Ginger is one of those plants without which many nations cannot imagine their lives. The medicinal properties of ginger are widely used in Asia. For every Asian, ginger is a basic addition to food and a very effective remedy for viral infections (ginger tea), nausea (ginger infusion) and menstrual cramps (ginger root slices). Read or listen to what other properties ginger has.

Ginger( Zingiber officinale ) is a spice that we used to associate with beer and cookies from American movies. In Polish cuisine, in powdered form, it only added flavor to tripe, hare pate and gingerbread.

In tropical Asia, ginger has been cultivated for over 3,000 years, although its origin is unknown. Ginger was used in the Middle East and southern Europe long before the Romans. The Portuguese brought him to Africa, the Spaniards to the West Indies. This is one of the oldest cultivated plants.

Ginger is used as a remedy with healing properties, effective against viruses and nausea, an aphrodisiac, a spice, an additive to cosmetics and perfumes, a raw material for making beer and an ornamental plant. Since fresh ginger root is cheaper and easy to buy at any supermarket, we can all benefit from its wonderful properties.

Healing properties of ginger - why is ginger he althy?

The intense aroma of ginger, with a fresh, slightly sweet and slightly woody note, is due to zingiberol - a component of the essential oil. On the other hand, resinous substances, e.g. gingerol and zinferon are responsible for a burning, slightly bitter taste. All these substances have healing properties. Thanks to them, ginger, among others :

  • Cures colds and other viral infections- relieves pain in joints and muscles because it is rich in anti-inflammatory substances. It is included in some ointments and warming patches. During the massage, a few drops of ginger oil relieve sore muscles.
  • Facilitates digestion.The essential oil in the rhizome helps when you suffer from digestive disorders. It stimulates the secretion of saliva and gastric juice, has a choleretic and diastolic effect, and heals flatulence.
  • Relieves nausea(is a component of anti-motion sickness medications), prevents vomiting afteranesthesia and chemotherapy. Increases the appetite.
  • Reduces the aggregation (clumping) of platelets , thus preventing the formation of blood clots and preventing thrombosis. It is a necessary addition to the menu of people with high cholesterol.
  • It soothes menstrual cramps.It is also worth adding it to your food as soon as you notice the first signs of PMS.
  • Cures migraines- when used regularly, it reduces the frequency and number of attacks, and also relieves the accompanying nausea.
  • Has anti-swelling effect , because the essential oil contained in it has a diuretic effect.
  • Cares for the oral cavity.It has a disinfecting and refreshing effect, leaves a pleasant smell in the mouth. Heals infections, stimulates the secretion of mucus. It is a good idea to rinse your sore throat with it (pour 2 teaspoons of powdered ginger into a glass of very warm water).
  • Increases concentrationand mental performance because it improves the blood supply to the brain.
  • Improves blood circulation , great warms up the whole body. In Chinese medicine, it is considered "hot", causing fire in the body. It also stimulates the sexual organs. Where it grows, i.e. in tropical Asia, it is used as an aphrodisiac.

Who is not allowed to eat ginger?

Ginger is a very hot spice that has an irritating effect. You cannot eat it with impunity. Avoid ginger if you have a chronic gastrointestinal disease, such as :

  • stomach or duodenal ulcer
  • acid reflux

Ginger in the kitchen

Dried ground ginger, popular in Poland, differs from fresh ginger in taste and cannot be used interchangeably. Raw ginger adds freshness and spice to seafood, and improves the taste of bland dishes and fatty meats such as duck and pork. Ground is best for sweet dishes, e.g. biscuits, cakes, fruit salads. It also goes perfectly with baked apples.

Raw ginger must always be peeled, and it is best to use a knife to scrape the skin only from the piece you are going to use. It should not be combined with herbs in any dish, because they conflict with its aroma. But it goes well with spices: allspice, bay leaf, cloves, nutmeg and pepper.

Worth knowing

Ginger -calories,nutritional value (in 100 g) Energy - 80 kcalTotal protein - 1.82 g Fat - 0.75 g Carbohydrates - 17.77 g (including simple sugars 1.70 g) Fiber - 2.0 gVitaminsVitamin C - 5.0 mg Thiamine - 0.025 mg Riboflavin - 0.034 mg Niacin - 0.750 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.160 mg Folic acid - 11 µg Vitamin A - 0 IUVitamin E - 0.26 mg Vitamin K - 0.1µgMineralsCalcium - 16 mg Iron - 0.60 mg Magnesium - 43 mg Phosphorus - 34 mg Potassium - 415 mg Sodium - 13 mg Zinc - 0.34 mgFatty acidssaturated - 0.203 g monounsaturated - 0.154 g polyunsaturated - 0.154 g Data source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

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Find out moreWorth knowing

Ginger - selection and storage

Ginger can be bought fresh, pickled, dried and powdered.

Fresh ginger should not be stained and its color should be between cream and light brown.

Keep fresh ginger in a cool place. To extend the life of ginger, wrap it in a paper towel and put it in a plastic bag, and then in the refrigerator - this way it will stay fresh for up to several weeks.

Ginger - preparation and administration

Fresh ginger has the best flavor. It can be shredded, ground, sliced ​​or grated.

Replace fresh ginger with a 6: 1 ratio of fresh ginger (six units of fresh ginger to one ground).

The richest flavor and the most fiber is in the middle of the ginger rhizome.

Ginger should be shred in the direction in which the fibers are arranged.

Fresh ginger slices can be placed on the lettuce, or boiled and a soothing infusion.

Dried or powdered ginger is a perfect spice for any dish and an ingredient in a delicious marinade.

Canned ginger goes well with Asian cuisine and is a beautiful decoration for any meal.

This will be useful to you

Ginger species

  • lemon ginger
  • Japanese ginger
  • medical ginger
  • Malayan ginger
  • yellow ginger

In medicine, citrus and yellow ginger are used, in the kitchen - Japanese ginger and medicinal ginger.

Ginger and pregnancy

Pregnant women can eat ginger, but in small amounts, as this spice has a strong warming effect and can irritate the stomach.

Ginger used during pregnancy will help with morning sickness, gas and indigestion.It works well with colds because it has a warming effect. It improves blood circulation, facilitates digestion and has a diuretic effect, thus reducing swelling.

Avoid ginger if you are struggling with high blood pressure. This is especially important in pregnancy as high blood pressure is very dangerous for the mother-to-be and the developing fetus.

Ginger for beauty

Ginger oilis used in slimming and modeling preparations because it stimulates blood circulation and accelerates fat burning, and fights cellulite. The ginger scent, full of freshness and exoticism, is the basis of many perfumes. The ginger note is often combined with other spices (pepper, cardamom) and adds "strength" to men's cosmetics.

Types of ginger

You can buy whole and powdered ginger root in Poland. In oriental food stores you can find candied and pickled ginger - pink and white - which, dipped in soy sauce, is an addition to e.g. sushi. It is worth looking for aromatic candies and ginger cookies. On the shelves of alcohol stores you will find vodka and ginger beer.

The latter, however, should not be confused with "ginger ale", a popular carbonated drink created in Ireland, more often in our country under the name "anada dry". At stalls in China and Hong Kong, canned ginger is offered - soft roots sunk in sugar.

You must do it
  • Aromatic ginger tea

Ingredients: approx. 5 cm of peeled ginger root, honey, milk

Boil half a liter of water, cut the ginger into small pieces, put in boiling water, and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey, half a glass of milk. Serve the ginger infusion in cups.

  • Coffee with ginger

Ingredients: 2 cups of espresso coffee, 2 teaspoons of honey, 2-3 pinches of ground ginger, milk or whipped cream.

Mix honey with ginger and pour overcoffee . Serve with whipped cream or whipped milk.

  • Quick ginger salad

Ingredients: 300 g of smoked salmon (the best one is by weight, smoked cold), half a bunch of parsley, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of thick cream, 5 cm of peeled ginger root, s alt, pepper.

Chop the parsley and ginger. Cut the salmon into 3 cm pieces. Mix the mayonnaise with the cream, s alt and pepper. Combine all ingredients. Put the salad in the fridge for 20 minutes. Serve with white bread or rice cakes and white wine.

Read also:

  • Ginger infusion - how to prepare it? Recipes
  • Home remedies for indigestion
  • Anticancer properties of herbs
  • Natural herbal and plant antibiotics
About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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