Ginger

[waiting]

Ginger is a wonderful, yummy addition to many culinary dishes.

But did you know that Ginger can stop nausea? Ok, yes, you probably know that! But here are some more useful things about ginger:
Ginger can suppress coughs- just as well as codeine, but unlike codeine, ginger is an expectorant - which helps to loosen up the gunky stuff and remove it.
Ginger increases peripheral circulation with a warming feel, which counteracts the chilling of colds, flus and malaria.
Ginger juice is a pain reliever on burns, that acts as an anti-bacterial, reduces inflamation and decreases the blistering.
Ginger is easy to eat in its candied form.

The ginger plant is fairly easy to grow in climates that have heat and humidity. My mom is able to maintain her ginger clumps by growing it on the south side of her house, under the eaves, in a climate with a temperature range of 29 F to 110 F (~-2C to 43C)

Some of the above information, and much more, can be found in Stephen Buhner's book, Herbal Antibiotics.

[GreenGully]

mmm thank you! I live on Byron Ginger Nektar when I am sick.

[Quickening]

I didn't know that about ginger and burns. Would a poultice or compress work too?

[waiting]

Would a poultice or compress work too?

Thankfully, I haven't had a reason to try ginger on a burn, so I don't have any personal experience in this manner of use. Stephen Buhner's book says:
"One of its clinical uses is for burns. The juice of fresh ginger, soaked into a cotton ball and applied to burns, acts as an immediate pain reliever (even on open blisters), reduces blistering and inflammation, and provides antibacterial protection against infection."

[Gitti]

I use quite a bit of ginger when I make "Dahl". That is an Indian lentil dish and we love it. In India it is often used instead of bread.

DAHL: onions, garlic, lentils, salt, ginger, Cayenne pepper, Cinnamon, butter and flour to make a dark rue.

[Ayla]

I didn't know about ginger and coughs, thanks!

[Mr. Beyondtheory]

herbs medicinally by both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda (trad. medicine of India).

I recently read a really good book on it by Stephen Fulder.

Apparently ginger is an excellent motion sickness remedy, as good as many pills, and often better.

It is excellent at improving digestion, and can be used to good effect if your digestion is below par.

It is a good anti-nausea remedy, and is useful for morning sickness.

It is good for resolving low fevers if they won't come to a head properly. This is because of the warming effect of ginger. The powder is more "heating" than the fresh rhizome.

Here's a quote from an article on Ginger ...



Ginger has played an important healing role throughout history. It’s often referred to as the universal medicine in Indian Ayurvedic teachings, and it’s used in more than 50 percent of traditional Chinese herbal formulas. It contains essential fatty acids, phytochemicals, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, numerous B-vitamins and zinc. It’s no wonder that it has so many important healing properties, such as helping to regulate blood sugar, aid digestion and boost the body’s immune system.
Ginger is also recognized for its ability to settle upset stomachs–ginger ale has long been a folk remedy for curing a bellyache. Indeed, in numerous randomized trials, ginger has proved as efficacious as vitamin B6 in soothing morning sickness in pregnant women. Motion-sickness sufferers also find that taking a few ginger capsules prior to a plane ride can result in a more pleasant trip. If car, boat or plane rides make your kids queasy, try giving them a capsule or two about half an hour before departure (but check with your pediatrician if your child is under 2).
Ginger has eased upset stomachs for centuries and has no known side effects when used in moderation–no more than 4 grams a day for adults, and not for extended periods during pregnancy. (Note: Ginger is not recommended for anyone who has gallstones or is taking anticoagulants.)
People still brew ginger tea to warm up on a cold winter’s day and to relieve their aches and pains. That’s no surprise, since ginger stimulates blood circulation and is an anti-inflammatory. Ginger tea is very easy to make–just chop some fresh ginger and simmer it in water for about five minutes. Strain the liquid into a cup and sweeten it with honey.