Ginger

Now why do people like ginger?  My husband used to start the day out with a few gingersnaps until he found how many bad fats were in them.  Personally, I think he is craving the ginger to stimulate healing and cleansing in his system.  An acupuncturist told him one time to discontinue that practice as he sweats easily. I think it’s a good practice as sweat is one way the body detoxifies. 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a warming (yang) circulatory stimulant grown in tropical Asia since ancient times. It acts to cleanse the whole body, especially the kidneys.  Putting a couple tablespoons of ginger powder in your hot bath water will stimulate a great sweat and bring toxins to the skin so they can be released. And it flushes down the drain easily so you don’t have to worry about it plugging things up.

Note:  If you wear your shoes out on the outside heel area, ginger would be useful in your diet.  This type of wear indicates a kidney meridian imbalance.

Ginger is used in many herbal formulas where circulation to the extremities is needed (like in natural arthritis formulas.) Ginger helps in diseases of the lung and digestive systems.

I often recommend ginger for car sickness in pets and people.  The dose is 1-2 capsules 20 minutes before the car ride—hopefully on an empty stomach.  It also helps with clearing gas and in promoting menstrual regularity and occasionally it is effective for relief of menstrual cramping (although I have never experienced relief from my own cramps with ginger!).  Ginger can also be used for morning sickness.

I’ve noted that many of my older clients test strong on ginger. Ginger comes in many forms. You can cook with the powder, grate the raw root into your cooking, or use ginger juice or paste to make a nice cup of tea.  The other way to use it is to take a couple of sugared ginger slices or cubes (also called crystallized ginger) after you eat your meal. I’ve seen sugared ginger in our local grocery store in the bulk food section, but you can also get it in larger health food stores. Ginger helps digest your meals.  I also add ginger powder to my fruit smoothies for an extra kick. That’s really good.

Ginger Tea: I use ½-1 teaspoon of ginger paste or a teaspoon of ginger juice and put this in the bottom of a 8-12 ounce coffee cup then add boiling water, stir in a little honey and sip the decant. You don’t need to drink the sludge at the bottom of the cup to get the benefits. It’s a nice warming drink on a cold day.

I also recommend home-made gingersnaps with extra blackstrap molasses for those extra minerals, especially for those small children who are pale and anemic.  I particularly love Ginger Chews which is a caramel-consistency very spicy candy you can get in Oriental food stores. Sometimes you just have to use tempting resources that will be accepted.  Some kids won’t take anything without sugar they are so addicted! 

Lots of options here for Ginger. It’s a great herb. You’ll like it.

Page Last Edited 09/23/08

Diet & Nutrition Handouts in this section:

 Can't find something? Go to the Site Map

or search the Newsletter Alphabetical Index