Ginger is the World’s healthiest food! It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil. Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of “stomach problems,” including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite.
But, here’s where it really becomes of interest to The Chinese Quest. Ginger is aromatic, pungent and spicy, and adds a special flavor and zest to many Chinese fruit and vegetable dishes.
Combined with it’s extraordinary taste, and Ginger being so healthy to eat, is it no wonder that we go ga ga over Ginger?
History of Ginger
Native to southeastern Asia, a region whose cuisines still feature this wonderfully spicy herb, ginger has been renowned for millennia in many areas throughout the world. Ginger is mentioned in ancient Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern writings, and has long been prized for its aromatic, culinary and medicinal properties. After the ancient Romans imported ginger from China almost two thousand years ago, its popularity in Europe remained centered in the Mediterranean region until the Middle Ages when its use spread throughout other countries. Although it was a very expensive spice, owing to the fact that it had to be imported from Asia, it was still in great demand.
The Benefits of Ginger
Maintains Normal Blood Circulation. Ginger contains chromium, magnesium and zinc which can help to improve blood flow, as well as help prevent chills, fever, and excessive sweat.
- Remedies Motion Sickness. Ginger is a known effective remedy for the nausea associated with motion sickness. The exact reason is unknown, but in a study of naval cadets, those given ginger powder suffered less.
- Improves absorption. Ginger improves the absorption and stimulation of essential nutrients in the body. It does this by stimulating gastric and pancreatic enzyme secretion.
- Cold and Flu Prevention. Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a natural treatment for colds and flu around Asia. To treat cold and flu symptoms in adults, steep 2 tbsp. of freshly shredded or chopped ginger root in hot water, two to three times a day.
- Combats Stomach Discomfort. Ginger is ideal in assisting digestion, thereby improving food absorption and avoiding possible stomach ache. Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in a similar way to aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Colon Cancer Prevention. A study found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
- Reduce Pain and Inflammation. Ginger contains some of the most potent anti-inflammatory fighting substances known and is a natural powerful painkiller.
- Fights Common Respiratory Problems. If you’re suffering from common respiratory diseases such as a cough, ginger aids in expanding your lungs and loosening up phlegm because it is a natural expectorant that breaks down and removes mucus.. That way you can quickly recover from difficulty in breathing.
- Ovarian Cancer Treatment. Ginger powder induces cell death in ovarian cancer cells.
- Strengthens Immunity. Ginger helps improve the immune system. Consuming a little bit ginger a day can help foil potential risk of a stroke by inhibiting fatty deposits from the arteries. It also decreases bacterial infections in the stomach, and helps battle a bad cough and throat irritation.
- Combats Morning Sickness. Ginger has demonstrated a success rate of 75 percent in curing morning sickness and stomach flu.
Recipes with Ginger
We have published a few recipes with Ginger in them. Please click on the dishes name to read the recipe:
- Chinese Chicken with Soy and Ginger
- Chinese Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Sweet and Sour Cabbage
- Hoisin Chicken Wings
- Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Soup
- Long Life Noodles
- Chinese Pizza
- Easy Recipe for Wonton Soup
- Chinese Microwave Fish
- Also, check out our Vegan Guide to Chinese Cuisine
- And be sure to check out our Guide to Pairing Wines with Chinese Food
Do you have other recipes? We would love to publish them, and of course, give you complete credit along with links back to your website or blog.
Want to hit The Daily Double in the category of Good Health? Drink Green Tea with your ginger-laced Chinese food, and you’ll really reap the healthy benefits of eating Chinese food!
Humbly submitted for your consumption,
—Mee Magnum (“Chop! Chop!”)