Super Ginger

Isn’t it marvelous that a rhizome like ginger is so beneficial for our health? It is easy to grow too. Just put a piece of the ginger into the ground and it will grow if you nurture it well.


It is a powerful tonic that relieves nausea, flatulence, diarrhea and heartburn. It is a wonderful bath tonic too as it will drive the wind from your body.


We boiled ginger and lemon grass for our daughter to bathe in after she delivered her baby. It was autumn in Wales and we had brought over a lot of ginger and the lemon grass which we grew in our garden. The lovely aroma wafted through her house and it made a very refreshing bath for her. The Chinese believe that when a woman gives birth, there is a lot of wind in her body. So the ginger will drive out the wind. Her diligent dad boiled the ginger and lemon grass for her every morning. This was to ensure she will not have any aches and pains in her old age.

Other uses of the ginger include relieving menstrual cramps, migraine headaches and arthritis.

It also helps to reduce cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure and prevents blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

It is very helpful especially when you find yourself coming down with a cold or flu. Just add some ginger into your tea and drink it while it is warm. Teh halia (ginger tea) is very popular among Malaysians. It is also good for colic and relieves indigestion.

However one word of caution. Ginger can be very heaty. You could get a sore throat if you take too much.

It also gives a lovely flavor to your food. Women in confinement after childbirth take a lot of ginger to warm up their bodies. Chinese cooks use ginger slices when stir-frying their vegetables and in their soups as well. I usually use it in my cooking, especially when steaming fish, cooking soya sauce chicken and chicken in specially brewed rice wine where you need quite a lot of old ginger.

Ginger candy is also available. Some ginger is colored red and these are sweetened or otherwise thus retaining their “hotness”. Either one tastes good.

Ginger is a very useful ingredient to have in your kitchen. Young ginger can be pickled and you can eat it with century old eggs ( pei tan ) or on its own as an appetizer. There is also ginger wine which you can buy off the shelf. You can also squeeze out the ginger juice from the root. Ginger powder is also available these days and ginger tea as well. However nothing beats having fresh ginger to work with.