Traditional Uses of Ginger

What Is Ginger?

The flowering plant known as ginger, or Zingiber officinale, originated in Southeast Asia. Its root is a popular spice and folk remedy. The plant is in the same family as cardamom and turmeric, another popular root in alternative medicine. 

The flavor of ginger root has a strong, sweet-spicy profile often described as biting. It’s often added to dishes, dried or candied, or infused in tea.

Ginger Throughout History

Ginger originated in Southeast Asia. In ancient times, it spread to other Asia-Pacific nations, including India, Japan and China, before being brought to West Asia, North Africa, and Europe.

Uses of ginger date back to ancient China and India. Confucius mentioned it in his Analects in the first century BC. Some of the first records of ginger in the West were in Pedanius Dioscorides’s medical compendium De materia medica (On Medical Material) in the first century CE and in the recipe book De re coquinaria (On the Matter of Cooking) circulated in the fourth or fifth century. Arab traders were believed to be the first to bring ginger from Asia to the Mediterranean.

Exploring the Uses of Ginger

The common uses of ginger in its long history have been both culinary or therapeutic in nature. It’s most often used in three different forms: fresh, preserved (usually in syrup or brine), or dried (and powdered).

Culinary Uses of Ginger

Dishes that use ginger abound in multiple cultures. Most commonly used in savory Asian dishes, it’s a staple in Chinese stir-fries, Indian and Thai curries, Chinese and Japanese meat stews and many soups, sauces and marinades. Japanese chefs serve pickled or candied ginger as a popular palate cleanser. 

On the other hand, ginger is often used to make sweet food and beverages in the West. It’s the main ingredient and flavoring in gingerbread, ginger snaps, ginger ale or beer and various cakes and biscuits. 

Ginger teas are popular around the globe for their warming effects and to cleanse the palate after a heavy meal. Apart from pure ginger tea, blends with other herbs and aromatics are increasingly sought after, including lemon, turmeric, cinnamon and more.

Uses of Ginger as an Herbal Remedy

For thousands of years, ginger has been used as a folk remedy for various ailments. Through the East and West, it was believed to help with conditions like digestive issues, colds and flu, sore throats, heart disease, arthritis and gum disease. It’s also thought to stimulate digestion, which may explain its use as a palate cleanser or side dish. 

There is some conflict in ancient and medieval medical treatises on the therapeutic uses of ginger, as some believe ginger to be a laxative, while others say it causes constipation. Yet others believed ginger to be an aphrodisiac, a memory enhancer and even a counter to insect venom. 

Chewing ginger or drinking ginger teas was also thought to help with nausea, especially in pregnant women.

Ginger and Wellness in Modern Times

With its long history as a popular remedy for various ills, it’s no wonder ginger is among the most popular wellness options among teas and botanicals. It’s often listed as a superfood. 

Although not considered a modern medical solution, ginger remains popular in alternative or holistic medicine and naturopathy. It’s believed to promote healing and recovery in the body. 

Some commonly reported benefits associated with ginger include:

• Antioxidants — Ginger root contains a high level of total antioxidants. Regularly consuming ginger is thought to bring benefits like anti-aging properties, according to a review of various studies.
• Anti-inflammation — Gingerol, a dried ginger extract, is believed to help ease inflammation, swelling and pain. This is likely why it was a popular herbal remedy for osteoarthritis and rheumatism.
• Anti-nausea — One of the most common historical uses of ginger was to alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Multiple studies support ginger’s effectiveness as an antiemetic due to the way it helps the body break up and expel intestinal gas. Through ancient times and until today, ginger root and tea have been thought to help with seasickness, morning sickness and nausea related to medical procedures. 
• Immune boost — Ginger tea is believed to relieve symptoms of a respiratory ailment like a sore throat, cold, or flu. Because ginger is said to promote perspiration, it’s thought to be helpful for fever symptoms. Some early studies have hinted at ginger having antiviral effects as well.

Most of ginger’s wellness benefits, while numerous, are holistic and attributed more to alternative medicine. However, this doesn’t mean you should give up your daily ginger tea. At the very least, a regular ginger tea-drinking ritual will provide a moment for mindfulness and warm the body and soul.