Ginger
By kathy77
@kathy77 (7486)
Australia
April 10, 2007 1:16pm CST
Ginger
Ginger is widely used for its medicinal properties and also in many Asian and African cuisines.
Varieties
Fresh ginger or ginger root has a knobbly appearance with tan skin and flesh ranging from pale greeny-yellow to ivory. It has a sweet, peppery flavour with a pungent aroma. Peel the skin then grate, slice or pound the flesh.
Crystallised ginger is cooked in sugar syrup then coated in sugar crystals. It's great covered in chocolate. Ginger powder lacks the pungent aroma of fresh ginger but does retain the peppery taste. It's used in cakes and biscuits and is great in dry spice marinades. Pickled ginger is preserved in sweet vinegar and used extensively in Japanese cuisine. Served with sushi, it is used as a palette cleanser in between selections.
Conversation starter
In some cultures, ginger is traditionally used for the treatment of morning sickness and general nausea. Ginger beer is also said to settle an upset stomach.
6 people like this
19 responses
@samrat16 (2442)
• India
10 Apr 07
Ginger in India is also used as a medicine for getting cold away . It's nearly the best remedy for cold and I wanted to share it with you Ginger is well known for its warming action on the upper respiratory tract, so it has been used to treat colds and flu. You should use fresh gingerroot by slicing 2 - 3 peices and let them steep in some boiled water. Add honey to sweeten. If you are in a pinch you can make the tea with ground ginger powder. Just add approx. 1 tsp. to a cup of boiled water and sweeten to taste. The tea is warm and almost has a "peppery" hotness to it which is very soothing on your throat, chest, and sinuses.
@liuchuqi (32)
• China
11 Apr 07
Travis Barman, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, said water vapor has been found in the atmosphere of a large, Jupiter-like gaseous planet located 150 light years from Earth in the constellation Pegasus. The planet is known as HD 209458b.
1 person likes this
@tammyr (5946)
• Etowah, Tennessee
12 Apr 07
I hope that every one here will go to the aboves profile and report everyone of his responses. There is another person that posts right after this one almost every time.
Samrat, my BF's mom told him to take a spoon full of ginger for a cold. He did seem to get better faster and it was either the ginger or the honey he also used.
1 person likes this
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
10 Apr 07
Well ginger does have many values ....
When I was pregnant I really had bad "morning sickness" that would last all day long!!! and ginger ale would help ease it up a little - I know you can also make some kind of tea with the ginger root to have a stronger effect
I also heard that ginger was very good to help lower high blood pressure
And finally, it is said that ginger is an aphrodisiac as well ... ;-)
@diansinta (7544)
• Indonesia
18 May 07
i agree with you!
ginger have a lots of value. i used it to help my migrain and my gas in the stomach.
i also had my discussion about other herbal medicine,
come and stop by my discussion your efford, will be very help full.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Apr 07
I use Fresh ginger in curries and sauces and love the smell and taste, I also like it in herbal tea and cakes it is a very versatile ingredient. I've heard about it's medicinal properties too so it's actually good for you too.
@LouisJ (488)
• Turkey
11 Apr 07
Today,ginger root is widely used as a digestive aid for mild stomach upset and is commonly recommended by professional herbalists to help prevent or treat nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness,pregnancy and sometimes chemotherapy for cancer (although the latter has not been studied,yet).In addition to providing relief from nausea and vomiting, ginger extract has long been used in traditional medical practices to decrease inflammation.In fact, Many herbalists today use ginger to help treat health problems associated with inflammation such as arthritis, bronchitis and ulcerative colitis.The Chinese firmly believes that almost anything can be cured with some form of ginger and every home has it.
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I use a product called ginger juice..it is fresh squeezed ginger..it is made by a company called the Ginger People..they make everything ginger..but since I found this bottled wonder I use it all the time...I put it in tea, marinades, soups, on salads...just anywhere you would use fresh ginger. The beauty of it is that it is ready to use...( must be stored in the refrigerator after it's opened)...It certainly is a time saver...when I want it..there it is..no slicing, pressing...just pour out what I need..They have a website...www.thegingerpeople.com .They have so many great products but this one is a must in my house..we've used it for about 2 years now...everyone that tastes it is amazed..I use a capful in my morning Chai each day..and it adds that fresh ginger "peppery" taste...
@rogen_andrei (638)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
True! Ginger has always been of great help for some minor illness. My mom has always been a big fan of ginger. I remember she gave me slices of peeled ginger to chew when I had cough and colds..and good enough, it worked! Since then, I learned to do it whenever I have bad colds. :)
@chenvstony (365)
• China
11 Apr 07
I know geinger and In china here we also use gingers for dishes.And I know gingers is good for cold.
@haedescanes (592)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
In Japan,Sushi is always served with ginger why is this so, so as to prevent stomach upset from sushi, that's what Japanese always say. Also, it is a good anti oxidant. In the Philippines, ginger is boiled in water to relieve sore throat and singer drink warm ginger water to produce nice voice. I agree with you my friend, Ginger has many medicinal and general functions. Goodluck! Happy posting!
@piropos (312)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
In the Philippines, one of many uses of ginger is as a soothing drink to relieve sore throat. Locally it is known as "salabat" (ginger tea). This is a popular drink specially during December for those go on singing Christmas carols in the neighborhood houses. Since it is usually cold in December, sore throat is common among the carolers and drinking "salabat" is part of the preparations for each singer in the group.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
10 Apr 07
Ginger is a great item to keep in the house, as it doesn't get moldy either. I have used it for upset stomaches, and it is excellent. At least it is natural, too. It is great in cooking and for a snack as well. I love ginger. Do you use it?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157652)
• United States
11 Apr 07
My husband swears by ginger ale for upset stomaches, and ginger is receiving quite a bit of recognition for its proven ability to fight nausea without making you sleepy. I also will eat candied ginger because I believe it makes my arthritis feel better. I tried making my own candied ginger once, but the commercial product is just so much better, and not very expensive at all.
1 person likes this
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
10 Apr 07
Ginger is certainly a very valuable, but misunderstood commodity. I think it's only quite recently that it has come to the fore and we are learning about the different ways it can be used. It's amazing that it can be used in either sweet or savoury dishes! I have used it in both, and it's impact is very distinctive - I have also grated it into fruit drinks, and it's delicious - very different taste.
It has so many uses, we should get to know it better.
1 person likes this
@theponch (198)
• United States
10 Apr 07
I read the discussion on the this subject, because it gave me new insight to the uses of ginger. I have powdered ginger in the cupboard and up until this post, I used in sweets because of the intensity to flavor it gives food. It never dawned on me that ginger is so widely used as a medicine. I was never morning sick and I don't eat too much spicy food.
I have drank gingerale for an upset stomache, but it never crossed my mind that this type of "ale" probably has ginger in it. That's why I drink it when I have the flu; nothing else will stay down. Thanks for the info.
