Going Ginger. . .

photo courtesy joyfulbelly.com

Ginger in slices, powdered, or however else you like it (I've taken the root and bitten off bites to prevent motion sickness on a trip to and from France and it works!)--is not only tasty, but extremely beneficial healthwise.

Take a look:

It helps eliminate congestion. So go right ahead and add a slice or two to your lemon toddy (half to a whole lemon squeezed and added to a cup of hot water and honey). Not only does it add yet another element of cold-fighting benefits, it also tastes great. The zing in ginger brings out the flavors of the lemon and honey.

According to this article in boost-immune-system-naturally.com, this amazing root is anti-bacterial (even killing salmonella), contains anti-inflammatory agents, combats chills and fevers, has been shown to fight some cancers (breast, ovarian, colorectal carcinoma) and a host of other disorders.

It lowers blood cholesterol levels, stimulates circulation, has natural blood-thinning properties, and is therapeutic in the treatment of high blood pressure. So do you think that this tasty food may just be a blessing as it pertains to heart disease and stroke?

It also helps relieve headaches, reduces severity of post chemotherapy nausea, supports good kidney health, helps with morning sickness, and even promotes menstrual regularity.

The above is just a sample of all the purported health benefits. You can read more about it on the website cited above as well as many other resources, including:  healthbenefitsofginger.com/ and whfoods.comwhfoods.com.

So what does ginger contain to be able to support so many aspects of our health? Well, it's high in potassium (which supports healthy blood pressure), it contains manganese (protects lining of heart, blood vessels), it helps assimilate calcium, and it contains iron, zinc, beta-carotene as well as vitamins A, C, E, and B-complex.

So next time you make a stir-fry, or broil salmon or chicken, or make a pot of tea, mash up some sweet potatoes, make a tasty and beneficial soup. . . add a bit of ginger (fresh is always best, but powdered is just fine) and know you're doing your body (and taste buds) good.