Ginger

Ginger

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is perhaps a natural miracle, it has so many properties that you actually start to doubt about its efficacy. Nevertheless, it is all true and all great, some of its attributes are.

· It fights some sorts of cancer, like ovarian cancer cells, which are destroyed

· It stimulates production of saliva

· It helps with the mobility of the gastrointestinal tract

· It has analgesic and sedative properties

· It is antipyretic (it reduces fever)

· It has antibacterial properties

· It reduces – if taken daily – to up to 25% of muscle pain associated with exercise

and...

· It might control the quantity of free radicals

· It might reduces nausea

· It might help with arthritis

These last three have not had enough research, yet the studies that have been made so far, show considerable tendency to this. Of course, if you research, you will find many more attributes to this root. Two things that you ought to have in mind is that during pregnancy it should be avoided and that it interacts with some medications.

You should be able to find ginger in any supermarket, but, if that is not the case, try going to a Chinese food store or china town. It is not expensive – usually –, and it lasts long time. You do not need to use more than a pinch of it to make yourself a tea. You can leave it right on a shelf or put it in the freezer, but prevent putting it in the fridge, otherwise it will get flabby.

Being most of the times an acquired taste for many people, because of its odour or its piquance or its strong taste, or all of them, try to adhere it to your diet. Try it first as a spice in foods and later on try a tea.

Lastly, do not confuse ginger with wild ginger (Asarum canadense) from North America, which, although has similar aroma, has aristolochic acid, which is a carcinogenic compound.

Next, you should be reading...

· Healthy diet

· Physical exercise

· Training categories