Ginger, which is native to Asia, has been an important component of herbal remedies and culinary recipes since ancient times. Ginger is heating, stimulating and carminative--it reduces digestive gases--as well as soothing and antiseptic, according to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies"; but its specific properties differ slightly depending on whether it is fresh or dried. Clinical trials do not provide enough evidence to support traditional beliefs about medicinal use of ginger, reports Mayoclinic.com. Talk to your doctor before using ginger, and avoid large doses of ginger if you are pregnant.
Taste and Effect
There are important differences in taste and overall effect between dried and fresh ginger. Fresh ginger is pungent with a lemon-like flavor. It is rather moist and gives off a lot of juice if crushed. Dried ginger root has no juice, is less lemony in flavor and more pungent.
Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine uses fresh and dried ginger for slightly different medicinal applications, according to "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants." Traditional Chinese applications of fresh ginger root include relief of muscle aches and pains as well as fever and headaches. Applications for dried ginger focus on using it as a circulatory treatment that imparts heat to the body to relieve symptoms of coldness--including cold and numbness in the extremities, pallor and weak pulse. However, there is not enough clinical evidence to support these medicinal uses of ginger.
Dried Ginger
Dried ginger is more pungent and therefore considered more heating to the body than fresh ginger, states "The Yoga of Herbs." Dried ginger also is regarded as a stronger stimulant for both digestion and circulation. The heating drying action of dried ginger makes it a traditional treatment for reducing an excess of mucus, although clinical evidence is lacking to support such effects.
Fresh Ginger
Fresh ginger relieves excess wind, or gas, states "The Yoga of Herbs." It is a traditional remedy that may help treat colds, vomiting or cough. Although it is not as heating as dried ginger, fresh ginger may be a better diaphoretic--a means for promoting perspiration and cleansing the body. The medicinal effects of fresh ginger are not yet supported by clinical evidence.
Convenience
Dried ginger requires less preparation and will keep longer than fresh ginger. In order to use fresh ginger, you must peel and chop, crush or grate it. If you use dried powdered ginger, your can simply pour it from its container. Store peeled and tightly wrapped fresh ginger root in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. To keep it longer--for up to six months--store fresh ginger in the freezer. Dried ginger loses its potency after about six months, so don't keep more on hand than you can use in that time.
References
- "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants"; Andrew Chevallier; 1996
- "The Yoga of Herbs"; David Frawley and Vasant Lad; 2001
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies"; Norman Shealy; 2002
- Mayoclinic.com: Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)
- Food.com: Kitchen Dictionary--Ginger
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