Ginger

 

Common Name: Ginger

Latin Name: Zingiber officinale

One of my favourite herbs, Ginger is native to Asia and thrives in hot, humid environments rich in moist soil. Used both culinary and medicinally, ginger’s versatility as a medicinal has been used to treat such ailments as upset stomach, colds and flus, cramping, muscle pain, nausea, morning sickness and motion sickness. Used in combination with other herbal medicines, ginger makes things taste better. Its warming action is both soothing and comforting. My mother would make a ginger poultice for muscle strains and aches as well a strong ginger tea infusion for fevers and upset stomach. The Chinese make seasonal soups from ginger to help warm the body during the colder months or use it to help bring on menstruation.

Parts Used: Rootstock

Constituents: Rich in volatile oil which includes zingberene, zingberole, borneol, citral, starch, mucilage, resin

Actions: Stimulant, carminative, rubefacient, diaphoretic, circulatory stimulant

Medicinal Uses: Ginger contains proteolytic enzyme that has been shown to reduce inflammation and help repair damaged joints and cartilage tissue and is thus a great aid for treating arthritis and joint pain.

It has been used as a reproductive tonic for both men and women by improving circulation in the pelvic region thus making it helpful to women for symptoms of PMS and menstrual cramping.

It is highly effective as an anti-nauseate, useful for morning sickness, motion sickness and anti-nausea drug for chemotherapy without side effects. Great as a digestive aid, its antiseptic properties are highly effective for treating gastrointestinal infections and food poisoningIts warming action is helpful for colds and flus, respiratory congestion and sore throatsExternally it stimulates circulation and can be used for poor circulation, cramping and chilblains. A tea of ginger helps to bring a fever down, acting as a diaphoretic, promoting perspiration. Studies confirm the use of ginger for lowering blood sugar linked to diabetes and heart disease.

Used In: Steady GroundHeat RubLeg & Back Creme