Ginger

Ginger or Ginger root is considered to be the bulb of Zingiber plant that is used for either medicine or the spices. Ginger belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae. The other spices that belong to same family are turmeric, gangagal and cardamom. Initially, it was grown in Southern Asia but later it also was cultivated in the areas of Eastern Asia and also in Caribbean.

Uses of Ginger

Ginger is considered as one of the main ingredients used as the Kitchen spice. There are different varieties of Ginger where young rhizomes of ginger are fleshy and juicy that are mild in taste and majorly used by dipping in vinegar for making ginger snack or even can be used as the basic ingredient of many cooked dishes. It can also be used to make ginger tea by adding it in boiling water while preparation of tea. The commercial use of Ginger since year 1740 for the preparation of ginger candy or ginger wine is in practice.

The full-grown rhizomes of ginger are very stringy and not that juicy. The juice of the older ginger is very strong and heady and forms a major part of many Indian recipes. It is considered as major ingredient of the following cuisines Chinese, Japanese, Korean and many dishes prepared in Southern Asia that adds flavor to the food.
It is also considered as an option for food preservation.

The usage of Fresh Ginger in comparison to ground ginger is in ratio of 6:1, though both of these varieties add the same flavor to whatever food items it is added. The kind of ginger used in the preparation of gingerbread, crackers and cakes, ginger beer, cookies and ginger ale is the dry ginger in powdered form.

Ginger root when cooked with sugar till it gets soft forms Candied ginger also known as crystallized ginger.

The fresh ginger is generally peeled before it can be consumed. To use the ginger for longer period of time for storing, it must be kept in the plastic bags and must be refrigerated.

Medical Use and Research

As per the studies of American Cancer Society, it has been endorsed as one of the spice that can be used in cancer treatment by helping in non development of tumors but still it has not been scientifically proven. The research for usage of ginger for cancer treatment is in very early stage and there are various experiments being carried on animals and it is hopeful that these treatments may prove good on humans also.

Few other studies also revealed that Ginger can be used for treating symptoms like nausea that can be due to morning sickness, sea sickness and chemotherapy. Many of the researches have shown that ginger is not good when consumed during pregnancy since it is mutagenic but few other researches found it to be anti-mutagenic. Few of the other studies revealed though not officially confirmed that ginger can be harmful for those suffering with arthritis, study also have reported that ginger has the property to thin the blood and hence, lowering the cholesterol.

Health Benefits of Ginger

1. Eating fresh ginger before eating lunch helps in stirring up the dreary hunger and immune the digestive juices in the body.
2. Few of the required nutrients needed by a human body can be achieved consuming ginger since it has the properties of assimilation and digestion.
3. It helps the body off the “microcirculatory channels” that pops up in the body from time to time.
4. Chewing fresh ginger dipped in honey helps overcoming the air sickness or nausea.
5. Ginger is beneficial in inflammatory conditions.
6. The other benefit of consuming ginger is to overcome the cramps in the stomach.
7. Mixing up ginger oil while bathing helps in relieving the pain in joint and muscles
8. Nausea that one can feel after any surgery can be relieved by chewing ginger.
9. Having throat or nose clogging consuming ginger tea can prove blessing.

Ways to use Ginger

1. Ginger with Herb Rice: - After cooking the basmati rice, remove the cover off the pan and add well chopped ginger along with finely chopped garlic, green chilies and unsullied cilantro leaves adds the unbelievable flavors.
2. Ginger Juice: - Adding grated ginger with carrot and apple juice proves delicious.

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