Taste it Tuesday: Ginger, It's Not Just a Stripper Name, It Can Actually Benefit Your Health

Until recently the closest I ever got to ingesting ginger was when I had a hangover or morning sickness....or both. Just kidding. I only had a couple of boxes...I mean glasses of wine my whole pregnancy.

But seriously I had no idea what the real deal smelled like, or even looked like. If you put a chunk of it in front of me I would have wondered why there was tiny tree branch on my plate. Then I attended a Holistic Moms Network meeting where the topic was juicing, and my view of ginger completely changed.

Dr. Josh, a local Chiropractor, holistic dad, and all around cool crunchy dude, went through the basics of juicing. He explained the benefits, showed us how the machine worked, and then it was time for a taste test.

He put in pretty normal stuff: an apple, carrot, some leafy greens, and then the curve ball...a nugget of this golden root looking thing, GINGER.


I was a little like, " Hmm I wonder how THAT'S going to taste." But I rolled with it anyway, figuring if it was awful I could just pass it along to my toddler who drink or eat just about anything.

I took a quick swig. Wouldn't you know that fruity, veggie, ginger juice concoction was damn good! SO good in fact, I haven't juiced since then without throwing in a bit of ginger goodness.

This ancient spice is beneficial for a whole lot more than just kicking your juice up a notch. Not only has it been used for centuries in China and East African countries, but western science is finding proof that it has serious healing abilities.

Here are 9 ways Ginger can benefit your health:

1. When brewed in tea it can stop a cough, open up your stuffy nose, or alleviate a sore throat.
2. A study at the University of Michigan found that when applied to ovarian cancer cells the ginger powder caused the cells to die.
3. Next time you are on a boat or a REALLY long car ride, try drinking ginger powder mixed with a glass of warm water to help with nausea or dizziness.
4. Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties which can help with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Taken as a tea it can relieve heartburn as well as morning sickness
6. A recent study at the University of Minnesota found it slows the growth of colon cancer cells.
7. It can promote intestinal gas, a common relief for gastrointestinal distress.
8. When ingested, the heat from the plant can cause your body to sweat. That sweat contains germ fighting agents secreted through your skin which can offer protection from harmful bacteria.
9. The oil from ginger root can be rubbed into achy muscles, improving circulation and blood flow

Here are some easy ways to incorporate ginger into your meals via World's Healthiest Foods:

• Turn up the heat while cooling off by making ginger lemonade. Simply combine freshly grated ginger, lemon juice, cane juice or honey and water.
• Add extra inspiration to your rice side dishes by sprinkling grated ginger, sesame seeds and nori strips on top.
• Combine ginger, soy sauce, olive oil and garlic to make a wonderful salad dressing.
• Add ginger and orange juice to puréed sweet potatoes.
• Add grated ginger to your favorite stuffing for baked apples.
• Spice up your healthy sautéed vegetables by adding freshly minced ginger. 

Do you use ginger at home? Got any recipes? Share them below!

Spicing Things Up in Granolaville,

 

 

Posted in: alternative medicine,body,ginger,recipes,remedies,taste it Tuesday