By Joann DiFabio
Nauseous? Sea sick? Bad gas? Have some ginger!
Ginger has long been believed to aid in many digestive ailments. Aside from being a staple in Asian cuisines, this spice has been known for its healing qualities since ancient times.
It is classified as a spice, but ginger is actually the thick stem of the ginger plant. Fresh ginger is very easy to find in the produce section of local supermarkets. Mature ginger has a thicker skin and needs to be peeled while young ginger (typically only found in Asian markets) does not need to be peeled. Ginger may also be found down the spice aisle in powder form, but it does not pack the same potent flavor as fresh ginger.
Modern herbal medicine hails ginger as a digestive aid. It is used to relieve excess gas in the intestines and it relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract. In a study published in the Obstetrics and Gynecology journal in April of 2005, ginger has also been proven to significantly relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with the early stages of pregnancy. Other studies have also shown ginger to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness.
Aside from relieving morning sickness, women should applaud ginger for its proven ability to combat ovarian cancer cells. Findings presented by Dr. J. Rebecca Lui at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer showed that gingerols, the active phytonutrients in ginger, help kill ovarian cancer cells by inducing the cells’ self-destruction mechanism called apoptosis. And unlike conventional chemotherapy treatments, the ovarian cancer cells did not become resistant to the ginger’s cell-destroying effects. Since ovarian cancer is often not diagnosed until the later stages when treatment may prove ineffective for women, ginger can be an excellent preventative measure in combating ovarian cancer.
Other health-promoting qualities of ginger include anti-inflammatory properties (for arthritis), and sweat-inducing properties (great for sweating out a cold or flu).
Ginger is easiest to enjoy in Asian dishes such as stir-frys and rice or noodles. It is an excellent compliment to citrus fruits as well. Aside from its root and powdered form, ginger may also be found pickled (to accompany sushi), candied, and dried. Candied ginger chews are a great treat after a meal to cleanse your palate and calm your stomach. To incorporate it into your Asian-style cooking, simply cut and peel a one-inch piece of fresh ginger, and either grate, mince, or julienne it and mix it in with your dish. Adding ginger to a recipe earlier will provide a milder ginger flavor, while adding it later will provide a more potent and spicy flavor. Experiment with the flavor power of ginger, and you’ll be doing your body a whole lot of good in the process!
