What’s so Great About Ginger?

With a bit of research we will simplify our understanding of what’s so great about Ginger.  

Here is a little bit of history. Ginger was used 5000 years ago to treat many health and medical disorders in India and China.

Most likely you already recognize Ginger as a spice and may even have some in your kitchen cupboard to flavor up everyday meals. We might even know how to pickle or candy the Ginger taught by Great Grandma.

Here is some of what I learned from my Nonni about Ginger:

• For Essential oils, harvest the Ginger around the 9th month.
  
  
• Full grown or mature Ginger root, called the rhizome, can be dried and grounded until it’s in powder form. You probably have a store-bought version in your kitchen. For the rest of the herb, remove the tough exterior or skin before you chop it up and use it in recipes.
  
  
• Many families typically pick up some extra Ginger for the Holiday season. Passed-down family recipes such as cookies, cakes and even curry dishes are enjoyed with that little bit of Ginger added.
  
  
• Candied Ginger can be found in regular grocery stores now. In the day, cooking Ginger in a ‘simple sugar’ mixture and covered in granulated sugar creates an interesting tasty treat.

Both the candied Ginger and the pickled Ginger you find in Sushi restaurants is an acquired taste for most. It doesn’t take long for your taste buds to be saturated with a spicy ‘punch’ of flavor, perfect for someone who needs their nasal passages cleared!

Don’t be surprised to find yourself reaching for another piece, just to confirm the ‘Whoa’ factor you just experienced.

The Health Benefits of Ginger

Containing about 40 antioxidants there are a variety of health benefits Ginger offers:

• Relieves upset stomachs
• Helps with nausea and motion sickness
• Relief from pain
• Is an anti-inflammatory
• Helps with controlling high blood pressure
• Used as a blood thinner instead of using an aspirin
• Improves blood flow
• May reduce hair loss
• Prevents free radical damage
• Protects aging skin

Ginger is Easy to Prepare

Now that you understand more about Ginger you can create your own potions and remedies… it’s easy.

Much like Ginger Ale without any bubbles, a simple hot tea can help with nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, vertigo, digestion issues or feeling like you are bloated.

Simply use a quarter-size portion and boil in water for five minutes.

Create a spa-day for yourself, friends or family.  In a small bowl add equal amounts of freshly grated Ginger, honey and squeezed lemon. Apply to the entire face and décolleté area. Let it dry for 30 minutes and rinse it off for an even skin tone.

Keep Ginger handy; grate and chop a nice size ‘finger’ or two. You may even want to put it in a blender for finer pieces as a healthy detox shot. Fill up a ziplock bag, flatten out the prepared Ginger and freeze it. Whenever you need a little Ginger, snap off the amount needed for recipes, health concoctions, shots and teas.

Now that we understand what’s so great about Ginger simply indulge in these ideas whenever you feel the need for a Ginger pick-me-up!