Ginger
Ginger exists as many species, however, there is just one edible variety of ginger, Zingiber officinale. Zingiber is derived from the Sanskrit word shringavera, which translates to “shaped like a deer’s antlers.” These fat antlers are the ginger plant’s rhizome, or root system, and form thick, fleshy, fingerlike stems.
According to Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal lore, it strengthens the nervous system, restores sexual energy, strengthens the immune system, helps with bronchial problems, prevents and relieves menstrual cramps, and promotes healing, and builds strength against long-term illness. The flower of the ginger plant is said to have sensuous arousal powers: it's been used as a seducing botanical
for centuries.
Ginger’s roots reach so far into human history that no definitive date is established for its discovery. However, Chinese and Ayurvedic herbal-medicine lore record ginger’s use as an anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory agent in 5000 B.C.
Modern medical research into ginger shows positive effects for indications including motion sickness, postoperative nausea, cardiovascular conditions and osteoarthritis. Ginger may also help reduce pain and inflammation. The plant’s active component, gingerol, has a structure similar to capsaicin, a known pain reliever.
The chacteristic odor and flavor of ginger root is caused by a mixture of zingerone, shoagoles and gingerols --volatile oils that compose about 1%–3% by weight of fresh ginger. The gingerols have analgesic, sedative, antipyretic, antibacterial, and digestive effects.
• Arthritis --In one published trial, 74% of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers reported marked pain relief and 59% reported a reduction
in swelling.
• Nausea --A study from Brigham University found that ginger curbs nausea by interrupting the feedback between the stomach and the nausea center of the brain.
• Circulation --Ginger has been shown to stimulate circulation and the warmth it imparts to the body corrects the surface chillness associated with colds.
• Antioxidant --Ginger contains phenolic compounds that protect fat cells from being damaged by highly destructive free radicals.
• Digestion --Ginger is a carminative (ridding the stomach and intestines of gas) and an aid in the digestion of fatty foods.
It was the ancient Greeks who came up with ingerbread. To treat indigestion, they ate ginger root wrapped in bread. Placing powdered ginger root into the bread was the logical next step.
significant nutritional content:
gingerol ---antiviral, antioxidant, antibiotic, antiinflamatory, motion sickness, digestive aid, stimulates circulation and respiratory systems, warming effect, relieves arthritis, sore throats, and may be used topically to relieve sore muscles |
