Ginger is used the worldwide as food and as medicine. In Asian cultures, ginger is known as the “Universal Medicine” for it’s wide range of healing actions. Scientific research is just beginning to understand the mechanisms by which ginger provides its benefits.

Studies have shown that ginger root has anti-inflammatory actions, similar to arthritis drugs such as Celebrex, but without the risk of side effects.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy find ginger useful to combat the severe nausea associated with this procedure.

In many cultures, a treatment for common colds is a few slices of ginger root boiled, cooled, and drank as a tea mixed with honey. This is often preferred to cough syrup (Honey should not be consumed by children under two years of age).

Ginger is part of the daily diet in many parts of the world. Apart from being a pleasant tasting and warming spice, ginger has a strong action to promote digestion and food absorption.

Winter is a particularly great season to increase your consumption of ginger root, because it acts as a peripheral circulation stimulant, which can keep those hands, and feet warm on chilly winter nights.

Curley writes from New Eastern Health Center, 1 Shellbay Ave., Court House. She can be reached at 609-539-2336.

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