Spice Up Your Diet with Gingery Goodness

The unique spice of ginger is something that’s often enjoyed in cookies, cakes and teas. But did you know that the knobby rhizome lends more than just a snappy kick to foods?

Ginger has long been touted as having medicinal benefits. Since ancient times, Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal medicine has used it to treat a variety of ailments, including stomach upset, colic, heart conditions and arthritis. It turns out that in many cases science backs up those traditions.

Perhaps the most common modern medical use for ginger root is in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Doctors often recommend that those who regularly experience mild motion sickness munch on ginger-laced items to quell the symptoms. Pregnant women with morning sickness can also get some relief by chewing on pieces of the rhizome or sipping ginger tea.

Ginger is also widely used as a natural remedy for hot flashes related to menopause and cancer treatments. Chewing on ginger or ginger-flavored items can calm the sudden-onset symptoms as they occur and prevent them from returning.

When it comes to viruses like the common cold, ginger can also be a helpful recovery aid. Ginger tea soothes sore throats, producing a numbing sensation. The spicy tea can also open up clogged nasal passages and relieve coughing.

Modern doctors aren’t entirely sure why ginger helps ease the symptoms of so many ailments. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds found in ginger root are thought to be the active components, but it hasn’t been studied thoroughly enough to make a definite conclusion. Regardless of the reason, many health professionals who ascribe to natural remedies can’t get enough of this wonder rhizome.

There are many different ways to work ginger into your diet. Adding fresh ginger to your food or boiling it in water to make a ginger herbal tea is always an option, of course. If you don’t have the fresh version on hand, you can also get that gingery goodness from other sources. Crystallized ginger is a spicy, sweet t reat that’s very popular and great to take on the go. You can also steep a sugary slice in hot tea to give your drink some pep. Ground ginger can be added to soups, hot drinks or baked goods like breads, cookies and muffins. Candies containing ginger oil, such as Ginger Cuts, can soothe coughs. If you crave something a bit more luxurious, dark chocolate ginger slices may be right up your alley.

It’s important to check with your doctor if you’re taking prescription medications on a regular basis before beginning an herbal treatment plan that includes ginger. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have shown that ginger can interact with blood-thinning medications. Once you get the go-ahead, dive right in! Even when you’re feeling top-notch, ginger can spice up your day and your diet.

See some NutsOnline customer testimonials on crystallized ginger here.