Ginger – the Root of Healing

I love ginger, and Grace O, founder of FoodTrients.com, has provided me with even more reasons to love it. Per Grace, ginger is like a little medicine chest of natural remedies and health benefits. Traditional Indian medicine calls ginger the “universal remedy.” It’s commonly used to relieve nausea, can stimulate circulation, relax muscles, relieve pain and as an anti-inflammatory. There are so many ways ginger can detox, help heal or just make you feel better.

Grace and FoodTrients has provided this list of the benefits of ginger:

1. Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition has demonstrated ginger’s anti-cancer activity, suggesting it may be effective in the management of prostate cancer. Other studies have indicated that ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties may help fight tumors of the pancreas, ovaries, colon, breast, lungs and skin.
2. Sipping ginger tea or chewing on some ginger root can help relieve menstrual cramps. It may work as well as ibuprofen.
3.  Helps relieve nausea associated with post-surgery, morning sickness, motion sickness or chemotherapy. Simply chew on a small piece.
4.  A good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese.
5. Has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-parasitic properties. The antioxidants protect the body from damaging free radicals that can cause disease.
6. Detoxifies the body by stimulating circulation.
7. Can help open up the capillaries in the nose and sinuses. Boil gingerroot and add honey to create a tea that’s effective for relieving a sore throat and reducing nasal congestion.
8. Helps you sweat out the toxins in your body, which is helpful when you have a cold or flu.
9. Helps reduce gas and flatulence.
10. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can relieve joint pain and help reduce the swelling in bronchial tubes associated with asthma.
11. According to Dr. Joseph Marcola’s website, there is evidence that ginger reduces severity of migraine headaches as effectively as the migraine medication Sumatriptan – with fewer side effects.
12. Traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine suggests that ginger is an aphrodisiac, so go ahead and spike the soup!

Ginger is so delicious, healthful and versatile, you’ll always want to keep some in your refrigerator. Fresh gingerroot has the highest concentration of active ingredients, but dried and cooked ginger maintains its healing properties. Buy the whole gingerroot, then peel the skin off just what you need and slice. Put the remainder back in the refrigerator to peel and grate for the next dish. There are a number of recipes in Grace O’s cookbook, FOODTRIENTS – Age-Defying Recipes for a Sustainable Life, that contain gingerroot.

Here is a great tea recipe of Grace’s.  For more information and recipes go to FoodTrients.com.

Gingerroot Black Tea

¼ inch gingerroot, peeled and sliced thinly
2 black teabags
2 cups boiling water
2 rock sugar stirrers (optional)

1. Combine the gingerroot and the teabags in a pitcher with the boiling water. Steep for 1-3    minutes; strain
2. Pour into two teacups; serve with rock sugar stirrers, if desired

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of three award-winning cookbooks – The Age Gracefully Cookbook, The Age Beautifully Cookbook, and Anti-Aging Dishes From Around the World. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry.