The Healthiest Herb Around

Ginger is one of those herbs that has been used for countless centuries and is one of the most prevalent medicinal herbs in use today. It can be used fresh, or ground fresh. When used fresh, ginger is an excellent source of vitamins and other nutrients -- including but not limited to A, B₁, B₂, B₃, B₆, C, and E -- as well as many other beneficial phytochemicals.

As a medicinal herb, ginger helps to cure nausea, motion sickness, or morning sickness when consumed as a tea or juice. It can also help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as reducing a fever. Ginger also acts as a blood thinner which allows blood to travel easily to all parts of your body leaving this herb to be considered by many a healthy aphrodisiac.

And if these are not enough reasons to turn you on to ginger, it can also be used as a sort of repellent for snails and slugs. When sprinkled on the ground around plants, snails and slugs will not cross the ginger, leaving your plants unharmed.

Ginger can be used in cooking for many different purposes. We most commonly think of gingerbread cookies, or sweet loaves, but it is also used in a good number of Asian dishes. Ginger can also be used in warm fruit sauces and fruit salads. Ginger has been in use for many centuries as it can be traced back to the Middle Ages when it was given to Knights going into battle, or tournaments as a good luck charm. Often times ginger-breads or ginger cookies are sweetened with molasses or honey or some other natural sweetener to balance the spice of the ginger.

Recipes:

Gourmet Gingersnap Cookies