Ginger Herb Uses

According to "Growing and Using the Healing Herbs," ginger originated in China, traveled to Spain and arrived in the Americas with the conquistadors. Today, Jamaica cultivates ginger as a major commercial export. Ginger is used in a range of different cuisines. It is a popular ingredient in baking, especially during fall and winter holidays, when it is used in traditional dishes such as pumpkin pie, ginger snaps and spice cookies.

Culinary Uses

• Ginger snaps are available in most cookie aisles.

  Ginger has a number of uses in cooking. It is used to flavor soups, meats, vegetables, cookies and salads. The woody, pungent smell and the warming, sharp taste can bring new life to routine dishes. Sprinkle ginger on baked sweet potatoes, steak, chicken and roasted vegetables. Add ginger to fall soups and stews to warm the body from the inside.

Nausea Treatment

• Ginger can help relieve the symptoms of morning sickness.

  Herbalists recommend eating small amounts of ginger to treat nausea, including the morning sickness associated with pregnancy. Ginger tea can help ease symptoms, but herbalists caution pregnant women to use only small amounts for no more than four days because ginger can also trigger contractions. A 2005 study reported in "Obstetrics and Gynecology" confirms that ginger is safe and effective in pregnancy for relieving morning sickness.

  A study in the January/February 1988 edition of "Acta Oto-Laryngologica" reports that ginger can reduce motion sickness with none of the side effects caused by pharmaceuticals. Some of the pharmaceuticals relieved symptoms more effectively than ginger, but also come with side effects that may not be acceptable. Ginger can also reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy.

Digestion Aid

• According to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), Arabic, Asian and Indian traditional healers have used ginger to aid digestion for thousands of years. NutraSanus reports that ginger treats indigestion, heartburn, gas, abdominal bloating and appetite loss.

  Ginger teas or ginger tablets are effective ways of treating these symptoms.

Easing Arthritis

• A study published in the November 2001 edition of "Arthritis and Rheumatism" reports that arthritis sufferers experienced less pain than those who received a placebo. The negative side effects were limited to gastric upset.

Respiratory Treatment

• According to "Growing and Using the Healing Herbs," Chinese healers used ginger to treat colds, coughs and flu. Ginger tea can reduce mucus and relieve congestion.

  Combining ginger with capsicum, also known as cayenne pepper, can ease bronchial congestion and stuffy noses, according to Master Herbalist Louise Tenney. She recommends combining grated ginger and a dash of cayenne in hot water to make a tea.

Ginger Compresses

• Japanese Herbalist Naboru Muramoto recommends ginger compresses and baths for relieving headaches, gout, spinal pain, arthritis and general body aches. He suggests a preparation of pressed ginger juice for this. Ginger compresses can also relieve sinus and chest congestion.

  To make a ginger compress, grate ginger root into a cheesecloth covered bowl. Pick up the cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Place the cloth with the ginger inside over the painful area.

  Compress water foot soaks, made from the excess water from the compress, can stimulate the circulation according to "Growing and Using the Healing Herbs." Take the liquid expressed from your compress and put it in a shallow pan. Add water if necessary, put your feet in the liquid and soak for ten to fifteen minutes.

Menstrual Problems

• According to "Growing and Using the Healing Herbs," Chinese women used ginger compresses on the lower abdomen and back to relieve painful menstrual cramps. They might also drink ginger tea for delayed menses or cramping.