Flavored Jointed
How Ginger Root Can Benefit Your Health
Ginger, (scientific name: Zingiber officinale) is the root of a plant native to Asia but cultivated in the West Indies, Jamaica, and Africa. It is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. Used for thousands of years previously, it was introduced to Spain by Francisco de Mendosa in the early 1500′s and from there to the new world.
Ginger powder comes from a perennial tuber type root (like a potato) that creeps and grows underground. The stalk has narrow leaves and grows to be about two feet tall. In the fall the tuber is harvested, dried, and ground into the herb powder. Black or coated ginger means the root was immediately scalded (not peeled) after harvesting. White or uncoated ginger was washed and scraped to prevent sprouting. To whiten it even more, white ginger is at times bleached or limed but this process robs it of some of its value.
Let’s now see some of the health benefits of ginger. Chemicals in ginger herbs that give it value include volatile oil (up to 3%), acrid soft resin, lignin, gum, starch, vegeto matter, asmazone, acetic acid, potassium acetate, and sulphur.
Ginger will stimulate appetite, fight body odor, and promote perspiration. It is best known as a traditional Asian medicine to treat nausea. It has relieved morning sickness as well as the nausea related to chemotherapy. Some say ginger is more effective in relieving motion sickness than Dramamine.
Ginger also helps treat joint pain by stimulating blood circulation, so it is used to treat illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud?s syndrome. Externally ginger causes redness of the skin.
Ginger relieves gastrointestinal distress and is often used to treat flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps. It works by mimicking certain digestive enzymes the body uses to process protein in the body.
Ginger aids the heart as well. Only five grams of dried ginger a day will slow the production of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the liver. Ginger also prevents platelets from sticking together. This decreases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Many like its flavor and aroma and like to use it in cooking as a seasoning or a tea. One online recipe for gingersnap cookies calls for one teaspoon of ginger powder. It is also a popular treatment for cold symptoms for it is said to loosen phlegm and spread a warm feeling throughout the body thus fighting chills.
Besides the powder and root, ginger may be purchased in capsules, pickles, extracts, and prepared teas that can be made into compresses. Some eat ginger root raw, but if you do, avoid small, wrinkled, or soft tubers. To make a tea, steep ginger in hot water, or just sprinkle it on dishes. The recommended dosage is one third of an ounce of fresh ginger root per day. By steeping the root in hot syrup preserved ginger may be made. You can store ginger root dry in your refrigerator for short periods or freeze it for up to three months.
If you are pregnant, it would be wise to restrict your use of ginger because it may stimulate uterine contractions. People taking beta-blockers, insulin, blood thinners, barbiturates, or diabetes medications should consult their doctor before using ginger because it may conflict with some of these medications. Ginger may also reduce the absorption of dietary iron and fat-soluble vitamins, and actually upset the stomach in higher doses. Also, ginger helps thin the blood. Therefore avoid taking it two weeks prior to surgery.
Ready to add Ginger to your diet? Visit MoreThanAlive – the best place we’ve found for where to buy Ginger.
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