Certain smells create feelings of well-being and invoke
happy memories. Ginger spice does that for me. Ginger is a happy, warming herb
that stirs up memories of family holidays, gingerbread cookies, and pumpkin
pies. Ginger is an ancient spice used worldwide in cooking and is also
well-known for various health benefits.
Ginger is known to: boost bone health, eliminates
arthritis symptoms, strengthen the immune system, prevent various types of
cancer, improve respiratory conditions, help with flu symptoms, increase
appetite, aid digestion, nausea, reduce excess gas, enhance sexual activity,
and relieve menstrual pain.
Although ginger, Zingiber Officinale, is inaccurately referred to as “ginger root”, it is
actually the stem, rhizome that is used. In Western cultures, ginger is
typically used in sweets and alcoholic beverages such as ginger beer and ginger
wine. While, in Asian cultures, ginger powder is used directly in traditional
cuisine, or in coffee and tea.
Ginger is known as an essential oil, a spice, and is one
of the oldest herbal. Ginger has been used in China for over 2,000 years for
treating inflammation and diarrhea.
Cultivation may have begun in southern Asia then spread to East Africa
and the Caribbean. Ginger is a perennial plant that grows bright red flowers
that are often used in the South Pacific for seasonal festivals, decorating
stalls, houses, and clothing.
The Armenian
monk Gregory of Nicopolis brought gingerbread to Europe, in 992. German
immigrants brought gingerbread to Sweden
during the 13th century. Early reference logs from Vadstena Abbey record that
Swedish nuns
were baking gingerbread to ease indigestion in 1444.
In Medieval England gingerbread was thought to have
medicinal properties. Gingerbread became widely available in the 18th century.
Queen Elizabeth I of England created the idea of the gingerbread man in the 16th
century. The first gingerbread man
was revealed at a Royal ball where several were made to resemble respected
guests.
Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe
Original recipe
makes 2 dozen cookies
3 cups
flour
2
teaspoons McCormick® Ginger, Ground
1
teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground
1
teaspoon baking soda
1/4
teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground
1/4
teaspoon salt
3/4 cup
butter, softened
3/4 cup
firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup
molasses
1 egg
1
teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
Directions
Mix flour,
ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat
butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until
light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in
flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat
disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough to
1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men
shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on increased baking
sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes
or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking
sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled
cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.
Benefits of Ginger
Ginger contains enzymes that destroys parasites and their
eggs, and is associated with anti-inflammatory activity. There are over 400
active ingredients in ginger, which includes ascorbic acid, caffeic acid,
capsaicin, beta-sitosterol, beta-carotene, curcumin, lecithin, limonene,
selenium and tryptophan. The synergy of these ingredients contributes to the
therapeutic power and versatility of ginger.
Bone Health: A
University of Miami study, conducted with several hundred patients from different
backgrounds and ages, demonstrated improvement in osteoarthritis.
Ovarian
Cancer Treatment:
A University of Michigan
Comprehensive Cancer Center found ginger to be a powerful weapon in the
treatment of ovarian cancer. Ginger powder induced cell death in all of the
ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.
Colon Cancer Prevention:
A University of Minnesota study found ginger may slow the growth of
colorectal cancer cells.
Diabetic Nephropathy (kidney
damage) Prevention:
A study of
diabetic rats demonstrated that rats given ginger demonstrated a reduced
incidence of diabetic kidney damage.
Morning Sickness:
A
review of several studies has concluded that ginger is just as effective as
vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.
Motion Sickness Remedy: Studies demonstrated ginger is an effective remedy for nausea associated
with motion sickness.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation:
The anti-inflammatory and powerful natural
painkiller properties of ginger are demonstrated in several studies.
Heartburn Relief:
Ginger
tea has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy.
Migraine Relief:
Migraine
research demonstrates that the properties of ginger have the ability to stop
prostaglandins which cause pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
Cold and Flu Prevention and Treatment: Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for
colds, flu, and food poisoning.
Menstrual Cramp Relief:
Ginger tea with brown sugar has long been used in Chinese medicine as
a treatment for menstrual cramps.
Adding turmeric to ginger tea is a healthy, easy tea you
can make at home. You will benefit from the healing benefits of both herbs. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and
anti-viral and is known as a nausea treatment. Turmeric has antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties. This combination tea is very
effective for food poisoning or a stomach virus.
Ginger and
Turmeric Tea Recipe
Ingredients
4 cups water
1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 tablespoon ground turmeric
lemon (optional)
honey (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and add turmeric and
ginger. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Strain into a mug using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Add honey and/or lemon to taste.
Cooking with Ginger
Many of us have dried ginger in our pantry but to take
full advantage of the healing properties of ginger try cooking with fresh
ginger root. First remove the skin from the rhizome using a paring knife or
scrape off the skin to preserve more of the flesh. Try blending fresh ginger
root into fruit smoothies or vegetable combinations. Add freshly minced ginger
as a finishing touch to sautéed and stir-fried dishes, or for a subtle flavor,
add ginger at the beginning of cooking.
An easy recipe for fresh, clean ginger tea is to simmering
a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger rhizome in 2 cups of water for 10 to 20 minutes.
Strain and stir in fresh lemon juice and sweetener if desired.
www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/ginger-root
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingerbread
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