GINGER

*GINGER*  Ginger is the spicy and flavorful root of the flowering plant Zingiber officinale. Commonly used to season food, it also has a long history as a folk medicine treatment for multiple ailments. The exact origins of the plant are unknown, but it's likely that ginger is native to Southeast Asia. People living in India and China have used ginger as a spice since ancient times. Traders brought ginger to the Mediterranean, then Europe, and eventually the Americas. Today, ginger is used in a variety of dishes and drinks around the world. The entire edible portion of the thick root, called a rhizome, is available in the produce section of most grocery stores. Dried and ground ginger can also commonly be found in the herbs and spices aisle. HEALTH BENEFITS,: Health Benefits Because ginger has been so widely used in traditional medicine, there are many scientific studies examining its medical value. Research suggests that eating ginger provides multiple health benefits. Nausea Relief: Taking ginger on a daily basis can help relieve nausea, especially for pregnant women and people undergoing chemotherapy. Blood Sugar Management: More research is needed, but ginger might help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels when taken regularly over a long period of time. Decrease Menstrual Bleeding: Regularly consuming ginger was shown in one small study to reduce the amount of blood released during menstruation.  Pain Reduction:E Eating ginger could help relieve some types of pain.