As we landed, the warm, humid, murky air in Mumbai tickled my nostrils. My 3-year-old grabbed my hand and tried to hide behind me. Suddenly, the air was filled with so many sounds from honking cars to people calling each other. Like every trip my brother-in-law was there to greet us. My head was pounding with throbbing pain. It has been a routine by now. Every India trip, I went through this unrealistic pain… as we reached home my co-sister suggested to apply dry ginger paste before sleeping and rest is history….
I have always used fresh ginger in my cooking but hardly thought of using dried ginger with such a convenient health remedy. That’s when I decided to explore ginger.
so lets do it together…
Exploring ginger
Ginger is native to Asia and is revered for its health benefits by the Asians. It was extensively used by the Ayurvedic Indians and traditional Chinese as a healing root. Ginger is mentioned in ancient Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern writings.
Ginger first traveled to the Mediterranean and by the Middle Ages it became known throughout the Europe. Ginger is commonly used for decoration, adding zest to dish and for medicinal purposes. Ginger flourishes in the tropics. The top commercial producers of ginger are Jamaica, India, Fiji, Indonesia and Australia. Half the world’s ginger is produced on India’s Malabar coast, in cities of Calicut and Cochin. According to ginger savvy chefs the best ginger, with mild flavor ideal for cooking comes from Jamaica. Most of the ginger shipped in US is from Hawaii. Ginger has its signature strong woody sweet smell. Its outer covering is very thin with a light tan and the inner portion is creamy light yellow.
Health benefits
1. Ginger helps in treating common cold.
Ginger is rich in phytonutrients, called gingerol which are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Thus, it helps relieve common cold.
Consuming it with lukewarm water can have immediate effects on cold and flu.
2. Ginger is best remedy for all Nausea:
Nausea is a possible symptom of many conditions and diseases. But it’s a very common sign of several problems like motion sickness, morning sickness, medication-induced nausea, nausea from anesthesia or chemotherapy, nausea from digestive upset like food poisoning, nausea after surgery. Ginger reduces all symptoms related with motion sickness including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweating. According to one study, ginger was proved more effective than over-the-counter prescription drug for motion sickness.
3. Ginger helps in pain reduction:
Ginger has been proven to be very effective in reducing exercise-induced muscle pain. Ginger also help reduce the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, the severe pain that some women experience during a menstrual cycle. With ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties ginger is able to reduce inflammation and treat any inflammatory conditions. It can even for treat inflammation linked with osteoarthritis.
How to use?
• Fresh ginger goes great with shellfish. Grate fresh ginger and dried mint into melted butter and serve as a dipping sauce with steamed lobster or shrimp.
• Sprinkle ginger and brown sugar on acorn squash or sweet potatoes before baking.
• Rub into meat before grilling, to help tenderize and add flavor.
• Ginger works well in white sauces and dessert sauces.
• Finely grate fresh ginger over cooked tofu or noodles.
• Sprinkle ground ginger in applesauce or use it in fruit pie fillings.
• Grate fresh ginger into cheesecake batter.
• Grind crystallized ginger and sprinkle it on top of whipped cream or ice cream.
• Make ginger syrup by combining ¼ pound peeled and diced ginger with 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, and cook for 30 minutes. Strain and cool.
Home remedies
1. Mix ginger powder, clove powder and salt and consume it twice a day for relief for relief from cold and sinus.
2. Add 1 tsp of ginger juice to 1 tsp of honey for relief from cold and cough
3. One of the best benefits of ginger powder is relieving headache. Apply the powder paste on the forehead and let it dry. Apply the paste on the throat to relieve throat pain
4. Mix ginger, turmeric and fenugreek powder and consume it with twice a day for overall well-being.