 Ginger (English)
Adharak
(Hindi)
Ingi (Tamil)
An ancient Indian proverb
states that everything good is found in ginger.
Ginger is a tropical species
native to Asia. It is originated from Southeast Asia or China sometime in the
8th century.
Both
ancient Hindu and Chinese people used ginger for its high medicinal qualities.
Ginger was used in ancient
times as a food preservative and to help treat digestive problems.
Ginger is
gnarled, bumpy fibrous root with smooth glossy light brown skin. The flesh of
the root is white.
Ginger Plant is a 30 – 60
cm tall tropical plant.
Ginger is a clump of
flattish hand like shapes with slim roots growing downwards from the ginger
plant and the leaf-bearing stems growing upwards above the ground. The flowers
are at the base of the plant, hidden by the leaves.
It takes about nine months
to reach maturity. Following the appearance of the flowers, the tops begin to
die, leaving the ginger rhizomes ready to harvest.
Jamaican ginger is
considered to be the best of all.
In 800 AD ginger ranked
second to pepper as a spice for centuries.
Greeks
would eat ginger wrapped in bread to treat digestive problems. Eventually ginger
was added to the bread dough creating that wonderful treat many around the globe
love today: gingerbread .
When selecting gingerroot,
choose robust firm roots with a spicy fragrance and smooth skin. Length is a
sign of maturity, and mature root will be hotter and more fibrous.
Keep in mind
that fresh ginger, much like garlic, mellows with cooking, and turns bitter if
you burn it.
Stomach Tonic:
Whether you've got
heartburn, abdominal cramps or a queasy stomach, a soothing cup of ginger is the
herbalist's stomach remedy of choice. Ginger contains compounds similar to the
digestive enzymes found in your digestive tract, which may help you digest a
heavy, protein-rich meal more easily.
Cold & Cough:
If you feel a cold or sore
throat coming on, try sipping on ginger tea throughout the day. In India, ginger
has traditionally been used to treat cough, colds and flu.
Modern studies confirm that
ginger helps kill the influenza virus and helps the immune system wage war on
infection.
Nausea & Vomiting:
Ginger ale
eventually stemmed from a ginger beer made by the English and Colonial America
as a remedy for diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Refresher:
Ginger is a
mood enhancer, the Cineole present in ginger helps provide stress relief. It is
a great mouth freshener and ginger tea is known for its refreshing properties.
Lowers Cholesterol:
Studies suggest
that ginger can be useful in keeping cholesterol levels under control.
Morning Sickness:
Ginger is a time-tested
remedy for morning sickness; generations of expectant moms have found that a cup
of ginger tea first thing in the morning can make breakfast a whole lot more
appealing.
In fact,
studies show it's even more effective than the prescription drugs.
Ginger comes in many forms
including fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallized (or candied) and
powdered or ground.
Ginger tea: Slice some
ginger root, put it in a tea ball and place in a teapot. Pour boiling water over
the tea ball and let it sit for ten minutes. Sweeten with honey or drink it
straight.
Ginger
noodle soup is healthy and tasty. Try Ginger pickle with curd rice.
Sweets including cakes,
cookies, breads and beverages can be flavored with ginger. |
