Say "ginger" and what immediately comes to mind? Probably ginger
tea and ginger chicken. Ginger can add a wonderful zing to all types of dishes, from
salads to main dishes.
Revered around the world for its pungent taste, ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a natural
spice that is also widely prized for its medicinal properties. Since ancient times,
traditional healers in a diverse array of cultures have used this plant primarily to help
settle upset stomachs. Chinese herbalists have relied on ginger as a medicine and
flavoring for more than 2,500 years. The early Greeks mixed it into breads (hence the
first gingerbread), and North American colonists sipped nausea-quelling ginger beer, the
precursor of modern ginger ale. Today, many cultures continue to rely on ginger for
controlling nausea and also for reducing inflammation.
A botanical relative of marjoram and turmeric, the ginger plant is indigenous to
southeast Asia and is now also extensively cultivated in Jamaica and other tropical areas.
It's the plant's aromatic rhizome (or underground stem) that's used for culinary and
medicinal purposes.
Ginger's long list of curative powers rival its infinite
culinary uses. In ancient China, ginger was regarded as a healing gift from God and was
commonly used to cleanse and warm the body. Ginger is a component in more than 50% of all
traditional Chinese herbal remedies. Today, we are learning what the Chinese have known
for 7000 years.
Ginger Forms:
Ginger is available in six forms: fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallized (or
candied), and powdered or ground. Its flavor is peppery and slightly sweet, with a pungent
and spicy aroma. Keep in mind that fresh ginger, much like garlic, mellows with cooking,
and turns bitter if you burn it. Know that the ground form has a different flavor, which
is most commonly used in sweet desserts and is not normally interchangeable with
fresh ginger.
Ginger - a natural preservative and meat tenderizer...
Ginger is a great natural preservative, bactericide and meat tenderizer. Nigerian test
tube studies show that ginger extract is effective in killing salmonella. Indian studies
report that ginger extracts inhibit the fungi that produce aflatoxin, a potent
carcinogen.* One study at the University of California at Davis tested the Nigerian
results. Researchers there cooked and then refrigerated pork patties. Some were unspiced,
some mildly spiced with ginger, some more strongly spiced. Patties made with ginger stayed
fresh as much as a third longer than the unspiced pork. The enzymes in ginger are similar
to papain found in papaya, which gently break down proteins and tenderize meats. —
*American Health Magazine
Does ginger burn fat?
Ginger is being investigated as a potential weapon in the battle of the bulge. Preliminary
test-tube research shows that ginger boosts thermogenesis, or calorie burning. By
measuring a complicated series of reactions in the tissue of rats, researchers found that
ginger made the tissues use more energy than they would have normally. The researchers
think the spice affects the nerves in some way. But we are still a long way from knowing
for sure if eating ginger does the same thing in the whole body of a rat, let along in
people. So for now, just enjoy ginger for the zing; if it burns off a few calories, call
it a bonus. — International Journal of Obesity
Ginger to warm you
Ginger has been shown to stimulate circulation and the warmth it imparts to the body
corrects the surface chilliness associated with colds.
Ginger and motion sickness...
Why is ginger ale served on airplanes? Many studies have shown that ginger eases motion
sickness and aids digestion. Commission E (a panel of experts appointed by the German
equivalent of the FDA and considered to be the world’s most reliable source on herbal
remedies) recommends consuming ginger to prevent motion sickness. In one study reported in
The Lancet, ginger capsules were more effective than Dramamine in reducing motion sickness
induced by a revolving chair. It’s no coincidence that ginger ale, as a soothing
beverage, has been served on the airlines nearly since the beginning of commercial
aviation. Today, more chefs in the travel industry (airlines and cruise ships) are
appreciating ginger’s curative powers and incorporating it into many dishes, from
sauces to desserts. As a flavor, ginger adds a clean freshness of its own while lifting
the other flavors in a recipe.
Health Benefits:
Ginger is an excellent natural remedy for nausea, motion sickness, morning
sickness and general stomach upset due to its carminative effect that helps break up and
expel intestinal gas. Ginger tea has been recommended to alleviate nausea in chemotherapy
patients primarily because its natural properties do not interact in a negative way with
other medications. It is a safe remedy for morning sickness, since it will not harm the
fetus. Some studies show ginger may also help prevent certain forms of cancer.
Ginger's effectiveness as a digestive aid is due largely to its active ingredients:
gingerols and shogaols. These substances help to neutralize stomach acids, enhance the
secretion of digestive juices (stimulating the appetite), and tone the muscles of the
digestive tract. Research confirms the presence of anti-inflammatory properties in ginger
as well.
Specifically, ginger may help to:
Relieve nausea. Standard anti-nausea medications often work through the central
nervous system, causing drowsiness. Ginger isn't likely to cause this reaction, however,
because it acts directly on the digestive tract. In studies of women undergoing major
gynecological or exploratory (laparoscopic) surgery, those who took 1 gram of ginger
before the procedure experienced significantly less postoperative reaction to anesthesia
and surgery—namely, nausea and vomiting—than did those who were given a placebo.
Ginger also may be useful in easing the nausea that frequently follows chemotherapy
treatments.
Combat motion sickness. In a widely cited study of Danish naval cadets, those given
1 gram of powdered ginger daily had much fewer incidents of cold sweats and vomiting
(classic symptoms of seasickness) than did those given a placebo. A number of other
studies have demonstrated similar findings concerning ginger's calming effect on motion
sickness.
Reduce dizziness. Ginger's anti-nausea action also helps dispel dizziness,
particularly when the dizziness is aggravated by motion sickness. Older people, who can be
unsteady on their feet, may particularly benefit from ginger's steadying influence.
Limit flatulence. Because ginger soothes the digestive tract, it can be useful in
relieving flatulence. Supplements or freshly grated ginger root mixed with diluted lime
juice work well for this purpose.
Control chronic pain. Ginger helps indirectly to relieve chronic pain by reducing
inflammation and, particularly when taken in standardized extract form, by lowering the
body's level of natural pain-causing compounds called prostaglandins. Localized chronic
pain may also respond well to ginger oil massages.
Ease the pain of muscle aches and rheumatoid arthritis. Ginger oil massaged into
sore or aching muscles offers a measure of relief from muscle strain, in part because of
the herb's anti-inflammatory properties. When taken in standardized extract form, ginger
may additionally lower the level of the body's natural pain-causing compounds called
prostaglandins. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may also respond to treatment with ginger,
either in massage oil or standardized extract form. In a study of seven women with
rheumatoid arthritis, reduced joint swelling and pain were reported following a daily
regimen of up to 1 gram of powdered ginger or 5 to 50 grams of fresh ginger.
Minimize symptoms of the common cold, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.
Ginger is a natural antihistamine and decongestant. It seems to provide a measure of
relief from cold and allergy symptoms by dilating constricted bronchial tubes. It's often
included in herbal decongestant blends that are designed for sinusitis and other
respiratory complaints.
Ginger Recipes:
To make ginger tea, slice some ginger root, put it in a tea ball and place in a teapot.
Pour boiling water over the tea ball and let it sit for ten minutes. Sweeten with honey or
drink it straight.
Braised Fish With Garlic
Broiled Ginger Chicken
Ginger Broccoli Soup
Ginger Chicken
Ginger Kheema
Ginger-Lemon Brew
Ginger Pickle
Glazed Cauliflower
With Ginger
Mutton With Ginger
Sea Bass With Ginger |
