Herb or spice, how you rate the ginger depends on the size of your plate. Ginger is an every day spice used in a variety of dishes, but it can also double as the spice that warms the heart. So, whether herb or spice, ginger has unique nutritional benefits that are more than its dainty looks.
This ginger root is traditionally used with sweet foods in western cuisine and included in popular recipes such as ginger ale, ginger snaps, gingerbread, ginger biscuits and ginger cake. It has a strong distinct flavor that can increase the production of saliva. The part that is used as spice on the plant itself is the ginger root. Ginger has a wide variety of effects on the human body and is known to be effective for the treatment of cataracts, heart disease, migraines, stroke and athlete's foot.
It is a ready remedy for colds, chronic fatigue, flu, coughs, depression, dizziness, fever and erectile difficulties. Ginger also has many uses in the home remedies department and can be used to help diarrhoea, headache, heart and menstrual problems, diabetes, stomach upset and motion sickness. It is also said that consuming Ginger before taking a plane flight can prevent motion sickness. It can make good tea, or you can use it as a spicy addition to almost any recipe. Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding digestion and the prevention of cramps.
The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after a large meal in order to aid the process of digestion. Due to its promotion of mucus secretion, ginger protects against the development of ulcers and unwanted holes in the lining of the stomach. Ginger has proven to help lower cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots. Ginger is often used to settle an upset stomach or treat severe stomach ailments such as dyspepsia or colic. It is also frequently used today in developing countries to treat diarrhoea.