Ginger

Anne Calzada Herbalist

Copyright December 2011

Ginger is a valuable plant to know! Its latin name is Zingiber officinale. It is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. It is originally from Asia. It has a history of use of more than 2,000 years. It is one of the classic herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it is

known as “sheng jiang”. Ginger continues to be important medicine in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western herbal practices. The root is used for flavoring and healing. Ginger is a good ally to have on hand when you feel the onset of a cold or flu. It is helpful when a fever is present as it contains diaphoretic properties, which help you to sweat. It warms the body and promotes expectoration, helping to clear out the lungs. Making a cup of ginger tea of either the fresh or dried root is indicated. One tsp. of dried ginger powder to one cup of water or a slice about an inch long of the fresh root will do.

Try ginger tea with honey and lemon for soothing sore throats. Ginger is also very comforting to bathe with when you don’t feel good, or have arthritic pain. Add 1/8 cup of ginger powder to the bath or a few slices of the root. Soaking tired aching feet in ginger tea or taking a ginger bath is so relaxing and warming after those snowy days when you are chilled to the bone. It will warm the water and circulate your blood. It contains a compound called “gingerol” which inhibits inflammation and eases rheumatoid arthritis. It stimulates peripheral circulation, which is helpful for pain and congestion. Using a compress of ginger tea, (soak a cloth in ginger tea) apply to the chest for lung congestion. Put a few towels over it. Reapply up to three times as needed. You can use a ginger compress on any aches or pains and you may also use a heating pad to drive the heat in if you wish. The constituent “gingerol” is also known to be effective in thinning the blood, inhibiting blood clots to form and lowering cholesterol levels. Ginger has therefore been helpful for preventing cardiovascular problems such as hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure. It is helpful for cold hands and feet resulting from slow blood circulation. It has even been used in formulas for impotence. Some massage oils contain the essential oil of ginger for its properties of stimulation. Ginger is very helpful when nausea is present and is used for travel sickness and morning sickness. It soothes the bellies of pregnant women, who should drink a weak cup as needed in moderate amounts. In small amounts it can soothe nausea in pregnant women, but in large amounts it can stimulate the uterus, so use it responsibly in cases of pregnancy. It is known to have emmenogouge properties, which is that it can bring on menstruation. For menstruating women, ginger lends its antispasmodic properties to the uterus, relieving painful cramping. Being a carminative, ginger stimulates digestive function and is soothing to upset stomachs, nausea and intestinal cramping. Try making your own “ginger ale”. Make the amount of ginger tea you prefer, add your choice of sweetener, a slice of lemon and an equal amount of carbonated water to the amount of tea you have made. It is quite tasty! Ginger is anti-parasitic, as seen in Asian cultures; it is eaten with raw fish also known as sushi! Crystallized ginger is candy for the digestive system; look for it at health food stores. Ginger is an ingredient in Chai tea, a warming spicy herbal tea made with milk originating in India. Use ginger in stir-fries. How about gingerbread or pumpkin pie? Ginger in different forms fresh or dried is very common and found pretty much anywhere. One of my favorite kitchen herbs! Ginger Blessings~