28) THE SPICES OF LIFE-GINGER

THE SPICES OF LIFE-CORIANDER LEAVES AND SEEDS

English: Borman, A Red Ginger plant in Maui, Hawaii, April 2006. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Candied Ginger

As a child, I used to eat ginger that was pickled or coated with malt and sugar. 

The heat was not too strong.  For me, the after taste was minty. Usually, I like to suck the red ginger until it turns pink.  Then I would stick out my tongue to see how red it has become. Sometimes, I pretend that I was wearing lipstick by smearing some of the red color on my lips.

I also had to take a lot of ginger during the confinement period and it is believed to have medicinal value in getting rid of unwanted 'wind' from our bodies.  The heat also help us to sweat out the toxins and promote blood circulation. I had ginger, morning, noon and night as a thick soup cooked with rice wine,and free range chicken or as drinking water for two months. It was no picnic in the park but the benefits far outweigh the repercussions if you do not take ginger during this period. It is a known fact that eating ginger prevents chronic rheumatism, joint inflammation and  arthritis.

I remember during my first confinement, I sat on the front doorstep floor to catch a breeze on a hot and humid evening.  My mother came over with my dinner and when she saw me sitting on the floor, she was horrified and immediately shooed me into the house. She chided me and warned that the potential risk of sitting on the floor would be to suffer chronic rheumatism when I grow old and there is only one cure which is to catch mouse that has just died in the roof,  slowly burn it over an open fire until it becomes ashes and the yucky part is that I have to drink the ashes....Now, she may have used an old wives tale to scare me, but after that incident, I never sat on the front door floor again during my second and third deliveries. Did your mother tell you any old wives tale when you were in confinement?

Gari (A japanese pickled ginger.) ガリ。 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: A sachet of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) powder. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ginger is a root that can be eaten raw, pickled or added as a spice to flavor in cooking.  It is also used as a traditional herbal medicine.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Fingers (Photo credit: david__jones)

What are the benefits of Ginger?

1. Eating ginger can reduce motion sickness. Bring some candied ginger when you travel.
2. It also brings relieve to nausea due to chemotherapy, surgery, pregnancy
3. Ginger has  powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It may relieve pain and swelling caused by  Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Tendonitis.
4. Hinders blood clotting. Avoid taking ginger if you need to go for surgery or are taking blood thinners or aspirin.  Be sure to check with your doctor first.
5. Relief for indigestion and Gastrointestinal problems or Irritable bowel 
6. When you have a loss of appetite
7. Chills, Colds and Flu
8. Fevers, Headaches, Toothaches, Coughs, Bronchitis
9. Poor Circulation. Ginger is used as a warming remedy and ideal for boosting circulation.
10. Mentrual Cramps. Ginger has an antispasmodic characteristic.
11. Used as a medicinal herb to treat Dyspepsia(Symptoms: Bloating, Heartburn, Flatulence)
12. It ease stomach ailments such as wind or colic 
13. It acts as a natural blood thinner and may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
14. Prevents internal blood clots.

New Research

Ginger root was studied by The American Association for Cancer research and found to  actually suppress cancer cells.  This suggest that the herb was able to fuel apoptosis or the death of the cancer cells. Furthermore, the study has shown that Ginger can also work against skin, ovarian, colon and breast cancer. However, it was not shown to halt the progression of cancer until now. More research is required to confirm this.

A ginger root, whittled for the practice of . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chemical make up of Ginger

Author, Lalitha Thomas in her book, "10 Essential Herbs" wrote, "The major active ingredients in ginger are terpenes(quite similar to the chemical action of turpentine) and an oleo-resin called ginger oil. These two, and other active ingredients in ginger, provide antiseptic, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating, and mild constipation relief qualities along with a potent perspiration-inducing action that is quite effective in cleansing the system of toxins."

To continue with my series on spices, my next topic for discussion is, "The Spices of Life-Cinnamon".

You may also like to read:


31) THE SPICES OF LIFE-CORIANDER LEAVES AND SEEDS

16) DOES BLACK RICE VINEGAR HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS?

24) HOW LAUGHING IS HEALTHY.

21) HOW TO DETOX SAFELY.

MY ART CORNER

LOYAL FRIEND

Dogs make very good pets and are always a loyal friend. Pure bred dogs are especially intelligent, responsive and show unconditional devotion to their owners. Support the animal shelters by adopting an abandoned dog or get a puppy from a reputable source instead of from unscrupulous backyard puppy mills.

Thanks for looking and taking the time to read my blog.  I welcome feedback and please feel free to share your experiences in relation to today's topic.

Until my next post, "Here's to your health!"

DISCLAIMER

Readers are advised that the information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical care and should not be used treating a health problem or a disease and that the materials here are not meant as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your ailment

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