The spice ginger has a very long tradition as a medicine in the history of China, and in some other countries. It has been studied extensively by scientists and can be used reliably and safely as a spice as well as in home treatments.

We have all heard about the benefits of chicken noodle soup for helping us while we are sick or nauseous. It is a fact that ginger used to be commonly used in this soup, often in good amounts, that gives it a lot of its reputed healing nature.

NAUSEA

Ginger is very effective in treating and reducing nausea. Research has shown it to help stop vomiting, reduce morning sickness, and treat similar effects of chemotherapy. Ginger may be eaten in any form (see below) or may be part of drinks.

Ginger beer is great, ginger ale may be added to cranberry juice as a great cocktail, lemonade and teas can be spiked with a little ginger.

MOTION SICKNESS

In clinical trials, ginger was found to be more effective than the most common medications recommended for motion sickness. It is best to take ginger 20 to 30 minutes prior to the activity that induces motion sickness, such as driving, boating, or carnival rides. Naturally flavored ginger ales, or ginger beers work well, as do other common forms of ginger such as the spice itself, candied, or pickled.

ANTIBACTERIAL

Ginger has antibacterial qualities that make it a good spice to use in foods that are touched as part of preparation (ie. the chicken in chicken salad, or potatoes in potato salad). When these stay warm for awhile on the dinner table or on a picnic, the bacterial growth will be reduced. This could easily save you from a bout of food poisoning. High ginger foods are less likely to spoil as leftovers.

SIMPLE RECIPE IDEAS

Ginger is a great spice to add to chicken noodle soup and many other types of soups as well. It can also be added to stews, chutneys, marinades, vegetables, and puddings with appetizing results.

For dessert recipes using ginger, the amount can be increased. Especially learn to make your own ginger snaps, with two to three times the ginger called for, to use these as stomach calming treats in the automobile or for carnival rides.

Fresh gingerroot can be used in cooking, though the bottled spice works very well in most of the suggested dishes. Ginger may also be used in its candied, pickled, or dried forms. The candied form may be chopped finer and used in recipes calling for candied fruit. It piece of the candy or sugared ginger may be placed in the middle of a ginger snap before baking to increase its health benefit.