Ginger is used in southeast, Asian and Chinese cuisines. It has many benefits. Chinese culture believes a balance of Yin and Yang energy in our body which maintains our health. Ginger is one of those foods which creates warmth in our body and suffuses more of the yang energy – The Vitality of our Life. If you have more of Yin energy it will give you low energy, coughs and colds.
You may have heard the saying, “A Spoonful of Ginger keeps the Doctor Away”. What does that exactly mean?
Ginger has many benefits. Most of the Asian countries have copious amounts of ginger in their cuisines whereas in western countries ginger is completely absent. Occasionally you may find a ginger cake during the holidays or mulled apple cider in Fall season. But it is hardly used in savory dishes.
Ginger is a root which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It is a pungent aromatic rhizome used to spice food, add a flavor profile and is also prized for its medicinal qualities. Harvesting of ginger is done by simply uprooting the rhizomes, cleaning them and drying them. Ginger has a lot of medicinal properties not to say that it makes your food tasty and enhances your eating experience.
What benefits does ginger have?
It helps to improve your digestion. It helps in your digestive processes by promoting the digestive enzymes that help us break down the food.
Improves immunity – Since ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties it helps to fight colds and coughs and fights recurring infections.
Ginger also is used to reduce pain. Gingerol a compound found in ginger helps in reducing arthritis pain.
Ginger is also used with skin issues. Ginger because of it’s yang qualities increases the blood circulation. The antioxidant properties help in slowing the aging by slowing down the collagen breakage. As a result, the skin looks younger.
Ginger helps in weight loss, controls insulin levels and boosts metabolism.
Ginger improves brain health; Chronic inflammation in the body over time can create a decline in brain activity. Ginger with its powerful antioxidants can improve neurotransmitters in our brain. Ginger helps in releasing serotonin and dopamine to help fight mental illness such as depression and anxiety.
Since ginger has so many benefits, how can we use it in our own life to create a better and improved health?
Ginger Tea – Make a ginger tea by adding ginger slices steeped in tea.
Spice with Ginger – Spice your dishes such as Soups, Curries, Stews, cookies, smoothies and desserts.
Ginger Shots – Ginger Shots which are available in the grocery store are good and easy way of having a quick boost of this magical potion in your diet.
Add ginger to your diet in many ways. So a Spoonful of Ginger will go a long way to benefit your health.
Ginger Tea:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 tea bag
2 to 3 slices of ginger
1 teaspoon honey
Method:
Boil a cup of water with a tea bag, add slices of ginger. Steep the slices for a few minutes. Strain the ginger slices and remove the tea bag. Add honey and serve.
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