Ginger Spiced Health

Ginger is a rhizome which functions as a root as well as a stem to store the nutrients for the plant. This rhizome is a medicinally active form which has been used in India and other Asian countries since time immemorial to add flavor and spice in food. This culinary component is actually a herb with medicinal value and this is exploited in this article.

The main components of ginger which gives it a characteristic flavor and pungent taste are essential oils like zingiberone and poly phenols like gingerol and zingiberol. When heated or cooked for a long time, gingerol is converted to zingiberol. This reduces the pungent taste of ginger and also adds a sweet aroma to the food. Some dried ginger also called ‘sunth’ is an important ingredient in many Asian dishes.

Some therapeutic actions of ginger

1. Ginger is an important digestive agent a sit increases the secretion of saliva by stimulating the salivary glands. Thus right from the time food is chewed, the action of ginger starts to enable the process of digestion. This can be explained. As the saliva secretion is stimulated, the food is acted upon by amylase and other enzymes which are present in saliva to digest the proteins.
2. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory agent. Hence it is used to treat disorders of the bowel where inflammation takes place like inflammatory bowel disease. Some types of diarrhea, specially in children is also cured by ginger.
3. Arthritis is another inflammatory disease affecting the joints. By acting as an anti inflammatory and reducing the autoimmune symptoms of the illness, ginger helps in reducing pain and swelling in arthritis.
4. Muscle spasms are also reduced by ginger. This is helpful in treatment of dyspepsia and diarrhea.
5. Nausea and motion sickness are also improved by ginger. Perhaps this is the reason why travelers commonly keep ginger drops or ginger candy in their travel bags. The antinauseatic action is also helpful for pregnant ladies who experience gastric irritation and nausea sensations during the first trimester and sometimes even later.
6. Cough and congestion are also readily improved by consistent use of ginger. The phlegm in the lungs is readily removed or pushed out of the lungs due to the expectorant action of ginger.
7. Asthma patients also feel a relief when ginger is used regularly. This is because the bronc ho spasms are reduced and there is a dilatation of the bronchi reducing the constrictions.
8. Sometimes fever is also reduced and controlled by the increase in body temperature on consuming ginger and aiding perspiration.

Honey and ginger

Honey is another natural product which aids in passing on the benefits of ginger to the body. It diffuses and sometimes dissolves the active constituents of ginger and helps in faster relief of symptoms of diseases when ginger is consumed with honey. Typically ginger is grated and squeezed into honey. Typically, one teaspoonful of ginger secretions is mixed with one teaspoon of honey for added benefits. Another alternative of consuming honey-ginger mix is to prepare tea concoction and add ginger while boiling. Then honey can be added as a sweetener.

Some preparations of ginger

* Ginger pickle
* Ginger jam or marmalade
* Gingerale or ginger squash
* Lemon ginger syrup
* Ginger in tea
* Ginger in pulses, vegetables and curries
* Ginger candies
* Ginger mouthwash