Ginger Root
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. (Say that 3 times fast!) It is valued for its flavor and its age-old medicinal effects. Ginger is valued for its flavor and the age-old medicinal effects of its roots. Turmeric, cardamom, and galangal are also members of the Zingiberaceae family.
Ginger is a very common ingredient in many types of cuisine. It is used to add a little spiciness to soups and stews, or other foods. It can be eaten raw, cooked, dried, pickled or candied.
Ancient Sanskrit, Chinese, Greek, Roman, and Arabic texts discussed the use of ginger for health-related purposes. In Asian medicine, dried ginger has been used for thousands of years to treat stomachache, diarrhea, and nausea.