Lois Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Ginger Nutrient values This food is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Iron, Magnesium and Potassium What is Ginger ? Family: Gingiberaceae Genus and Species: Gingiber officinale Ginger is a canelike, tuberous perennial plant native to southern Asia, and grows to a height of about 3 feet. The fresh rhizomes (not radix - or root) appear as irregular, fleshy bulbs, and in yellowish green color. Chinese and other Asian cuisines use ginger bulbs extensively for its spice, flavor and digestive properties. China and India are world's leading producers of ginger. Ginger is also cultivated in most of tropical and subtropical countries worldwide. Ginger rhizome has been extensively used for spice and medicine in Asian cuisines. Ginger has been used as a medicine since ancient times as recorded in early Sanskrit and Chinese texts and ancient Greek, Roman, and Arabic literatures. Ginger is almost as versatile as garlic in its health benefits. Ginger does almost everything that garlic does, and in addition, ginger is one of the best medicines for nausea, motion sickness (such as seasickness) and dizziness, and is also a traditional digestive aid. Usage Ginger's therapeutic effects are: stomachic, anti-emetic, salivant, stimulant, digestive, and cardiotonic. Ginger is helpful for soothing stomach, travel sickness, dizziness, morning sickness (vomitting of pregnancy), angina, arthritis, body odor, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds, cough, high cholesterol, pain, sore throat, swelling, tendinitis, and toothache. Ginger's digestive properties are well known in Asia and Europe. Ginger contains a digetive food enzyme called zingibain, which exceeds papain (from papaya) in digestive potency. Ginger also increases the concentration of carbohydrate-digesting enzyme amylase in saliva. Further down the digestive tract, ginger improves digestion and elimination by activating peristalsis [A Handbook of Chinese Healing Herbs, by Daniel Reid, 1995]. Like garlic, ginger also lowers blood cholesterol and reduces platelet aggregates as reported recently, and could be helpful for cardiovascular health. A daily dose of 2-4 grams of cut or dried ginger rhizome is recommended by German Commission E. No side effects or interaction with other drugs has been reported for ginger. More here- http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Gingerch.html Link to comment
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