Ginger for the Tummy
I personally love the taste of ginger. To the point where I could almost just eat it. Almost. Which if you've ever tasted raw ginger then you know how much of a feat that is. It is POWERFUL not only in medicinal quality but also in taste and smell.
Many of us have sweet memories of our parents giving us a ginger-ale when we had a stomach bug and needed something to soothe us. Ginger is known around the world for being a calming presence in our stomachs. There are also many other delightful effects of ginger which we will explore in this blog post.
Now I feel that I must off the bat be honest that I have not actually grown ginger, although it is high on my list for this upcoming spring. It is not expensive to buy but I love the idea of growing it myself organically and harvesting it by hand. I think it my mind the work will make it taste better. Probably not, but we shall see.
GINGER'S USES
As I said, ginger is widely used not only as garnish but medicinally. Ginger is famous for its ability to reduce inflammation. It is considered a hot herb (I'm sure you could have guessed by the taste). It promotes circulation and is an analgesic which means it temporarily reduces the nerve endings that are sensing pain which makes it wonderful for problems such as arthritis.
It promotes circulation significantly in the pelvic region making it helpful in managing cramps and menstruation. It is known as a reproductive tonic for men and women.
Ginger helps maintain a level blood sugar as well making it useful in the management of Diabetes and heart disease. (Out of control blood sugar has been linked to heart disease)
Famously used in the treatment of nausea, motion-sickness, and seasickness. When I was pregnant with my son, I used ginger lozenges to ward off my nausea and they did wonders. Sometimes, even just the smell can be calming but most often ingesting a little bit of ginger does the trick for mild nausea.
It is an antiseptic and works very well in gastrointestinal infections (infections of the digestive tract), including things such as food poisoning.
As ginger is warming it is used to help cold type imbalances such as the cold, flu, and many respiratory illnesses. It is calming and warming, which aids your body in battling cold illnesses.
HOW TO USE GINGER
There are many ways to use ginger. Some of the most common are tea and in drinks such as ginger-ale or ginger-aid. All of which have good effects on maintaining hydration and warding off feelings of misery caused by the sickness.
Ginger syrup is another good way to take it if the taste is a little strong. Chopped ginger which has been allowed to ferment in honey is excellent for a sore throat or nausea and has a milder flavor than just ginger alone.
Ginger balls, or hot balls as some people call them are great treats to get in a regular dose of ginger without the strength of ginger plainly taken. Take 2 tbsp of ginger powder, 2 tbsp of cocoa powder, 1 tbsp cinnamon, and mix all together. Add honey until the texture becomes like that of bread dough. Add 1/2 tsp of water and continue to knead, add more ginger or cocoa if necessary. Roll into balls and let them dry at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep at least a month, possibly longer.
You can also make a poultice out of the ginger for cramps. Blend it up in a blender or roughly chop the ginger then make it into a paste with hot water (you can use the powder as well). Place the paste on your stomach (be careful not to burn yourself and use caution if you have extremely sensitive skin) then put a warm, wet cloth over the mixture or place a dry cloth over it and put a heat bag on top. Keep replacing the heat until the cramps subside or for 20 minutes at a time with short breaks. This works even more quickly when taken with ginger-aid (see recipe).
Ginger has been a huge help to me in my life and I absolutely love it! I'm sure when you get to trying it you will too!
Blessings!
Kelsie
(The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.)