There
are many reasons to love the pungent aroma and great taste of ginger. But there
is also increasing evidence that ginger provides strong health benefits along
with great taste. Ginger has a long tradition of use in traditional medicine,
and cultures around the globe have used ginger as a healing compound in addition
to a cooking ingredient.
For
hundreds and even thousands of years, the spice we know as ginger has had great
impact to the practitioners of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian medicine. The nausea
reduction effects of ginger have long been known, and some recent studies suggest
that ginger can be effective against nausea and vomiting associated with chemo.
The
effects on circulation Ginger is also thought to be good for circulation.
Ginger is believed to aid circulation by helping the body sweat, and this can
be an important factor in fighting colds and flu. Ginger is even being studied
as a possible way to reduce the incidence of heart disease. It's not certain whether
these possible heart benefits are a result of the increased circulation produced
by ginger, or if there is another mechanism at work.
There
is much anecdotal evidence of ginger's reported health effects in traditional
folk medicine. Those health benefits are the subject of ongoing research, and
many clinical studies are currently underway.
Ginger
and motion sickness Many frequent travelers swear by the effectiveness
of ginger at preventing motion sickness. Some studies have suggested that it is
just as effective as Dramamine and other common drugs. While these effects are
still being studied, it can't hurt to add a bit of ginger to the meal you eat
before hopping on a plane or boat.
Most
major supermarket chains carry fresh ginger root, and if they do not chances are
the local organic grocery store or health food store carries this herb. When choosing
ginger, it's important to choose roots that are firm and have a distinct aroma.
The stronger the odor of the ginger in the store, the more aromatic it will be
in your recipes.
Ginger
and good cooking If you need ideas on how to use ginger in your recipes,
be sure to check out recipes used in traditional Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines.
These cultures have made extensive use of ginger for many centuries, and there
are some excellent recipes using ginger in combination with lamb, beef, and vegetarian
dishes.
As
a spice, ground ginger can be quite a valuable substitute when fresh ginger root
is not available. But fresh ginger is always preferred, both for its greater health
benefits and for its superior taste. Fortunately, in most parts of the United
States fresh ginger root is available year round, so finding it shouldn't be a
problem for the majority of shoppers. Ginger may not be the most familar spice
or herb, but it definitely pays to get to know this great root.
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Disclaimer:
Throughout this website, statements are made pertaining to the properties and/or
functions of food and/or nutritional products. These statements have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and these materials and products
are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.