AKA: Calamus, Sweet Ginger, Ginger Root, Zingiber Officinalis

Ginger is a perennial herb that has orchid like purple flowers and a thick brown tuberous rhizome root. It thrives in the warm climates of southern Asia, where it originated, and can also be found in Jamaica, Nigeria, the West Indies. It has also been recently cultivated in Florida, California, and Hawaii. Ginger belong to the genus Zingiber, which is a word derived from Sanskrit meaning 'horn shaped', referring to the horn shaped bulges of the rhizome.

Ginger was first used in Asia 2,500 years ago, its rhizome (called a ginger root) utilized as a spice and flavoring agent. The horn shaped rhizome is brown on the outside and yellowish amber on the inside. When cut or crushed, it releases fragrant oil that can spice up almost any type of dish.  The plant is used in culinary dishes worldwide and has become a mainstay is cuisine. The spicy ginger root is not only used to spice up a dish, but also has carminative properties as well as stimulant, diuretic and antiemetic qualities.

Benefits and Uses

• A piece of ginger or ginger based candy can help combat nausea, especially seasickness and motion sickness.
• It will also help prevent vomiting and prevent morning sickness.
• Ginger also works as a carminative, preventing intestinal gas.
• It can also help improve heart health and lower blood pressure.
• Ginger also makes a good anti-inflammatory.
• Ginger can help kill off fungus and bacteria in your body making a good thing to take when you are feeling sick.
• Ginger has strong stimulating capabilities, helping warm up the body and fight off those nasty germs.
• Ginger can also help with painful or irregular menstrual problems.

Dosage

Ginger can be taken as an infusion by boiling ½ ounce of the bruised or powdered root in one pint of water. Take one fluid ounce of this infusion. Ginger can also be eaten raw with the recommended dosage being 10 to 20 grams.

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