Ginger: a brown tropical root native to Southeast Asia, ginger has been used as a spice and as a medicine for centuries. Known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, it was available throughout Europe by the 10th century.

Ginger has a warming stimulating effect on the body. It is highly regarded by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine in India, and is said to aid in the remedy of ailments from motion sickness to athlete's foot. Its anti-inflammatory properties can lessen the pain of rheumatoid arthritis and many women claim ginger tea helps rid them of menstrual cramps. So, what is this wonder root called ginger?

Actually, ginger root is not really a root at all, but a rhizome or underground stem. It is harvested nearly year-round. Ginger's earlier harvests--about five months after planting--are used to process products like ginger syrup and candied ginger. Later harvests are sold as flesh ginger. The longer the ginger remains underground before harvest, the hotter and spicier it gets and the better it is for use in homeopathic remedies.

You can buy ginger today in most grocery stores in the produce department. Its gnarly fist-like bulb is best if the brown skin on it is smooth, the surface hard, and the weight heavy. Peel it and use it minced or tiny bits in stir-fry recipes. Bake it in cookies or breads. Spice up your jams and jellies with it, or add it to your favourite barbecue sauce.

Ginger snap

If you have an ailment, here are some age-old ways ginger might just help you on the way to recovery.

For motion sickness, upset stomachs, colds or headaches, steep about a teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water to make a tea. Sip this tea before taking a trip to avoid motion sickness, during, or after the journey to calm a queasy stomach.

If you have athlete's foot, cool this tea and soak your feet in it. Its anti-fungal property will ease the burn and itch.

Ginger tea is also said to reduce excessive perspiration, act as an aphrodisiac, and freshen one's breath. Not bad for the stem of a plant that grows underground.

As a mood enhancer, ginger's cineole content may bring stress relief. So sipping a cold glass of ginger ale after a hard day at the office might be just what the doctor ordered. Just make sure the ginger ale you drink is made with real ginger. Some of today's sodas are artificially flavoured and will do nothing for you.

Look's like it's not so surprising after all, that ginger has been used as a homeopathic remedy by so many different civilizations.

Gingered carrot and parsnip soup

Ingredients

3 cups of shredded carrots
3 cups of shredded parsnips
1 (1-inch long) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and shredded
2 cups of chicken stock or vegetable stock
1/2 to 3/4 cup of creme fraiche
Salt and white pepper to taste
1 tsp of fresh lemon juice
Snipped fresh chives, optional, for garnish

Instructions

Bring the carrots, parsnips, ginger and stock to a boil in a large
saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer,
partially covered, for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are very
tender. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender or food
processor. Puree the soup until it is nearly smooth, and then pour
the puree back into the saucepan.

Add the creme fraiche, and bring to a simmer again over
medium heat. Stir in the salt, white pepper and lemon juice.
Taste, and adjust the seasonings. Garnish with chives, if you like.

Serve hot or refrigerate, covered, for several hours and serve
chilled.

Makes 4 servings.

Sources:

Healing Foods, by Amanda Ursell, Dorling Kindersley Home cooking, about.com Health 24.com Health reaction.com

Body 8 Soul

Tiina Saare, S.A.C (anti-ageing therapy), has a background in vitamin supplement and health food retail management. She manages the company

Ultimate Health and Beauty: www.4ubeauty.com