Ginger is a flowering plant, in the family Zingiberaceae whose rhizome, gingerroot or simplyginger is widely used as a spice or a folk medicine. Ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant with a firm, striated texture. The flesh of the ginger rhizome can be yellow, white or red in color, depending upon the variety. It is covered with a brownish skin that may either be thick or thin, depending upon whether the plant was harvested when it was mature or young. Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to Asian stir fries and many fruit and vegetable dishes. Fresh ginger root is available year round in the produce section of your local market. It is a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese.

Ginger is among the healthiest and most delicious spices on the planet. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.

NUTRITIVE VALUE OF GINGER ROOT (RAW)Nutritive value per 100 Gms

1. Energy-80 (Kcal)
2. Fat -0.75 (g)
3. Protein- 1.82 (g)
4. Cholesterol- 0 (mg)
5. Carbohydrates-17.77(g)
6. Sugar -1.7 (g)
7. Dietary fibre- 2(g)
8. Vitamin B6- 0.16 (mg)
9. Vitamin C 5 (mg)
10. Magnesium 43 (mg)
11. Potassium 415 (mg).

BENEFITS OF GINGER

Ginger has a very long history of various forms of traditional or alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few. Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

NAUSEA AND VOMITTING: Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea. But it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy- related nausea such as morning sickness. It has long history of use as a sea sickness remedy, and there is some evidence that it may be as effective as prescription medication. Ginger may also relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery, and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

GASTROINTESTINAL RELIEF: Ginger is very effective in eliminating gastrointestinal distress is offered by recent double-blind studies, which have demonstrated that ginger is very effective in preventing the symptoms of motion sickness especially seasickness.

IMMUNE BOOSTING ACTION: Ginger can not only be warming in cold day, but can help promote healthy sweating, which is often helpful in colds and flus. Ginger is so concentrated with active substance, you dont have to use very much to receive its beneficial effect. For Arthritis, some people have found relief as little as consuming 1/4 inch slice of fresh ginger cooked in food. It provides protection against invading micro-organisms, including bacteria such as Coli and Staphylococcus aureus(a common cause of skin infections) and fungi, including Candida albicans

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS: Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds calledgingerols. These substances are believed to explain people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reduction in their pain levels and improvement in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly.

MENSTRUAL PAIN: Some research shows that ginger can reduce symptoms of menstrual pain in some women when taking during menstruation. It seems to work about as well as the medication ibuprofen or mefenamic acid.

CANCER AND DIABETIC FIGHTER: Gingers anti-inflammatory properties no doubt make it beneficial for many chronic inflammatory diseases including cancer. Some research shows it has anti-tumor activity that may help defeat difficult-to-treat types of cancer, including lung, colon, ovarian, breast, skin and pancreatic.

WEIGHT LOSS: Ginger is a metabolism boosting substances that may temporarily increase thermogenesis in your body, where your body burns stored up fat to create heat, with beneficial impacts on overall metabolism and fat storage.

BEST WAY TO CONSUME: This depends on what you are using ginger for. If you have a serious issue, work with an experienced natural health practitioner who can guide you on proper dosages and forms. For the most potent medicinal properties, ginger extract may be necessary, although there is also therapeutic benefit from fresh or even dried ginger. Many people enjoy ginger tea on a regular basis, and this one is the simplest ways to consume it. Simply chop off a couple of inches of ginger root and let it steep in hot water for fresh ginger tea. You can also peel the root using a paring knife and then slice it thinly (or grate it or mince it) to add tea or cooked dishes. You can also add ginger to stir fries or even in your homemade chicken soup. You can even try mixing a teaspoon of organic powdered ginger into a gallon of iced tea for added punch and heath potential. Fresh ginger is best. Its thin skin can be scraped with the back of a spoon and then cut, grated or pounded to mix into soups, sauces and stews.

Here are a few best ways to consume ginger:

IN HOT TEA: We drink literally gallons of ginger tea in the fall and winter. Just cut up a hunk of ginger (no need to peel) and pour a lot of boiling water over it.

SOUP: Fresh ginger, grated or pureed, brings wonderful zest to hot, creamy soups.

WITH FISH: Adding spicy ginger with tender, flaky fish gives aromatic flavor and tastes.

IN STIR FRIES:Almost every stir fry could use a little grated or minced ginger to spice things up.

IN SWEET THINGS: Adding fresh ginger in lots of sweet things gives a great taste and flavor.

GINGER TEARECIPE

Ingredients:

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• Ginger - The World's Healthiest Food

Ginger is a flowering plant, in the family Zingiberaceae whose rhizome, gingerroot or simplyginger is widely used as a spice or a folk medicine. Ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant with a firm, striated texture. The flesh of the ginger rhizome can be yellow, white or red in color, depending upon the variety. It is covered with a brownish skin that may either be thick or thin, depending upon whether the plant was harvested when it was mature or young. Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to Asian stir fries and many fruit and vegetable dishes. Fresh ginger root is available year round in the produce section of your local market. It is a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese.

Ginger is among the healthiest and most delicious spices on the planet. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.

NUTRITIVE VALUE OF GINGER ROOT (RAW)Nutritive value per 100 Gms

1. Energy-80 (Kcal)
2. Fat -0.75 (g)
3. Protein- 1.82 (g)
4. Cholesterol- 0 (mg)
5. Carbohydrates-17.77(g)
6. Sugar -1.7 (g)
7. Dietary fibre- 2(g)
8. Vitamin B6- 0.16 (mg)
9. Vitamin C 5 (mg)
10. Magnesium 43 (mg)
11. Potassium 415 (mg)

BENEFITS OF GINGER

Ginger has a very long history of various forms of traditional or alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few. Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

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Juicing raw vegetables and fruits can be a valuable addition to an already healthy diet. As with all foods, however, natural juices aren’t miracle cures for any medical condition, and the American Cancer Society reports there’s no scientific evidence that natural juices are any healthier for you than whole foods. In some cases, you may get more health benefits from eating the whole foods instead of liquefying and drinking them.

Juices Give Your Digestive System a Rest

The benefits derived from drinking natural juices depend, in part, on the type of equipment used to make the juice. Centrifugal-force juicers -- the traditional kind sold in many stores -- remove virtually all of the fiber from the raw foods. Fiber is an important nutrient for digestive health that many Americans already consume too little of. However, this type of juicing may have health benefits for people with impaired digestion. Drinking juices made with traditional juicers gives your GI system a timeout while still providing all the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients of fresh produce, says Dr. Sears Wellness Institute.

Blended Juices Deliver Fiber

Fresh juice made using a high-speed blender retains most of the fiber of its raw-food ingredients. Because of the fiber content, blended juices provide a slow release of nutrients into your bloodstream and can help you feel full longer. This may assist with your weight-loss efforts, reducing the number of calories you eat overall. It can also help you manage your blood sugar levels, preventing spikes and crashes that can affect your mood and energy.

Juice Ups Produce Intake

Increasing your vegetable and fruit consumption can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. However, only 27 percent of Americans meet the daily recommendation of three or more servings of vegetables, and only a third eat the recommended two servings of fruit per day, according to a 2009 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Juicing helps you consume more vegetables and fruits in a convenient, drinkable form. This boosts your intake of micronutrients and phytonutrients, helping to strengthen your immune system and ward off chronic illness.

Considerations About Natural Juices

If you decide to add natural juices to your regimen, drink the fresh juices directly after they are made for the best health benefits. Natural juices are subject to both bacterial growth and rapid nutrient loss, reports CNCA Health. In addition, fresh juices made primarily from fruit are high in sugar and calories and may defeat your health goals. CNCA Health also warns that juicing too much of certain vegetables, like oxalate-rich leafy greens, can impair kidney health. Eat fresh raw and cooked produce in addition to juicing -- your body absorbs some nutrients, like the beta carotene in carrots, better when the veggies are cooked and not raw.

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