Ginger

Ginger is a perennial plant that has thick branching rhizomes that are very aromatic. Ginger is grown in a number of different countries but is commonly found in China, India and Mexico. The rhizome, which is the underground stem of the plant) is commonly used as a spice to season many different recipes and it is also used as an herb for a variety of different health conditions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has made use of ginger as an herbal medicine for a period of more than 2,500 years. It has been used to help those who suffer from coughing, abdominal Bloating, Diarrhea, Vomiting and rheumatism. In the Ayurvedic system of healing ginger is used to help improve inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatism and Arthritis.

Once dried, the rhizome contain one to four percent of volatile oils. It is these oils that are responsible for the medical properties of oil as well as the taste and odor of ginger. The two ingredients that make up the aromatic portion of ginger are called bisabolene and zingiberene while the pungent ingredients include gingerols and shogaols. It is the pungent ingredients that are believed to quiet upset stomachs and bouts of Nausea and Vomiting.

Ginger has been shown to be extremely beneficial in terms of motion sickness and morning sickness in pregnant women. It is also very useful for those who suffer from osteoarthritis. If ginger root in its pure form is not available, nor is capsules, tablets or ginger Tea another option is to drink a 12-ounce glass of ginger ale.  To be as effective as possible, ginger needs to be taken ahead of time so the body can digest it. Dried ginger root can also be used to make Tea and powdered ginger provides an excellent and tasty addition to many recipes. Ginger snaps are excellent for those who experience problems with digestion, as indigestion is another ailment that ginger can improve.

Ginger has been given to patients suffering from Nausea and Vomiting after surgery with excellent results as well as Nausea that accompanies chemotherapy. Ginger has been recommended for the pre and post-surgery health of a patient and it has been shown to help cases of vertigo. In combination with other herbs, ginger has helped when it comes to epilepsy and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).