Ginger

I had a plant of edible ginger once; it grew beautifully - white flowers at the end of long, healthy green stems. We enjoyed using the root for teas, soups and Chinese dishes.

One of the reasons I planted the root I bought at the grocery store, is because at the time I was chronically suffering of a sore throat and I had been told to drink the tea or broth (depending on what I liked more - sweet or savory). Since the results were excellent, my curiosity was piqued and I had to research on it.

Please note that only the root is edible and that only of the Zingiber Officinale.

Here is what I found out:

• Ginger is a good decongestant - nose and chest. Therefore recommended for asthma, coughs, colds, and the flu.
• It stops the production of mucus (see above)
  
• It purifies your breath (that's why it is always served right next to sushi)
• It is a great digestion aid
• It is used to aid gastric problems
  
• It is great for a sore throat
  
• If you are shivering, have some ginger tea, it will warm you up and will eliminate toxins through your skin
• If you are having a headache, it is good to chew on a piece of this spicy and delicious root
• In the islands of the Caribbean the powdered ginger is made into a paste and then spread on brown paper that is made into a sort of envelope and then applied on the forehead to relieve a headache

Uses in the kitchen: Add a piece of ginger root and two sprigs of mint to the chicken soup, it is delicious and very healthy.

Ginger tea or broth on the stove: Great for colds and chest congestion, take a 3 inch piece of ginger root, peel and cut into little pieces, add three cups of water and bring to a boil until it goes down to two cups, if you like it savory add a chicken bouillon; if you like it sweet add plenty of sugar and juice of one lime. WARNING: If done like this it will be very spicy, not good if you suffer of stomach ulcers.

Ginger tea in the microwave: Take a piece of about 1 1/2 inch of ginger root, peel and cut in slim pieces, put in a mug, add water and microwave for two minutes. Add plenty of sugar and the juice of a lime - it is delicious.