Zingiber officinale (better known as ginger,) is the root of a plant cultivated in the West Indies, Jamaica, and Africa but native to Asia. Ginger was introduced to Spain by Francisco de Mendosa in the early 1500's (and eventually to the new world) but it was in demand in the far east long before that. Its safe nature and multitude of benefits have made it one of the most widely used herbs in the world.

Ginger powder comes from a perennial tuber type root (like a potato) that creeps and grows underground. The stalk has narrow leaves and grows to be about two feet tall. In the fall the tuber is harvested, dried, and ground into the herb powder. Black or coated ginger means the root was immediately scalded (not peeled) after harvesting. White or uncoated ginger was washed and scraped to prevent sprouting. To whiten it even more, white ginger is at times bleached or limed but this process robs it of some of its value.

Chemicals in ginger that give it value include volatile oil (up to 3%), acrid soft resin, lignin, gum, starch, vegeto matter, asmazone, acetic acid, potassium acetate, and sulphur.

Ginger is a traditional Asian medicine used to treat nausea. For some ginger is more effective in relieving motion sickness than Dramamine. Some expectant mothers report relief from nausea after consuming small amounts of ginger ale, ginger root or, ginger tea. Cancer victims have found relief from chemotherapy related nausea when ingesting ginger in large quantities. It will fight body odor, promote perspiration, and stimulate appetite.

Ginger also helps treat joint pain by stimulating blood circulation causing redness of the skin. This makes it effective in treating illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome.

Ginger is often used for treatment of flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps. It does this by mimicking some digestive enzymes used to process protein in the body. It also relieves gastrointestinal distress.

Ginger is beneficial to the heart as well. As little as 5 grams of dried ginger a day slows the production of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the liver. Ginger also prevents platelets from sticking together, a condition that would increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Ginger is sometimes recommended for relief of cold symptoms for it is said to loosen phlegm and fight chills by spreading a warm feeling throughout the body. Many simply like to use it in cooking as a seasoning or a tea. One recipe for gingersnap cookies calls for a teaspoon of the powder.

Ginger is of course available as a powder and root. It may also be purchased in capsules, extracts, pickles, and prepared teas. If you purchase ginger raw, be sure to avoid small, wrinkled, or soft tubers. The tea is made by steeping the powder in hot water. You can sprinkle it on food for flavoring as well. Normally limit the intake to an ounce of powder every three days. Preserved Ginger results from steeping the root in hot syrup. Ginger can be stored dry in your refrigerator for short periods or frozen as a root for up to three months.

Pregnant women should be careful not to overdose on ginger because it may stimulate uterine contractions. People taking blood thinners, barbiturates, beta-blockers, insulin or diabetes medications should consult a physician before use since ginger may conflict with these medications. Ginger may also interfere with the absorption of dietary iron and fat-soluble vitamins, and cause stomach upset in higher doses. Also, because ginger helps thin the blood, it should not be taken two weeks prior to surgery.