Ginger is a popular cooking ingredient. In fact, a cursory survey found that ginger is a versatile condiment all over the world. It is greatly common to oriental and Asian cooking, not only as a spice for regular dishes but also as appetizer of various sorts.
Ginger is not only a kitchen staple but also a health wonder. The United States Food and Drug Administration lists ginger among its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) fiid items. Meanwhile, The World's Healthiest Foods describes it as an uncommon cause of food allergy.
Nutritionists caution that ginger is not recommended for people suffering from ulcers, inflammatory bowel problems, or blocked intestines. Studies have found that it interacts with some prescribed medications, contra-indicated in people with gall stones.
Still, ginger is dominantly a healthy spice as proven by countless studies. Ginger has been linked to a number of therapeutic properties- it acts as a digestive aid, increasing motility of the gastrointestinal tract; relieves pain (analgesic); is a sedative as it promotes calm and induces sleep; prevents or reduces fever; helps promote healthy sweating by warming the body; is anti bacterial, anti fungal, and anti inflammatory; contains a minimum of 10 anti-viral compounds; and boosts immunity.
One beneficial characteristic of ginger is that it is concentrated with active substances, which means that even a small pinch or dose can already create a profound effect.
Recent studies have also provided validation of ginger's important value as a folk remedy. It is proven to help ease cough, colds, sore throat, stomach problems, congestion, fever, flu, and headache. Ginger also helps relieve insomnia and is capable of managing depressive moods.
The benefits of ginger does not stop there. The wonder spice can also address heart and blood circulation problems, such as angina, stroke, and Raynaud's Disease. It can also assist in the prevention of cataracts, liver problems, and autoimmune diseases, among many others.