Ginger
Ginger, also known by the names isiot and ginger, is a perennial tuberous plant, distributed in the tropical climate zones of the following countries – India, Japan, China, the island of Sri Lanka and in most countries of Central America .
Ginger belongs to the group of spices and one of the first imported into Europe from the Far East. The roots of the plant are used.
Ginger has many varieties, each of which is distinguished by:
• By color, both on the skin and on the inside when cut. Sometimes the color of the skin varies from white to yellow-brown, and the core – from light yellow to almost orange. The most exotic tuber roots can be bright green in color with deep light blue veins.
• The smell of ginger can be similar to that of fresh spices, citrus or kerosene.
• According to the shape and length of the tuberous roots, ginger can take the shape of a fist, but it is also possible for them to be round, oblong or flattened.
But regardless of the shape, color, smell, ginger always has a characteristic spicy taste.
Nutritional value of 100 grams of ginger
• Proteins – 9.1 grams;
• Fats – 5.9 grams;
• Carbohydrates – 58.2 grams;
• Mineral salts – 4.8 grams;
• Water – 9.4 grams;
• Calorie content – 347 kilocalories;
100 grams of raw ginger roots contain 80 kilocalories, and dry ones – 347. The use of ginger in large quantities can cause weight gain due to its high carbohydrate content.
Beneficial properties
When using a fresh root of ginger, it is necessary to remove its outer shell very carefully, because the top layer of this spice contains the most – many useful substances.
Also, it should be noted that the specific smell of this spice is easily absorbed by wooden surfaces, therefore metal, ceramic or glass surfaces should be used when cutting and grating it.
Ginger tea is indicated for people with impaired function of the digestive system /for nausea, constipation and indigestion/ and for attacks of pain syndrome in gastritis.
Doctors prescribe weak ginger tea to pregnant women with severe and prolonged toxicosis. Also, this tea helps to strengthen the immunity, to lower the body temperature in case of fever and to relieve the painful sensations in the muscles in viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
The antioxidant effect of ginger tea allows the body to be cleansed of accumulated toxins and other residual substances from the metabolism, thereby normalizing metabolism and blood pressure.
Ginger can also be used to make a tincture, which acquires a more concentrated composition when kept in a dark and cool place for a long time.
Ginger tincture is used to purify the blood, reduce weight, increase visual acuity, and improve sexual function in both men and women, and as a tonic for mental and physical exertion.
Ginger essential oil is widely used in cosmetics, aromatherapy and massages. When used externally, ginger oil has a warming effect on soft tissues, increases blood circulation, relieves muscle and joint pain.
Contraindications
Ginger is low-allergenic in its properties and has practically no contraindications. Ginger tea is not recommended to be consumed by women in the second trimester of pregnancy, by hypertensive patients during a hypertensive crisis, as well as during a period of occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases.
