Ginger - Zingiber officinale 

Edited 2009

Anti-Oxidant, Circulatory Stimulant

It was from the Sanskrit word 'shringavera' (meaning 'horn body') that the Latin name Zingiber was derived. When Ginger was introduced into England it became known as 'gingifer' and it is from this word that the name we call it today evolved. Ginger grows best in tropical and sub tropical regions. The 'rhizome' (root) is used in cooking and medicine.

The warmth of ginger means that it can easily be seen as an aid for the blood circulation.

History Of Ginger
More than 5000 years ago the ancient Chinese and Indians looked upon Ginger as the 'universal medicine'. It has received praise from Confucius and Pliny for helping blood circulation. Nostradamus wrote recipes for Ginger preserved in honey and the Koran mentions a fountain of Ginger-flavoured water.

The ancient Greeks ate ginger wrapped inside bread after meals to help digestion and circulation and the early English made a soothing ginger beer to aid the stomach.

Recent studies to test the validity of medicinal claims have proved positive in a number of areas. In particular, Ginger has been found to have the ability to stop nausea and vomiting, prevent coronary artery disease, and heal (and prevent) arthritic conditions and stomach ulcers. Its powerful blood circulation effects are at the root of many of its observed benefits. Ginger was also shown to be effective against tumour growth, migraines and rheumatism.

Nausea and motion sickness
Results of scientific tests, noted in the Lancet in 1982, show that "The powdered rhizome of Zingiber officinale has been found to be more effective than dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) in reducing motion sickness in individuals highly susceptible to this malady."

More medical reports show that Ginger is effective in easing morning sickness in pregnant women and post-operative nausea in patients recovering from surgery.

Another trial studied 80 naval cadets, unaccustomed to sailing in  heavy seas. Out on the open sea it was reported that "ginger root reduced the tendency to vomiting and cold sweating significantly better than the placebo did".

Digestion
Ginger is a great aid to digestion. It increases digestive movement through the stomach and duodenum, and has also been shown to stimulate several valuable digestive enzymes in the pancreas.

In India and China it has long been the custom to drink a tea  brewed from fresh Ginger, as an aid to digestion after a meal. The enzymes in Ginger break down protein efficiently and rapidly, leaving the digestive system free of any discomfort.

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