it is used in Chinese kung pao. Sliced pickled ginger is used to clear the palate between different pieces of sushi.

Ginger is used in several beverages, such as ginger tisane, made by boiling ginger for several minutes. Ginger ale and ginger beer both got their names from an important ingredient: ginger. Dried ginger is one of the ingredients in the French four-spice mixture called quatre épices, along with nutmeg, white pepper, and cloves. Dried ginger is also used in Indian curry powders and Chinese five spice powder.

Ginger is noted as having antioxidant effects. Ginger is also used to prevent or diminish nausea, but some physicians recommend against using it during pregnancy, so if you have concerns about this particular issue, check with a health care professional. Ginger root extract is also an ingredient in shampoo.

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is most often used in a dried, ground form that is usually available in the spice section of grocery stores. Though most people associate ginger with cooking and spicy foods, the health benefits of ginger are believed to be numerous. It is a favorite of many herbal practitioners, and can be purchased in capsule form at most health food stores. The primary health benefits of ginger are believed to be its anti-inflammatory properties and gastrointestinal relief.

Double blind studies seemed to indicate that ginger might be effective in relieving several types of stomach distress. In addition to gas relief, ginger may also reduce nausea, especially in conditions such as seasickness and motion sickness. The results of the studies seemed to indicate that many symptoms associated with these condition were significantly diminished when using ginger as a treatment. In addition to nausea relief, ginger apparently relieved symptoms such as cold sweats, headache, and vertigo.

An April 2005 issue of the medical publication “Obstetrics and Gynecology” reported that ginger brought measurable relief of vomiting in women who were pregnant. Roughly 70% of the women who participated in the study experienced a marked decrease in occurrences of vomiting, and the severity of the episodes. The study also found that ginger may be safer than many of the anti-vomiting medications commonly prescribed during pregnancy. The study quoted in the magazine claimed that ginger did not cause any difficulties with the pregnancies or deliveries, and did not appear to have any adverse effects on the fetus. It is generally accepted that no two pregnancies are the same, so women should probably consult with their own physician before taking any medication or supplements.

Another study reported in the medical journal “Osteoarthritis Cartilage” highlighted the health benefits of ginger in association with pain and swelling due to arthritis. The study involved 29 patients, and more than 75% of them responded well to treatment using ginger. According to the study, arthritic swelling and pain were both significantly reduced. Most researchers believed that the anti-inflammatory health benefits of ginger are due to compounds called gingerols.

The research devoted to the health benefits of ginger is somewhat slim, and may not be conclusive. People who suffer gastrointestinal problems or inflammation may want to check with their physicians for professional advice. There does not appear to be any known serious side effects associated with ginger, but people who are already taking medication for their condition should be sure that ginger would not cause any dangerous interaction.

What are the Ways to Use Ginger

Ginger drink

Ginger is good for your digestion and one way to get the benefits of ginger is to drink a beverage of ginger tea. In wintertime, ginger is an excellent remedy for keeping colds and flu at bay. Ginger grows as a root herb which is very chewy but one way to ingest it is as a tea drink. Mix ginger with lemon, lime and honey to make a very good, refreshing drink. Stress related illnesses can be eased by consuming ginger tea but for the best results you need to be consuming at least one cup of tea per day.