What Makes Ginger Root So Amazing

Ginger is one of the most popular spices out there and for good reason. Not only does it add a delicious edge to your cooking, but it also provides your body with a plethora of nutritious benefits.

In this article, we'll dig into what ginger is, what benefits is can provide, how you can use it more in your daily life and why we have chosen to include in our brand new product, Organifi Pure. 

What Is Ginger Root?

Ginger root is a flowering plant that's roots are used and often ground into spice form. Ginger has been a popular spice in China and India for over 3000 years. It only became popular among rich Europeans in the 19th century, eventually making its way to the rest of the Western world, making it an everyday item in most kitchens.

Besides China and India, it is also an important spice in other parts of Asia, such as South-Korea and Japan. You might’ve heard of the Japanese gary, the famous pickled ginger which is a not yet mature ginger, marinated with vinegar and sugar and served with sushi and sashimi.

Most ginger comes from Asia, with India providing the highest quantities and China and Indonesia following close behind. With the proper soil, lighting and environment though, it is possible to grow it most places (even at home, if that's your thing). 

It has a strong, potent taste that may not be super appealing on its own, but can become exceptionally complimenting when used with the right recipes and dishes. 

Why Should I Use Ginger Root?

Along with its highly complimenting taste, ginger root has lot of proven benefits that it's able to offer your body.

Benefits Of Ginger Root

• Muscle Pain - Ginger is great news if you are a dedicated athlete or like to workout. A study conducted at the University of Georgia found that ginger reduces muscle pain by 25%. As little as 3 grams of ginger can significantly reduce muscle soreness, according to a study published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine in 2013.

• PMS - Ladies! According to a 2009 study, ginger is just as effective in relieving menstrual pain as Ibuprofen! Skip the drugs and choose the medicine of mother nature.

• Migraines - Ginger has also been found to be just as powerful at reducing migraine pain as the popular Imitrex with fewer side effects and less long-term damage, explained by a 2014 study.

• Motion Sickness - Ginger also does wonders for motion sickness, morning sickness and nausea in general.

• Inflammation - Ginger has potent inflammation-reducing properties. The root of many disease is chronic inflammation. When you fill your diet with inflammation-reducing foods, you can heal your cells and decrease inflammation throughout the body.

• Immune System - Ginger has two compounds that are responsible for improving the function of your immune system. A good immune system ensures that you don’t get sick as often and that you recover faster from illness.

• Respiratory Infections - Ginger acts as an antiviral and antifungal compound along with its inflammation-reducing effects. Consuming ginger on a regular basis can ensure that your airway is not infected by bacteria. It also relieves the respiratory congestion caused by common colds and influenza.

• Brain Performance - When you consume ginger on a regular basis, your cognitive performance, brain power and memory can enhance. Ginger has compounds that keep you protected from inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress. Being protected from these helps your brain to perform better.

• Blood Circulation - Ginger helps ensure that your blood flow is good throughout your body. When your body has good blood flow, the rest of your body can be well supplied with nutrients, oxygen and minerals that it needs in order to function properly. Ginger also has compounds such as zingerone and gingerols that have a warming effect on your body. These compounds are what improve your body’s blood flow.

How Should I Use Ginger Root?

There are many ways that ginger can be included in your diet, some of the most popular ways being:

• Making ginger tea
• Blending it in with smoothies
• Juicing it
• Adding the spice to your favorite dishes

Or you can consume it as an ingredient in juice powders, such as Organifi Pure.

Organifi Pure can support your digestion, aid hydration and help your focus and memory. Along with supportive enzymes, Pure contains countless powerful superfoods, including baobab powder, lion mane, aloe vera, ginger, apple cider vinegar and coconut water.

Organifi Pure tastes light and mildly sweet with a refreshing subtle tanginess. Just mix it with a glass of water and you are ready to go. You may also add Pure to your juices, smoothies and other recipes

Recipes Using Ginger Root

Apple-Ginger Shot

Ingredients:

• ½ green apple
• 1 small knob of ginger sliced (you can use more or less depending on how adventurous you are)

Instructions: 

1. Juice all ingredients in a juicer.
2. Drink it quickly just like you would with any other shot.

Ginger-Turmeric Apple Juice

Ingredients:

• 1 knob of ginger
• 1 knob of turmeric
• 1 apple
• 1 bunch of parsley

Instructions: Juice everything in your juicer. Enjoy. 

Homemade Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 large fresh ginger root (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks. enough to have 8 to 10 1-inch chunks)
• 5 cups water
• Juice from 1 fresh lemon
• Honey
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper (powder)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, simmer the ginger chunks in 5 cups of water for a minimum of 20 minutes, but the longer the better. 
2. Divide the tea between 2 large mugs, or 4 smaller mugs, making sure not to serve the chunks of ginger!
3. For each mug, stir in: juice from 1/2 lemon, 1/2 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, dash of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste). 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is ginger root?

A. Ginger root is a flowering plant that's roots are used and most often ground into a spice form that is used all across the globe.

Q. When does ginger root go bad?

A. If a ginger root becomes soft and moist and has dark edged when peeled, it's likely going bad and shouldn't be consumed. The sooner you use your ginger root, the better.

Q. Will ginger root help with weight loss?

A. Ginger root has properties that can help boost the metabolism and therefore, help support weight loss efforts.Ginger alone can't do wonders when it comes to weight loss, but it can definitely support your goals.

Q. Does ginger root give you energy? 

A. Ginger root can reduce fatigue by how it helps improve blood circulation throughout your body and can also help you feel better by how it boosts your immune system.

Q. Are ginger root and ginger the same thing?

A. Yes, ginger grows as a root and is ground down into a spice form that people are most familiar with.

Q. Can ginger root be frozen?

A. Yes, it's to freeze it after it's been peeled and minced. Once frozen, you can get it back out at any time to add it to your recipes.

Conclusion

Ginger root is truly an incredible superfood that can do amazing things for your health and your body. It's one of our favorite go-to spices and is included in several of our products, including Organifi Pure. Don't forget to grab some of your own over at our shop! 

What's your favorite way to use ginger root? Do you have any recipes you'd like to share? Have you grabbed yourself some Organifi Pure to try? What are your thoughts? Feel free to share with us in the comments below, we'd love to hear from you.

And remember, we're in this together.