Ginger is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia but is now cultivated in warmer climates such as Jamaica and other places in the Caribbean. It’s strong taste and potent smell distinguish ginger root quite easily from other spices. The root is commonly used to flavor tasty dishes but has numerous medicinal properties. Chinese herbalists have used this herb for thousands of years.

Ginger can be used to sooth an upset stomach and digestive problems, ease feelings of nausea, promote circulation, and treat arthritis. Nausea which occurs during pregnancy or travelling can be eased by ginger. Ginger tea or drinks with ginger root in them work best and supplements are also available on the market. You can try mixing ground ginger with lime juice to make a drink that eases the digestive tract and prevents flatulence. This herb supports a healthy cardiovascular system as it makes platelets in the blood less sticky and promoting blood flow to the heart. Using oils with ginger in them to massage on the body can also be therapeutic. Ginger massage oil can be made at home and can relieve painful arthritis. The herb’s anti-inflammatory properties have been well documented and can even be used to treat injuries such as sprained or tense muscles. Many herbal decongestants now contain ginger to minimize the uncomfortable effects of colds, allergies, and other respiratory properties. Another thing ginger can be used for is to treat headaches or migraines. Denmark researchers discovered that ginger can block the effects of prostaglandins which cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, causing headaches .

Not only does ginger have numerous medicinal qualities, but it is very safe to use. It has not been found to interact with any drugs in the body, so if you are taking prescriptions of any kind it is safe to use. Pregnant women should use caution with how much ginger they are consuming in their first trimester.