Screen Readers Skip to Content
🖶 Print page

Ginger: Facts - Health Benefits - Growing at Home

Published: 2017-12-21 - Updated: 2020-02-13
Author: Disabled World | Contact: www.disabled-world.com
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Library: Herbalism and Herbs Publications

Synopsis: Interesting facts about ginger, now known as one of the super foods, and the myriad of health benefits of eating ginger raw or as a garnish in cooking. Ginger was widely used by the ancient Romans and it was a very expensive 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 for the treatment of of many ailments.

advertisements

Main Digest

Interesting facts about ginger including history and health benefits of eating ginger as a garnish in cooking.

Related Publications:

What is Ginger?

Ginger is the common name for Zingiber Officinale, which was originaly cultivated in China and 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 the production of saliva. The part that is used as 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, head aches, colds, fatigue, nausea and the flu when used in tea or food.

Is Ginger Good for You?

For over 2 thousand years Chinese medicine has recommended the use of ginger to help cure and prevent several health problems. It is known to promote energy circulation in the body while positively increasing the body's metabolic rate.

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

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

History of Ginger

Ginger was widely used by the ancient Romans and it was a very expensive spice, one pound of ginger was equivalent to the price of a whole sheep.

Ginger almost became lost in history after the fall of the Roman empire but became popular again when Europe re-discovered it.

Ginger has influenced the history of man since ancient China, wars were waged and entire dynasties rose and fell with the objective of seizing it.

The trade of such spices were the root of the world's economy for centuries.

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 plant sprouting from the rhizome (ginger root).
Ginger plant sprouting from the rhizome (ginger root).

Ginger is a tropical plant which you can easily grow yourself and which 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 it was planted.

Ginger is very easy to grow and can be grown indoors or outside in pots filled with rich, well-draining potting 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.

Plant in early spring if possible. If you live in a warmer climate, you can plant at any time. Slice off the fingers, making sure each rhizome piece is 1 to 2 inches long with at least one bud. Simply buy some 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. Ideal temperature when planting is about 77° F. Many of the 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 started to grow, feed every two to three weeks with a general pot-plant feed.

A mature ginger plant will grow between 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 around three to four months.

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

Post to Twitter Add to Facebook
advertisements

Disabled World is an independent disability community established in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative news, reviews, sports, stories and how-tos. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more on our about us page.

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 March 25, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/alternative/herbal/ginger.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/alternative/herbal/ginger.php">Ginger: Facts - Health Benefits - Growing at Home</a>