 photo credit: vieux bandit |
Ginger seems to have originated in China because the Chinese were using it to favour food as far back as the sixth century BC. It appeared in the Mediterranean basin some time before 1 AD when it was extensively traded by Arab merchants. Ginger arrived in Europe when it was transported from the middle east by Crusaders. The Spanish were responsible for introducing Ginger to the New World in the 1500s.
The spice has been used extensively across history in folk medicine, particularly to help with indigestion, flatulence, and colds and flu.
Modern research has been looking into some of these claims and results are surprising. Firstly it has anti-cancer properties as it contains a substance called beta ionone. A little-known benefit is that it counters motion sickness and nausea, and can block pain because Ginger contains hormone like chemicals known as pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.
One way of tackling motion sickness and nausea is by either sipping flat Ginger ale, or sucking pieces of crystallised ginger. If you’re one of those people who finds that Ginger irritates your mouth, remember Ginger is also available in capsule form.
One cause of migraines is the thinking that migraines may be caused by inflammation in blood vessels in the brain. There is at least one study out there that would suggest that taking Ginger when you first experience the symptoms of a migraine can be beneficial.
Studies have also shown that people with rheumatoid arthritis may experience less pain and swelling if they take powdered ginger daily.
Tags: anti-cancer properties, colds and flu, flatulence, indigestion, migraines, motion sickness, nausea, cancer, arthritis, powdered ginger, folk medicine
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