Ginger root is one of my favourite medicinal herbs because it’s so tasty, easy to find (just about any green grocer or grocery store has it), and versatile! I grew up knowing ginger as a flavour for a range of delicious dishes, as well as a candy. Sugar-coated candied ginger was a sweet and spicy treat!
Turns out, ginger is also great for making you sweat (it’s a diaphoretic) which is great for helping fend off a cold or flu. A go-to ingredient for warming teas during the winter & transition seasons (like right now!). Pour boiling water over grated ginger, a dash of honey, and some lemon or garlic to help kick (or prevent) a cold. You can add a dash of 🌶️cayenne pepper🌶️ to up the sweat factor!
Its most popular use in the past few years is probably as an anti-nauseant. There are loads of ginger products that promise to calm your nausea. It’s an easy, non-drowsy option for travellers, safe in pregnancy, and won’t interfere with chemotherapy treatments. Brewing it into a tea or including it in your food can also help. Even eating the raw root will do in a pinch - I actually find it most effective for myself when eaten straight up. A bit of raw honey can help it go down easy. Adding a bit of sweetness can enhance the anti-nauseant effect, hence the popularity of candied ginger for early pregnancy use in Asian cultures. Ginger root actually improves your digestion and can promote better nutrient absorption too.
Did you know ginger can help reduce period pain?! It is an excellent option for helping to reduce menstrual cramps. Ideally, dosing should start a few days before you anticipate your cramps to start, and continue until about 3 days into your period. Using a capsule or chewable tablet for this use makes it easier to ensure you’re getting the right dose. That said, if your cramps are severe and cause you to be unable to function or move, or require regular or large doses of pain killers in order for you to do the bare minimum, it’s worth getting in touch with a Naturopathic Doctor to discuss possible underlying causes and more targeted treatment options.
When it comes to ginger, I always recommend going organic both because it’s cleaner (less toxic burden for your bod) but most of all because it’s MUCH MORE POTENT! When you get good quality organic ginger, it takes much less to get a powerful medicinal effect than the commercial grade stuff. You’ll see & smell the difference too if you do a side by side comparison. If you usually use non-organic and make the switch, take note when deciding how much to use.