Ginger: Exploring Interesting Facts, Its Uses and More

Ginger is native to southeast Asia, but it is cultivated almost everywhere.Ginger from Asia or Jamaica is considered to be superior in quality. Although ginger is mostly used fresh, other variations of the herb also are available, such as ground, dried and pickled.

Ginger is one of the earliest spices. This very strong-smelling herb was mentioned in the works of Confucius, as well as the Koran (the holy book of the Moslem community). Bar keepers in the 19th century served small amounts of powdered ginger with beer, the reason for this was so that their patrons could add a pinch of ginger to their beer, from this practice ginger ale was born. Sussex farmers used ginger to 'gee up' lazy animals by putting a little ginger on the animals rear end. Ginger was used against the plague, due to its diaphoretic qualities (ability to make the user sweat)

Ginger is a creeper type plant and grows about 3 feet long, it has long narrow bright green flowers. Ginger prefers a tropical climate, although it is referred to as ginger root it is not a root it is actually a rhizome.

Ginger is used to relieve indigestion, due to its ability to increase digestive fluids and saliva, for this reason it is also used when gas pains, diarrhea and stomach cramping are experienced, it is also used to safely treat nausea due to motion sickness and morning sickness in pregnancies, note that ginger should not be used for more than the first two months of pregnancy and no more than 250g should be taken at a time, and no more than 4 times a day, other uses include pain relief and reduction of inflammation in arthritis patients, it can also be used to increase blood circulation. According to recent studies ginger also possesses the ability to ward of tumors. Ginger is also considered as a basic anti - oxidant. Simply just cut some fresh ginger and boil it for a healthy tea, if taken regularly all the goodness of this 'root' will help reduce hypertension, this tea can also be used as a preventative measure.

Ginger is safe to take in all its available forms as it has no side effects and does not interact with any drug or nutrient that is already being used, patients that are under going chemotherapy or radiotherapy can safely take ginger to avoid stomach irritation. Ginger can also be taken the day after surgery to avoid post surgery nausea, but must not be taken for at least 3 or 4 days before surgery, due to the "blood thinning" effect it has. Patients with gallstones should always consult their physician prior to taking ginger as it is known to increase the flow of bile, also note that the capsule form of ginger should contain gingers pungent compounds, these are gingerols and shogoals, these tablets must always be taken with a full glass of water.