Ginger

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Family

Zingiberaceae (ginger)

Part

Rhizome

Energetics

Sweet, aromatic, hot

Actions

Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, rubefacient, diaphoretic, emmenagogue

Organs/Systems

Respiratory, digestive, circulatory, musculoskeletal, immune

Description

Ginger’s diverse uses make it hard to draw the line between food and medicine. It may be called a functional food for its safety and numerous health applications. Ginger is perhaps most well known for its use in treating digestive complaints such as nausea, motion sickness, indigestion, and poor appetite. It is an indispensible warming herb used in traditional medical systems around the world, useful for any case of coldness in the body. The potent and spicy aromatics in ginger root make it an impressive warming stimulant for many conditions such as poor circulation and menstrual cramps.. It can help nourish tissues by promoting circulation to cold and constricted areas.

Recent research is showing ginger’s usefulness in treating osteoarthritis, abnormal cell growth, and heart disease.

Ginger is one of those plants that is hard to draw the line between food and medicine. Indeed, it's warm and stimulating properties offer great use to cuisine, adding a pungent and spicy flavor that aids digestion and assimilation. Used medicinally, ginger is indispensable when there is a need to warm the body. It acts quickly to treat indigestion, nausea, gas, and food stagnation. The traditional use of including ginger with sushi continues today; it’s strong antimicrobial effect was quite useful before the days of refrigeration. Similarly, ginger is used as an antitoxin to moderate the toxic effect of other herbs. The warming aromatics also benefit respiration by stimulating expectoration and circulation of the lungs. There are little known uses, but good research to support ginger's use in treating anxiety and dysmenorrhea. It is important to note that dried ginger is warming to the interior of the body, while the high aromatic component of fresh ginger helps the heat escape through the skin.

Cautions

Use in moderation for people with hot constitutions.