Ginger, First aid on a Plate.

Whether it’s making your first gingerbread men as a child, or having a slice of Granny’s ginger cake with tea, the aroma of ginger often conjures up pleasant memories. Native to Southern Asia, ginger has been embraced across the world, flavouring savoury dishes in the East, and used traditionally in sweet recipes in Western countries. In many 19th century English pubs, a jar of ginger was kept on the counter so people could add it to their drinks, and so ginger ale was born. But as well as providing a distinctive flavour to cooking, ginger has been used for centuries in the East, for its medicinal qualities.

Ginger is known for its warming effect on the body. Maria Holzamer a medical herbalist says;
“Ginger is an excellent circulatory stimulant, reaching all extremities.”

It can either be drunk as a tea, or grated ginger root can be added to hot lemon and honey, to raise the body’s temperature, and help the body fight off colds and viruses. Ginger also has expectorant and anti-bacterial qualities, making it a useful remedy to try when suffering from respiratory infections.

As well as being warming, ginger has a stimulating effect. In India and China, tea made with ginger root has been drunk after meals for centuries, to aid digestion. Gingerol, the main active ingredient of ginger, enhances the secretion of digestive juices, which helps to neutralize stomach acids, and has an antispasmodic effect on the muscles of the digestive system. People looking for a natural remedy with potential to relieve symptoms of bloating, indigestion, nausea and travel sickness, may find that ginger is just what they’re looking for.

Ginger can also be good for your heart, as it stimulates circulation and enhances blood flow. It is claimed that ginger can make blood platelets less sticky and less likely to join together in clots. Ginger also appears to impair cholesterol absorption, lowering blood cholesterol levels. Together these properties can help maintain a healthy heart. In Ayurveda medicine (literally translated as the science of life), ginger is known as the ‘Universal medicine.’

Other benefits of ginger include pain relief. Ginger’s antispasmodic effect can relieve menstrual cramps, and its stimulating action can help promote menstruation. Gingerol also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for people suffering with arthritis. As Ginger is very warming, it is especially appropriate for cold non-lubricated joints. Consuming ginger regularly may help reduce pain levels and improve mobility.

Luckily ginger is not difficult to get hold of; it’s available in fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallised, powdered or ground form. For maximum medicinal effect ginger can be brought as a supplement, which could be particularly useful if you don’t like the taste. However it is fairly easy to get the benefits just by including it within your diet regularly. Fresh is ultimately the best option, and ginger root is available in vegetable shops and supermarkets. To ensure freshness and quality, the ginger root should be firm, with an unwrinkled, smooth skin.

Ginger chunks can be added to a stir fry, or grated ginger can be mixed with honey, or butter as a glaze, for roasting vegetables. When making your own juices, freshly grated ginger, can provide an extra zing. Ginger can be included in salads, stews, curries, as well as sweet recipes. If you’re not much of a cook, you could try one of the many available, ginger teas. Alternatively you could treat yourself to a slice of Mrs Crimble’s ginger cake, which is also wheat free, or try the very refreshing Bottlegreens’s Ginger and lemongrass cordial, both are available at health food shops and some supermarkets.

Ginger could be seen as first aid on a plate, time tested for centuries in the East. Why not enjoy these benefits, and make ginger a regular item on your shopping list.