I love to cook in the kitchen. For me, the experience is calming, almost meditative, like a great yoga class with aroma and flavor.
I tend toward cooking with Italian herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, and thyme. But, lately, have developed a love affair with ginger.
Ginger is my go-to remedy for nausea and an upset stomach. It is the ingredient of choice in lozenges used by boaters to counteract nausea from motion sickness. In your kitchen, keep it on hand for nausea related to food poisoning or digestive upset in general. During cold and flu season, ginger tea is particularly beneficial in boosting your immune system.
See below the many health benefits of this digestive support superstar:
The many health benefits of ginger include:
- A digestive superstar, ginger soothes stomach aches, relieves gas, reduces nausea
- It destroys intestinal parasites
- It helps to reduce menstrual discomfort
- Ginger eases lung and throat congestion, relieving symptoms of the cold and flu
- It boosts circulation, helping to naturally detoxify the body through the skin, bowels, and kidneys
- It is a strong anti-inflammatory, which is the backbone of disease prevention
- The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger also reduce symptoms of arthritis
- It is liver-supportive
*Ginger is contraindicated for people suffering gallstones.
Buying and storing ginger:
Fresh ginger can be found in the produce section of most supermarkets. Store it unpeeled in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Or, freeze it and it will last six months.
Quick serving ideas:
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- Ginger is a warming spice, making it perfect for cold weather soups, stews, cookies, smoothies, and in salad dressings.
- It can be used to flavor fish, chicken and vegetables.
- Fresh ginger can be peeled with the edge of a spoon (try it!) and grated, then used in Asian stir-fried dishes or in rice dishes with sesame seeds.
- For a smoothie, peel and cut off a ¼ inch piece and add to your blender. Try my Winter Green Super Smoothie here.
- For throat and lung congestion, colds, the flu, or any digestive upset, try preparing a Warming Ginger Tea.
- My new, favorite ginger elixir is a restorative Ginger Tonic.
Give it a try!
This week’s Simple Action Step:
Whether you’re still recovering from Thanksgiving or you’re busy busy busy this holiday season, rather than relying on quick fixes and sugary drinks, try one of my favorite ginger tonics to get you through your days with ease.
