Ginger is a root spice. It is also an important spice for dishes like Garlic, Onion or Coriander Seed etc. But it has a beautiful scent and wonderful health benefits, specially for Stomach and Intestine.
The spice ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant, known botanically as Zingiber officinale.
Ginger is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine. It is an aromatic & pungent spice. Though it is used as a spice it has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries among the others.
Asian stir Ginger during fries and with many fruit and vegetable dishes. It is mainly used with meat. Fresh ginger root is available year round in the produce section of your local market.
The flesh of the ginger rhizome can be yellow, white or red in color, depending upon the variety. It is covered with a brownish skin that may either be thick or thin, depending upon whether the plant was harvested when it was mature or young.
Nutrition chart of Ginger:
Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.
Health Benefits of Ginger:
Gastrointestinal Relief BY GINGER
It eliminates gastrointestinal distress and very effective in preventing the symptoms of motion sickness, especially seasickness. Ginger reduces all symptoms associated with motion sickness including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweating.
It is very much effective during journey, who becomes weak in travel and who have vomiting problem, if they keep a piece of raw ginger of 2 cm in mouth, then vomiting will stop and feel relief from motion sickness in whole journey by vehicles.
Safe and Effective Relief of Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
Ginger’s anti-vomiting action has been shown to be very useful in reducing the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Unlike anti vomiting drugs, which can cause severe birth defects, ginger is extremely safe, and only a small dose is required.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances are very much effective for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis when they consume ginger regularly.
Regularly spicing up your meals with fresh ginger may help, suggests a study published in a recent issue of Osteoarthritis Cartilage.
Protection against Colorectal Cancer
Gingerols, the main active components in ginger and the ones responsible for its distinctive flavor, may also inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells.
Research associate professor Ann Bode noted, “These results strongly suggest that ginger compounds may be effective chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinomas.”
Ginger Induces Cell Death in Ovarian Cancer Cells
American Association for Cancer, by Dr Rebecca Lui and her colleagues from the University of Michigan, showed that gingerols, the active phytonutrients in ginger, kill ovarian cancer cells by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) and autophagocytosis (self-digestion).
Ginger extracts have been shown to have both antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects on cells.
Immune Boosting Action
Ginger can not only be warming on a cold day, but can help promote healthy sweating, which is often helpful during colds and flus. A good sweat may do a lot more than simply assist detoxification. German researchers have recently found that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting agent that may help fight off infections.
How to Select and Store Ginger:
Today, the top commercial producers of ginger include Jamaica, India, Fiji, Indonesia and Australia.
Whenever possible, choose fresh ginger over the dried form of the spice . When purchasing fresh ginger root, make sure it is firm, smooth and free of mold. Ginger is generally available in two forms, either young or mature.
You can store Fresh ginger in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Stored unpeeled in the freezer, it will keep for up to six months.
You can store ginger by cutting by slice and dry it in the sun and keep it in a glass tightly in cool place. Alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator where it will enjoy an extended shelf life of about one year.
More Health Benefits of Ginger
1. Eat fresh ginger just before lunch. It wil stoke a dull appetite.
2. Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.
3. Ginger clears the ‘micro circulatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses .
4. Chew on ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey to remove airsick or nauseous
5. Ginger helps reduce flatulence!
6. Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger.
7. Feeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil into your bath to help aching muscles and joints.
8. Just had surgery? Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea.
9. Stir up some ginger tea to get rid of throat and nose congestion.