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Ginger: Facts, Health Benefits, Growing at Home

Ginger Is a Herb but Is Often Known as a Spice

NOTE: This article is over 3 years old and may not reflect current information, despite the page being updated. It may still be useful for research but should be verified for accuracy and relevance.

Published: 2017-12-21 - Updated: 2023-05-01
Author: Disabled World | Contact: Disabled World (Disabled-World.com)
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Library of Related Papers: Herbalism and Herbs Publications

Synopsis: Interesting facts about ginger, now known as one of the superfoods, and the myriad of health benefits of eating ginger raw or as a garnish in cooking. The ancient Romans widely used ginger, and it was a costly spice, one pound of ginger was equivalent to the price of a whole sheep. Ginger has a wide variety of effects on the human body and is known to be effective in treating many ailments.

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Main Digest

What is Ginger?

Ginger is the common name for Zingiber Officinale, which was originally cultivated in China and is now equally spread around the world. Ginger is a herb but is often known as a spice, with a strong, distinct flavor that can increase saliva production. The part that is used as a spice on the plant itself is the rhizomes or ginger root. This ginger root is traditionally used with sweet foods in Western cuisine, being included in popular recipes such as ginger ale, ginger snaps, gingerbread, ginger biscuits, and ginger cake. It is also used in many countries as a medicinal ingredient which many believe in. Some say it can help cure diabetes, headaches, colds, fatigue, nausea, and the flu when used in tea or food.

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Is Ginger Good for You?

For over 2 thousand years, Chinese medicine has recommended using ginger to help cure and prevent several health problems. It promotes energy circulation while positively increasing the body's metabolic rate.

List of medicinal properties ginger has been known to have throughout history.

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Ginger root (rhizome).
Ginger root (rhizome).
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Ginger Facts

Ginger for Health

Ginger has a wide variety of effects on the human body and is known to be effective for the treatment of cataracts, amenorrhea, heart disease, migraines, stroke, angina, athlete's foot, colds, bursitis, chronic fatigue, tendinitis, flu, coughs, depression, dizziness, fever, erectile difficulties, infertility, kidney stones, Raynaud's disease, sciatica, and viral infections.

Home Remedies using Ginger

Growing Ginger at Home

Ginger is a tropical plant that you can easily grow and does not require much expert knowledge. You start with a piece of fresh root ginger (actually the rhizome of the plant), which you can buy at any supermarket.

Ginger is cultivated all year round and can be cultivated approximately 3 - 5 months after planting.

Ginger is easy to grow and can be grown indoors or outside in pots filled with rich, well-draining soil. Allow enough room in the pots, about 10 to 12 inches deep, for the actual ginger roots to form - ginger roots grow horizontally across.

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Ginger plant sprouting from the rhizome (ginger root).
Ginger plant sprouting from the rhizome (ginger root).
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Plant in early spring if possible. If you live in a warmer climate, you can plant anytime. Slice off the fingers, ensuring each rhizome piece is 1 to 2 inches long with at least one bud. Buy fresh ginger roots at a local grocery store or Asian market. Choose a smooth, shiny-looking root that has some buds beginning to form.

For short growing seasons, ginger should be started indoors and transferred outside when temperatures reach at least 70° F. Soil temperatures should be greater than 68° F before planting or transplanting ginger plants. The ideal temperature when planting is about 77° F. Many tropical gingers prefer full sun but will tolerate light or dappled shade.

Soak the roots you bought in some warm water overnight.

The following day, plant them in the pot(s) just beneath the soil level. Water well.

Once the ginger has grown, feed every two to three weeks with a general pot-plant feed.

A mature ginger plant will grow two to four feet tall. Stems and leaves may reach up to a foot long and resemble those of a lily.

Harvest ginger roots after the rhizome has grown for three to four months.

Harvested ginger roots can either be stored in a dry cupboard or refrigerated for later use.

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Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Financial support is derived from advertisements or referral programs, where indicated. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.


Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2017, December 21). Ginger: Facts, Health Benefits, Growing at Home. Disabled World. Retrieved May 30, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/alternative/herbal/ginger.php

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