3 Reasons Why Ginger Is Good For You

81

Ginger is one of my favourite flavours. Spicy, aromatic and very Asian, its gnarly appearance belies the powerhouse inside. Growing up in India I heard a lot about the health benefits of ginger but it didn’t really sink in till recently.

With the unpredictable weather it feels like I’ve had a constant cold the past few months. So when my Mom heard the hoarseness my voice on the phone a few days ago, she told me to try her ginger, pepper + honey concoction. And to my surprise – it worked! Yes – I listened to my mother and immediately started to feel better….said no one ever!

What is Ginger?

For those of you who don’t know, it’s a rhizome and it looks lumpy, wrinkled and brown. I tried to make it look awesome in this picture and as you can see, I failed miserably. Ginger is essential in so many cuisines worldwide. Indian and Chinese dishes are incomplete without the distinctive aroma and taste of ginger. Thai food uses its cousin, Galangal that seems to be milder and more palatable in general. Even Japanese sushi neds the kick of the pickled pink variety. And don’t forget candied ginger!

3 health benefits of ginger | Foods that heal | Ginger and it's healing benefits | Maple and Marigold Health Benefits of Ginger

Traditionally ginger has been used for centuries in India and China as a natural remedy for a range of problems. Recent research has proven its effectiveness in the modern world as well. Over the years I’ve tried ginger for it’s healing benefits and it does work!

Digestive Upsets
A teaspoon of ginger juice along with equal quantities of mint and lime juice works wonders with nausea and indigestion. I tried it during my second pregnancy and while it didn’t get rid of my nausea completely it did help me manage my health. Chewing a small piece of ginger after a heavy meal helps speed up assimilation. I swear by that one – rather my mom does – and I have already learnt to listen to her!

Cold and Coughs
In India, ginger is often used to help manage colds and coughs. Small, chopped up pieces of ginger steeped in boiling water along with your favourite tea will work wonders for your congestion. A teaspoon of honey with a few slivers of ginger and a couple of peppercorns taken a few times will help with that tiresome cough.

3 health benefits of ginger | Foods that heal | Ginger and it's healing benefits | Maple and Marigold Ginger as an Anti-Inflammatory to heal Aches and Pains
Natural qualities within ginger have been proven to help with arthritis pains, headaches and muscle pains that occur as a result of inflammation (those not accompanied by fever). Ginger juice along with some honey has been known to help with all types of inflammation in the body. The honey for sure helps it go down easy.

How can you use Ginger?

Ginger is good for our bodies and has been used to heal daily ailment for thousands of years. Even though my husband hates the flavour (sorry, hon!) I grind it up and use it in a host of different ways. Here are some ideas to get you going:

  • My kids love the flavour of ginger in chicken. This marinade with maple syrup, ginger and orange is delicious – and even the pickiest eater in my family; my youngest agrees.
  • In soup. A family favourite is this flu-fighting beet and ginger soup.
  • In all types of lentils and taco meat.
  • If you don’t like the flavour, disguise it with other strong flavours like curry powder, anise, orange.
  • Pop a piece in your tea every morning and let it steep.
  • Bake much? What about gingerbread, cakes, scones with ginger, candied or otherwise.

Storing Ginger

In addition to ginger in it’s natural form, many people believe ginger supplements work as well. I am still on the fence about that and perhaps if the root hadn’t been so easily accessible, I may have gone with the capsules. But plain old regular ginger is easy to buy and store so I haven’t gone down that path. I keep it in a cool, dry place and it stays for a couple of weeks and then I move it to the refrigerator once it starts showing it’s age – it wrinkles like the rest of us!

3 health benefits of ginger | Foods that heal | Ginger and it's healing benefits | Maple and Marigold

Questions + Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
37 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Sumeet
8 years ago

I love ginger and agree with what you say!

Farah Siddiqui
8 years ago

Yes ginger has amazing hidden facts !!

Postcard Pretty
7 years ago

Ginger has been used in Asia for centuries as a wonder plant. We use it on food, on our tea, cooked, candied, syruped, anything! Great job for sharing this.

Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
7 years ago

Thanks, it’s one of my favourite herbs 🙂

LavishlyParsimonious (@LavishlyP)
7 years ago

I love using ginger with my cooking. I agree that ginger has awesome health benefits. Just to share with you whenever I got a sore throat- that it’s itchy and unmanageable I would get a slice of ginger, pound it bit then leave it in my mouth like a lozenge while I sleep. Upon waking up my sore throat feels better- no more itchy irritating feeling and I get my voice back. Going back to cooking- I would often mince ginger together with some vinegar and soy to make a tangy dip. Great post. -macy

Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
7 years ago

Thanks, Macy. I haven’t tried the mashed Ginger on its own but I will. With kids in the house sore throat seems to be frequent.

Joanna
7 years ago

I have mixed feelings about ginger. Depending on what is it in, I like it or not. If the taste is too strong, I tend not to like it. I know however that it has a lot of health benefits and it’s a good weapon against the flu.

ROBERT LEE
7 years ago

Ginger is one of those food ingredient that has proven health benefits. Of course there are certain medical conditions where ginger has to be eaten minimally, but overall, the health benefit it provides are too great to ignore.

Dunja
7 years ago

I love ginger! However i was not aware how many health benefits it has, now i love it even more haha. This was such an informative post, love it 🙂

Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
7 years ago
Reply to  Dunja

Thanks, Dunja.

ASKSonnie
7 years ago

In the Philippines, ginger and it’s cousin tumeric is one of the spices we use for soup and other sauteed dishes. We also mix it with other herbs like lemon grass for a delightful tea drink.

nimi
7 years ago

My parents are all about home remedies. I still remember whenever I used to catch cold my Mom used to make me ginger tea. I loved it. Your post made me nostalgic. 🙂

Georgia
7 years ago

I never knew ginger had so many health benefits!! In the UK ginger isn’t used too often unless we are cooking Chinese dishes. I will have to try the honey and ginger for my lingering cough! Excellent post!

Anupriya
7 years ago

Will have to try the orange and ginger combination. Sounds good. Also a great article!

Raffa
7 years ago

I know that ginger is really good to you but I can’t eat it!! I swear I have tried but…! I shall try again after reading what you’ve wrote.

Nidhi Arora
7 years ago

Amazing post. I honestly wasn’t aware of so many benefits of ginger other than curing cough & cold.

Manavi
7 years ago

Great write up: I think a lot of us forget about the benefits of ginger in the everyday life. I swear by honey and ginger for days I’ve had a cold.

Prerna Sinha (@maaofallblogs)
7 years ago

I think ginger tea is the best way to have ginger and you have stated some good reasons to include ginger in my diet.

dearlittlerme
7 years ago

Very well researched and presented post! I am a ginger fanatic, having been introduced to it via sushi in the pickled version. I cook with it often for the flavor. I had not realized just how many benefits it provided. Interesting on the galangal, I will have to do more searching. Love to try new things!

Bidy @ Dearlittlerme.blogspot.com

Ivan
7 years ago

I have always loved ginger. It’s very aromatic and it flavors food really well with its mild spice. We also brew it for an invigorating drink. While I have always known it to be a remedy for coughs and colds, it’s good to know that it has a myriad health benefits as well.

Milton Coyne
7 years ago

Hi there… by the way, thank you for that advice you gave to me in my Instagram account about applying ginger root on my sunburn.. i asked my mom to find me some on the market hehe
Ginger is indeed a miracle spice isnt? My grandma used to make ginger tea for us whenever we have coughs or sore throat.. it really provide a soothing feeling and effective remedy too!

Charu Chhitwal
7 years ago
Reply to  Milton Coyne

Milton I am glad u liked the advice and I hope it helped

RUSS
7 years ago

I used to not like ginger but for some odd reason while dining at a Chinese restaurant some time in 2014, I got to try it with my dumpling and I actually liked it. I just need to work on incorporating it in my lifestyle. As you’ve said it has a lot of health benefits. My Mom takes ginger tea to help soothe her throat before and after singing.

Madz
7 years ago

I love ginger! It’s a spice that’s just right to give a dish a kick.Great to know it has a lot of health benefits!

himanshisingh
7 years ago

Yeah! i am an indian too and really live with ginger in my everyday life. Ginger tea, garlic ginger paste, ginger julienne. But, i like the way you mentioned using it in recipes like tacos and stir fry. Have tried making ginger rice?

alison
7 years ago

This is a great post because I was just researching what ginger can do. One of my friends had an upset stomach and I was trying to remember if it was ginger that she needed to make it feel better. I love how you shared how to store it because that has always been one deterrent for me of buying a lot of ginger.

Salma
7 years ago

Lots of good reasons!

Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
7 years ago
Reply to  Salma

Thanks, Salma 🙂

Psychic Nest
7 years ago

I love drinking lots of ginger tea. Sometimes I like it in my food but it really depends on the recipe. Thank you for writing the health benefits of it! Great work!

Zaria

Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
7 years ago
Reply to  Psychic Nest

It’s an acquired taste but oh so good for you! Thanks for taking the time to read.

Sandhya Acharya
6 years ago

Once you have ginger tea – there is no going back 🙂

Sakthi Priya
6 years ago

I like to add ginger in most of my foods and Ioved reading this..! So true..!

Bruises to Bee Stings: Have a Healthy Summer {+Giveaway} | Maple and Marigold
6 years ago

[…] daily health challenges through natural remedies – turmeric to boost immunity, and honey and ginger for a sore throat. Along with these natural ways to heal, my grandfather also prescribed us “little white […]

3 Wholesome Snack Ideas for After School | Maple and Marigold
6 years ago

[…] of defense is usually healthy, immunity-boosting food. Homemade Haldi doodh (Turmeric milk) and a teaspoon of ginger-honey, both have been known to boost a person’s health. And then there’s dairy. […]

Zane
1 year ago

5 stars
I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to
be just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write about here.
Again, awesome blog!

JesseA
1 year ago

This is an informative blog. I am a big believer in natural remedies, and Ginger is one of my fav herbs for this. Thanks for explaining the detailed benefits of Ginger, as it will help me a lot. I mostly follow iahas.com for some great ayurvedic remedies, adding yours to the list.

Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma<br/><small>Photo by Tanvi Madkaiker</small>
Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
Photo by Tanvi Madkaiker

About Puneeta

Author, Educator, Speaker

Puneeta is a writer, food advocate and guide for those who seek earth-friendly, delicious solutions that work for real life.

Staying Grounded logo

Inspiration for living an abundant, delicious and doable life that brings people and planet closer together.

Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Tree--Pledge_01--Maple_and_Marigold

Use what you have, reuse what you can, reduce what you throw away, and repurpose the rest.

Staying Grounded logo

Subscribe to the newsletter

As a subscriber you will receive a fortnightly-ish newsletter about food, people and planet, and the stories and science behind it all. You'll also receive news about Maple + Marigold and Puneeta, as well as tasty recipes, health-boosting foods, sustainable swaps and tips to live well.

Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

37
0
Send us your questions and comments.x
()
x
Scroll to Top