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Halina’s Herb Corner
GINGER
It’s that time of year where even if herbs are growing, they generally have reduced healing properties, so we need to turn to the herbs we have in our stock cupboards and kitchens.
During the cold, damp winter days and nights the idea of eating or drinking something that warms us from the inside out is highly appealing. Ginger the knobbly shaped rhizome is a spice most of have in either fresh or dried form, is just the trick.
As early as the time of Confucius, the Chinese have grown and used ginger as both a medicine and a food. In ancient Asia, as today, it was valued for its ability to ‘build fire’, both as a digestive and as an aphrodisiac. As one of the spices first traded along the Spice routes and Silk Road, ginger has always been highly regarded.
Ginger is a 2-4 feet tall slender perennial with grass-like leaves and greenish-yellow flowers. Once the leaves of the plant die, the thick approximately 6 inches long rhizomes, are dug up. Ginger is often referred to as a root but is in fact a rhizome which is a stem that grow horizontally underground. Sadly our UK climate does not suit this exotic plant, even the most pampered plant has produced a flower but no sign of a rhizome!
The Latin name, Zingiber, derives from interpretations of the name in Indic languages where ginger was described as “shaped like a deer’s antler (horn)”.
Many of us are aware and possibly have used ginger to reduce nausea, indeed midwifes recommend it’s use for nausea during pregnancy.
Ginger is also anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic and reduces elevated blood lipids. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is known as a ‘messenger herb’ due to its ability to carry other medicinal herbs around the body. This ties in with our recent understanding that ginger improves circulation to all parts of the body (including the reproductive system).
The ginger rhizome contains between 1 and 3% essential oils including the compound "gingerol" which is mainly responsible for its characteristic hot and pungent properties. These essential oils and resins are highly anti-microbial; the fresh juice is one of the most effective anti-virals I have encountered.
Rubbing freshly cut ginger on cold sores can be very effective. Likewise drinking a tea made from fresh ginger can aid in digestive upset of most causes, also, flu, chest infections, joint and muscular pain.
Fresh ginger can be grated and made into a delicious warming tea which when mixed with elderflowers and fresh lemon slices is a great aid for colds, flu, nausea etc.
I have seen both crystalised ginger and ginger snap biscuits taken to reduce the progression of migraines and the nausea associated with them.
Please remember because we are all unique, we can have different responses – always ask a qualified health professional if unsure.