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Zingiber Officinale

Ginger

Also known as ginger root or ginger, is a flowering plant that is widely used as a spice. It is part of the Zingiberaceae family which includes other plants such as turmeric, cardamon and galangal. While used for many culinary purposes, ginger has a long history of use in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits.

COMMON NAME

Ginger root or ginger

FAMILY NAME

Zingiberaceae

ACTIONS

Ginger is acholeretic, gastrointestinal stimulant, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, anti-thrombotic, anti-cholesterol, anti-emetic, rubefacient, vasodilator, peripheral circulatory stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogue, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant.

BENEFITS

Ginger has many benefits including reducing nausea, indigestion and is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.

BENEFITS
While ginger has many medicinal benefits, it is best known to combat nausea,vomiting and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acids. Many people that suffer from motion sickness, are pregnant, or are going through chemotherapy use ginger to alleviate nausea symptoms they get from their conditions. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate pain from muscle soreness and menstrual pain to helping with conditions that involve inflammation such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies also suggest that ginger may have immune-boosting properties that help the body defend against infections.
USAGE
Ginger is used in many foods, beverages and as a natural remedy. In cooking, ginger root is commonly used and added to sauces, marinades, and curries. It is also a key ingredient in baking and in tea. Medicinally, ginger can be consumed in the form of a capsule or liquid extract to help alleviate nausea and reduce inflammation. Ginger is also commonly consumed with sushi as a way to cleanse the palate between bites.
MORE INFO
Ginger has a long history of use and is believed to have originated out of Southeast Asia. It spread to other parts of the world in the spice trade and was brought by Arab traders to the Mediterranean around the 1st century. It wasn’t until ginger made its way to medieval Europe that that it became popular in making gingerbread and other cookies and cakes. Ginger has been an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is still used today to treat various ailments such as digestive issues, respiratory, and inflammatory conditions.