March 2020 Herb of the Month

💥GINGER💥 Ginger Latin name= Zingiber Officinale

Ayurveda reveres Ginger so highly it is referred to as the “ Universal medicine.” Ginger has been used in Southeast Asia for well over five thousand years long before humans were providing written accounts of its use. It no longer grows in the wild, but is highly cultivated in tropical regions all over the world, as a result we aren’t sure where exactly it originated. Ginger played an important role in the spice trade between southeast Asia and Europe. It traveled from India to the Roman Empire more than 2000 years ago. It is recorded that in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries a pound of Ginger had the same value as an entire sheep. The most commonly used part of Ginger is the rhizome or root. Today, ginger is commonly available as a fresh root, dried and powdered, and candied.

Ginger can be used in an astonishing variety of ways because of its heating and drying qualities it is best used in people with signs of coldness and dampness. Ginger especially affects the respiratory system, digestive system, and circulatory system. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory shown to decrease pain in those with chronic inflammation such as arthritis.

Growing Ginger Ginger thrives in hot humid environments in rich moist soil the plant grows dormant in cooler dryer winter temperatures you can plant pieces of the rhizome with a growing knob or too attached just under the soil don’t plant deeply or the rhizomes will rot water frequently keep the soil moist give it plenty of sunshine and your Ginger will Thrive generally rhizomes are ready to harvest in 8 to 10 months. Note* there is a wild ginger native to North America known as Asarum canadense though medicinal as well this is much stronger and can be toxic if used in large amounts it is not a replacement for True Ginger Zingiber officinale don’t confuse the two they are entirely different Genera.

As a Stimulant and Synergist Ginger is stimulating when you hear the words herbal stimulant you might immediately think of coffee and its jolt of caffeine. But “stimulant” in this sense means that it moves energy in the body through increasing circulation, promoting digestion, or increasing the flow of fluids in the body; and ginger does all of these. Ginger is commonly added in small amounts to larger formulas. In fact it is estimated that more than half of Chinese herbal formulas include ginger in them. This widespread use of Ginger is because it’s stimulating properties make it a synergist, something that increases the potency of other herbs and pharmaceuticals. In his book Herbal Antibiotics, Stephen Harrod Buhner reports the way Ginger does this: “it dilates blood vessels and increases circulation, helping the blood, and constituents in the blood from other herbs, to achieve faster and more effective distribution in the body”

For Reducing Inflammatory Pain One way that Ginger relieves pain is through its anti-inflammatory actions. Numerous Studies have shown Ginger to be effective and safe at relieving pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis go through topical application and internal use. Ginger can help to relieve various types of pain such as the cramping experienced with diarrhea or menstruation. However using herbs for pain is not like using over-the-counter medication. Instead herbs we use for pain have very specific mechanisms of action and we have to be careful how we choose which herb to use for specific type of pain. For example, if there is pain due to muscle tension we use an antispasmodic herb like fennel or chamomile. Ginger works especially well for people with signs UV un of coldness these people may have a pale face, or tongue and typically feel colder than others they may have slowed digestion or problems with bloating and tend toward lethargy or slowness. If someone is in pain and has several of these symptoms consider Ginger.

For Moving Stagnant Blood Ginger can be applied topically to relieve blood stagnation. In traditional Chinese medicine pain that is fixed or stabbing is often seen as a symptom of stagnant blood (a bruise or contusion is an example of stagnant blood that we can easily see). Ginger can also be used to treat what herbal is see a stagnant blood in the pelvis. Symptoms of which include painful menstruation, delayed menstruation, clots, and fibroids. In this sense Ginger works exceptionally well for menstrual pain with signs of stagnant and coldness. One study found that daily consumption of Ginger can relieve muscle pain after workouts. When paired with massage Ginger oil has been shown effective in treating chronic low back pain.

For Migraines One study showed that Ginger worked just as well for migraines as a common migraine medication and those taking Ginger had fewer side effects than those taking the pharmaceutical drug. As Rosalee de la Foret says in Alchemy of Herbs “ Ginger is the absolute best thing for treating a migraine at the time that it develops. One of the few things that will work at the time, stir 2 tablespoons of ginger powder into water and drink it at the onset of visual disturbances the aura before the pain starts. Usually that will knock it cold, the migraine may try to restart in about four hours in which case you have to do this again”

For Colds and the Flu If you could choose only one herb to use during a cold or the flu, ginger might be the one, especially when there are signs of coldness and dampness such as shivering or a thickly coated tongue. Many different complaints during an upper respiratory system infection can also be treated with ginger. Ginger is diffusive and stimulating and is perfect for getting stuck mucus flowing again. You can create a ginger poultice to place over the chest and relieve congestion. A strong cup of ginger tea will relieve congested cough and stuffy sinuses . It can also warm you up from the inside, which is helpful for the onset of a cold or flu, when you feel chilled or shivery. Relieve a sore throat with ginger tea or spoonful of Ginger infused honey. Gingers antimicrobial properties help prevent further infection.

For Improving Digestion Ginger is one of our best herbs for digestion it is warming carminative aromatic and dispersing and can help with stagnant and cold digestion such as bloating gas a heavy feeling after meals and constipation several studies have specifically looked at Ginger’s effects on gastric emptying and found that people taking Ginger empty their stomachs faster than those taking a placebo this has been shown to work for healthy people as well as those with functional dyspepsia (mild, frequent stomach upset).

For Nausea Ginger is famously used for all kinds of nausea it is used in small amounts for nausea during pregnancy and also nausea caused by motion sickness. We always kept candied ginger in the boat for passengers who may get seasick. Ginger can also prevent nausea caused by chemotherapy and Antiretroviral drugs.

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Medicinal Uses Ginger contains a proteolytic enzyme that has been shown to reduce inflammation and help repair damaged joints and cartilage tissue; no wonder it’s been a long time favorite for treating arthritis and joint pain. It improves circulation in the pelvis and is often a main ingredient in reproductive tonics for men and women and in formulas for menstrual cramps and PMS. Numerous studies confirm that Ginger lowers blood level triglycerides linked to diabetes and heart disease. And several clinical studies found Ginger more effective than over the counter medications for nausea, motion sickness, and sea sickness. Clinical studies also show that Ginger rivals anti-nausea drugs for chemotherapy without their side effects. It’s antiseptic properties make ginger highly effective for treating gastrointestinal infections. It is a popular warming, decongesting herb used for cold type imbalances such as poor circulation, colds and flus, respiratory congestion, and sore throat. All this and it’s delicious too!

Key Constituents: essential oils, oleoresin, Gingerol (an acrid constituent that gives Ginger its hot tasting, stimulating action) Considered a culinary herb, ginger has no known negative effects.

Magical Attributes Ginger is energetic and fiery and adds power to any magical activity. It is used in spells to “speed things up” or to cause plans to come to fruition quickly. It can also be used in spells to add passion to an existing relationship.

Gender: masculine Planet: Mars Element: Fire Powers: Love, Money, Success, Power

Magical Uses: Eating ginger before performing spells will lend them power since you have been “heated up” by the ginger, this is especially true of love spells. Whole ginger roots are planted and grown to attract money, or the powdered root is sprinkled into Pockets or onto money for this purpose. Ginger is also used in success spells or to ensure the success of a magical operation.

How to use Ginger The most common usage of Ginger is in cooking with small amounts being used in both Savory and sweet dishes it is very aromatic with a strong spicy taste fresh ginger candy ginger and dried Ginger are all readily found in grocery stores if using dried ginger be sure to get it from a good source dried Ginger should be zesty and hot if it isn’t it may be too old. When picking out Ginger at the store look for plump pieces with smooth skin if the ginger looks dried out or has a wrinkly skin you might look for a fresh choice. However even when not an ideal condition it is still likely to work. Fresh roots do not need to be peeled but if you prefer to do so use a spoon to gently scrape away the thin outer coat. When treating conditions such as infection or upper respiratory virus fresh ginger is preferred to dried.

PRECAUTIONS Ginger is very warming and somewhat drying and is therefore not a good match with someone already showing signs of heat and or dryness. It should not be used in large amounts during pregnancy. Patients taking blood-thinning medication should consult with their doctor before taking large amounts of Ginger regularly.

Sources: Rosalee de la Foret’s Alchemy of Herbs chapter 10, Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs pg 79, Learningherbs.com herb of the month study,Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Witchipedia.com

Favorite Ginger Recipe

Triple Ginger Cookies

If you are only going to have one medicinal herb and your kitchen Let It Be Ginger. Here are just some of the many ways Ginger is used medicinally as a stimulant, for reducing inflammatory pain, removing stagnant blood, for migraines, for colds and the flu, for improving digestion, for nausea, for supporting heart health, and for infections.

Try these delicious ginger treats, my family devours these around the holidays and I smile twice as wide knowing there is a medicinal dose of ginger in every serving. Makes about 5 dozen (original recipe from loveandoliveoil.com though I added more ginger and cinnamon plus I changed the molasses to sugar ratio)

• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

• 3 tablespoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 1/2 cup molasses

• 3 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger (from 2-3 inch piece)

• 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk

• 1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

• granulated sugar or raw sugar, for rolling

Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. Melt butter in a skillet set over medium heat. Once melted, lower heat and continue to cook, swirling frequently, until foaming subsides and butter is just beginning to turn golden brown, about 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer melted butter to large bowl and whisk in ground ginger and cinnamon. Let cool for about 2 minutes, then whisk in brown sugar, molasses, and fresh ginger. Add egg and yolk and whisk to combine. Add flour mixture and stir until just incorporated. Mix in crystallized ginger. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 to 2 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F; position oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (or use silicone baking mats). Place granulated sugar in shallow dish or bowl. Spoon dough by heaping teaspoonful; shape into 1-inch balls, flatten into cookie shape then roll in sugar to coat. Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 to 2 inches of space between them.

4. Bake for 15 minutes. For a soft gingerbread cookie Skip step 5.

5. *For a Ginger Snap then rotate baking sheets (top to bottom and front to bake) and bake for an additional 9 to 12 minutes, or until cookies on lower tray just begin to darken around edges.

6. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely before serving. Repeat with remaining dough. Cookies will keep, stored at room temperature in an airtight container, for up to 2 weeks. Dough will keep in fridge up to 2 weeks and Frozen it has lasted at least one month though we have zero self control and gobble them up so I have no idea the maximum frozen storage limit.