Ginger – Zingiber Offecinale
Parts used – Rhizomes , leaves
Actions – Peripheral circulatory Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, laxative, digestion, expectorant, diuretic, appetiser, laxative, antiemetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenative, antioxidant.
Digestion
Ginger is a warming digestive stimulant, enhancing the secretion of digestive enzymes. It improves appetite & digestion & is useful in poor appetite anorexia, weak digestion, indigestion, food allergies, constipation & poor absorption of nutrients. It helps to regulate the gut flora & enhance immunity & protect from leaky gut syndrome, allergies & auto immune disease. With it antispasmodic action , it relieves pain & spams can be use for colic, wind, bloating, IBS. It can be taken to relieve nausea, including travel & morning sickness & vertigo.
Circulation
Ginger stimulates the heart & circulation & promotes blood flow throughout the body. It reduces the tendency to blood clotting, it helps with any conditions of poor circulation, including cold hands & feet, chilblains, angina & Raynaud’s disease. It lowers harmful cholesterol & helps to prevent cardio-vascular disease.
Respiratory system
With its antimicrobial action , ginger increase resistance to bacterial & viral infections including colds, sore throats , throat & chest infections. Antispasmodic & expectorant it can be used to relieve asthma, coughs, bronchitis. A hot tea taken at the onset of infection will help ease sore throats, colds, flu , bring down fever.
Reproductive system
Ginger stimulates circulation to the uterine area. It promotes menstruation & can be used for delayed & scanty periods & for clots. Its warming & antispasmodic actions ease period pains & endometriosis. Ginger Root Tea Warms & nourishes the entire pelvis Try a cup a day for several weeks.
Immunity
The volatile oils are antiseptic, dispelling acute bacterial & viral infections. With it anti-inflammatory & antioxidant actions Ginger aids immunity which is helpful in autoimmune disease & rheumatiod arthritis.
Externally
Fresh ginger can be chewed to relieve toothache. Dilute essential oil an be used in massage oils for lumbago, neuralgia & arthritis.
Magical uses
Element is Fire. Powers- love, money success & power. Whole ginger roots are planted & grown to attract money or the powdered root is sprinkled into pockets or onto money for this purpose.
Recipes
Fire Cider Zest – from Rosemary Gladstar
A warming, energizing concoction, fire cider zest is designed to light your fires. it can be added to salad dressing, used to flavor steamed veggies & sprinkled on steamed grains.
1/2 (half) cup chopped ginseng root , fresh or dried
1/4 ( quarter) cup freshly grated ginger root
1/8 cup of freshly grated horseradish
1/8 cup of chopped garlic
Cayenne to taste
Apple cider vinegar
Honey
Place the herbs in a glass jar, pour in enough vinegar to cover the herbs by an inch or two, then seal tightly . Let sit for 4 weeks. Strain the herbs from vinegar. Sweeten with honey to taste.
Lung & Chest congestion
Formula can be made into a Tea or Tincture
2 part Licorice root
1 part Cinnamon
1 part echinacea
1 part elecampane
1/4 (quater) part Ginger
Combine all above & store in airtight container. To make a tea use 1 heap tablespoon to 1 pint of hot water. Leave to steep for 10-15 mins. For a tincture blend talk to your herbalist.
Women’s Reproductive Tonic
Formula can be made into a Tea or Tincture
3 parts Licorice root
1 part burdock root
1 part Chaste tree berry ( Vitex)
1 part Dandelion root
1/2 ( half) part Cinnamon
1/2 (half) part Ginger root
Combine all above & store in airtight container. To make a tea use 1 heap tablespoon to 1 pint of hot water. Leave to steep for 10-15 mins. For a tincture blend talk to your herbalist.
Pick me up Tea
2 part Hawthorn berry, leaf and or flower
2 part Nettle
1 part Ginkgo
1 part licorice
1/4 part cinnamon
1/4 part ginger
Combine all above & store in airtight container. To make a tea use 1 heap tablespoon to 1 pint of hot water. Leave to steep for 20-25 mins. Drink 2 to 3 cups daily.
Cautions
Avoid in peptic ulcers, gallstones & with anticoagulants.
Green Blessings – Laura x