Use and benefits of “ginger” for health and cooking.

Ginger (Scientific name: Zingiber officinale of the botanical family of Zingiberáceas), also known as kion or quion, is a plant of Asian origin with a great medicinal tradition in this continent and today widely used in gastronomy and not only Asian, if not that it begins to make its way in many other places in the world.
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The consumed part of the ginger is the rhizome that represents the extension of the stem but that remains underground. It is often full of nutrients and trace elements. This unique tuber has a peculiar bitter and spicy flavor, making it a good seasoning and it combines well with sauces and soups, although it can be used in all kinds of recipes without losing any of its properties. Since ancient times it has been used in the food of sailors to prevent dizziness and scurvy, and in Indian medicine it was used to cure muscular and rheumatic diseases.

Ginger has powerful antioxidants, even with an effect superior to those present in garlic. It is a good source of minerals such as selenium, potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc, and among its vitamins is vitamin E and those of complex B, especially folic acid. That is why it has become an ingredient for those who seek to neutralize the effect of oxygen free radicals.

Uses and benefits of ginger:

1.- For the digestive system: It stimulates the pancreas increasing the production of enzymes that intervene in digestion and prevent the malabsorption of food. Its antibacterial power prevents alterations in the intestinal flora and helps eliminate the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori that secretes ammonia.

Ginger is an excellent natural remedy for gastritis and to neutralize excess gastric acid; and it serves to treat ulcers: also avoiding their appearance.

1. Helps fight nausea and vomiting, and reduce diarrhea and constipation, because it eliminates harmful bacteria or microorganisms such as E. coli that causes diarrhea in children, as well as gastroenteritis. In turn increases intestinal peristalsis, so it favors the expulsion of excrement, in the case of constipation.

3 .- Prevents heart disease: since its intake would prevent platelet aggregation and help prevent vascular obstructions and prevent heart attacks, thrombosis, angina and chest pains. In addition to promoting circulation in the extremities: eliminating pain in the legs mainly or symptoms in the fingers of the hand for Raynaurd's disease.

1. • It is useful against the symptoms and treatment of the flu: it serves to lower the fever, the nasal congestion, the joint pains due to the general flu state. In the case of colds, it eliminates the pressure in the chest due to the accumulation of mucus. The same for those who suffer from sinusitis or congested nose.

5.- It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic: it is useful in cases of arthritis, atrophy or joint pain, as well as swelling due to bumps. Mitigates pain and deflates. It also works for those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.

6.- Treats chronic fatigue: a very frequent problem is the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, where the person is always tired or without strength even if he sleeps or rests a lot.

7.- It is a powerful antioxidant: that is why it is a perfect ally against ovarian cancer, since it eliminates cancer cells in the ovaries or reduces the resistance of these cells to chemotherapy treatments.

Its large number of bioactive components have been associated with inhibition of the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, specifically, its protective effect against the development of prostate tumors has been proven.
It also helps in the regeneration of tissues in the case of freezing of the limbs or in wounds.

8.- Serves for toothache: a little liquid of ginger tea is applied directly on the jaw or a very thin slice is chewed.

9.- Eliminates bad breath: to treat halitosis, ginger has been used for a long time. This oriental technique refreshes the mouth after the meal and as it increases the production of saliva it can serve for those who always have a dry mouth.

10.- It is a powerful aphrodisiac: The compounds in ginger have the ability to provide heat to the body and promote vasodilation. That is, the vessels dilate and transport more blood to the missing organs, especially the sexual organs, and is able to stimulate sexual desire and increase libido levels, both in men and women. It can be used by those who have erection problems.

11.- Acts against sore throat: Consuming an herbal tea or decoction that combines fresh or dried ginger, lemon and honey is effective in relieving throat irritation.

12.- Effect against Diabetes: Regular consumption in powder improves insulin resistance and reduces blood sugar levels. This would be beneficial for people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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How can Ginger be consumed?

Depending on the ailment, fresh or dry tuber infusions, poultices, liquefies, frictions, essential oil, liquefied, etc. can be used.

It lends itself to various uses because it can be found and consumed in different forms, from the most classic to the most surprising:

1.- Dust: the most common form, used as a spice and is part of the famous Indian curry, well integrated into Western cuisine that has long adopted oriental flavors. The powder is also used to make delicious herbal teas with honey and in spice cakes.

2.- Fresh: it has a smoother flavor than powder, but its freshness gives a very pleasant acidifying flavor. Grated to make marinades, or marinated to accompany sushi, its pink color is often due to the addition of beet juice. The pronounced taste of marinated ginger helps neutralize the taste of one dish before moving on to another. Great chefs serve and often a ginger drink between two dishes of different flavors.

3.- Confit: simply a "sweet" made of ginger. It is very popular to warm the throat in case of cold and its flavor is quite surprising.

4.- Essential oil: this oil concentrates the active and potent compounds of ginger. It is used in massages and can also be consumed diluted in a neutral oil.

Uses of ginger in the kitchen

Ginger, used in small proportions, can be added to give flavor and aroma to different preparations: from infusions such as a lemonade or a tea with ginger, to sweet or salty dishes.

For example, we can make cookies with ginger and honey, or gingerbread black tea cake, as well as candied ginger to decorate or add to cakes or other sweet dishes.

It is also possible to prepare hot and salty dishes with ginger, such as a turkey with orange and ginger, a carrot and ginger cream, some spicy noodles with chicken, chili and ginger or a curry rice with cod and egg.

How to harvest ginger

Ginger from the time it is planted (spring) until it reaches maturity can take around 7-9 months (depending on the variety and climate where it is found) It is usually collected in the autumn-winter season when the leaves They have finished drying. To ensure production for the following year we will leave a piece of ginger in the substrate and the rest will be consumed. Ginger takes about two years to produce flowers, they are not consumed merely decorative.

If you want to know more how to grow, we need a piece of ginger that does not have a very rough surface or that has decay or fungi. Then the ginger is divided into several pieces. These are introduced in water a few days and will sprout; it is not necessary that during the process they get the sun. Once they have several buds, we bury them in horizontal position or lying on the substrate, it is very important to leave the shoots upwards and without burying them. Planting distance is 30 to 50 cm between plants. As for the depth, it can grow perfectly in a planter about 40 cm high.

Soil to grow ginger:
It is not a particularly demanding plant as far as the type of soil is concerned, but it is preferable to use a substrate of rather sandy texture, to favor the drainage.

Climate to grow ginger:
This plant can not stand neither the wind nor the cold, so it must be protected in winter. It has a preference for humid weather and mild temperatures around 20ºC. As for sun exposure, it is preferable that it is not fully exposed. You need a place with enough light for your correct growth, for example, the ideal thing is to place it near a window where there is clarity, but without the sun being directly affected.

How to water the ginger: Ginger is a plant that needs to be with moisture, without puddling, because the excess water is harmful. Keep the soil or substrate continuously moist. For example, irrigation by nebulization in this type of plant would work very well. Without problems the manual irrigations without flooding the culture vessel and the drip work very well.

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The ideal thing is that before transplanting to the substrate it is well fertilized, that it is rich in organic matter. In the winter, the substrate can be slightly strengthened with ecological fertilizer.

Finally, you need to know that strict doses of ginger are not recommended. You can eat it to your liking, since its spicy flavor certainly allows to limit the ingested doses. In addition, it should be avoided in pregnant women, especially in large quantities, because with the desire to fight against nausea and vomiting, some women can abuse ginger. We often have doubts about the occurrence of miscarriages with the non-seasoned use of ginger.

I hope you serve this information for health and cooking.