Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, is a perennial that grows 4 feet tall. The name for its family of plants, Zingiber, comes from the Sanskrit word "shringavera," referring to the shape of a deer's antlers. The underground rhizome, or root stalk, is the part of the ginger plant that is most often used. The plant is propagated by planting pieces of the rhizome.
Food
Ginger is a spice and a flavoring for drinks such as beer and ginger ale. It has a sweet and spicy flavor and a pungent aroma. Ginger is eaten with sushi and is included in a jerk seasoning for Jamaican food. Ginger seasons gingersnap cookies. The English use ginger to make ginger jam and candied ginger. The fresher the ginger the better the flavor will be. Dried ginger has a more intense flavor and is often used in cooking.
Nausea and Inflammation
Since the 1500s, Indian, Chinese and Japanese cultures have used ginger as a digestive medicine, stomach upset reliever and diarrhea or vomiting remedy. Clinical trials show that it is safe and effective in a limited capacity for the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, according to Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Some clinical trials are testing ginger for its early promising results in lessening the amount of nausea and vomiting in those on chemotherapy. Both the intensity and the length of time were shown to be reduced, according to Wellness.com. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports on the possible effectiveness of ginger for fighting the inflammation of osteoarthritis; some patients reported less pain, but more clinical trials are needed to test its full effectiveness for inflammation. Side effects of ginger can include gas, belching, heartburn, bad taste in mouth and mouth irritation.
Motion Sickness
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, researchers have been testing ginger in cases of motion sickness to see if it can remedy the nausea symptoms of some who travel in boats and cars. While clinical results have been mixed, herbalists recommend 250 mg three times a day as the recommended dose for motion sickness.
Member Comments