Ginger is an herb originating in tropical areas. It has attractive purple flowers but it's most known for its underground stem, called a rhizome. These rhizomes are used in cooking and baking. Ginger can be found in its whole raw or pickled form in most grocery stores, and is available in its powdered form, used in many different recipes. Ginger is also available in supplement form and as an ingredient added to many teas.
Cooking For Flavor
Ginger has traditionally been used in Asian and Indian cuisine to give its creations a unique and delicious flavor, and has made its way into many areas of cooking across the world. Ginger can be used in stir-fry dishes, as a component in salad dressings and dipping sauces, and as a flavorful part of meat, fish, poultry and vegetable glazes. Ginger has also been used as a bold ingredient in breads, cookies and other sweets, with a special reputation as a main ingredient in holiday baking.
Alleviating Nausea
Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to treat nausea and diarrhea. In instances when anti-nausea medication is contraindicated, as in pregnancy, ginger can help alleviate an upset stomach and dizziness. According to the National Institutes of Health, ginger may also help those suffering from nausea as a result of surgery and motion sickness. Ginger contains chemicals that act on the stomach and intestines, and they may also work in the brain and nervous system, to help control nausea.
Treatment of Inflammation
Ginger has also long been used as a treatment to reduce inflammation. According to the University of Maryland, ginger has been used to help treat disorders associated with inflammation, such as arthritis and ulcerative colitis, therefore reducing pain. Ginger has been used in treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, the National Institutes of Health states that more research needs to be done to establish ginger's success in remedying these conditions.
Improving Other Conditions
Ginger has been used as a natural therapy for several other ailments, such as respiratory tract infections, coughs, bronchitis, baldness, malaria, poisonous snake bites, migraines, aches and pains and burns. The National Institutes of Health states that insufficient evidence exists for ginger's effectiveness in treating these conditions, and that more research needs to be done to determine whether ginger has a positive effect on individuals suffering from these ailments.
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