The Natural Benefits of Ginger

GINGER!

It is that time of year where having ginger around is extremely helpful! It warms the body, flushes toxins out of our system, boosts our immune system, instantly energizes us and can ease our nerves. We all appreciate it – and earth naturally provides it!

Let's look at the science of ginger. Ginger is extremely low in calories 333 kj (80kcal) per 100g (3.5oz). Ginger is made up of atoms that include trace metals and vitamins. Vitamins include thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Trace metals include Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium and Zinc.

Top 4 benefits of ginger include:

• Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory
• Ginger is a pain reliever
• Antibacterial
• Extremely grounding (as it is a root grown in the soil)

When I coach clients who have an addiction to sugar I recommend them to drink ginger tea either in the morning or afternoon. Ginger can help to rid intense refined sugar cravings and many comment they feel "so clean" after drinking it.

The Indigenous Take On Ginger.

From the age of 5, I grew up with aboriginal people in outback Australia. I learned the laws of nature, how to survive from the land, and how to look at whole foods as if they represented a human organ. For example ginger actually looks like a strong bowels as well as solid toned muscles. Aboriginals would recommend ginger for strengthen the digestive system as well as toning the body. We can consume ginger through eating or drinking, and even bathe in it for a refreshing bath. We can even just think about ginger, and some of you will instantly smell ginger just reading this, and that action can cause us to experience some benefits of it. Also anything grown in the ground, like the soil, is grounding food so ginger would be recommended for when we need grounding to the earth.

Here are some amazing recipes using ginger straight from my new book "The Earth Diet."

GINGER TEA
Total time: 10 minutes | Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

4 cups water 2-inch piece of ginger, diced

ACTION:

1. In a saucepan, boil water and ginger for 7 minutes.
2. Strain as you pour into teacups.
3. Drink warm.

Calories: 2 | Total fat: 0g Carbohydrate: 0g | Dietary fiber: 0g Protein: 0g

APPLE CUCUMBER GINGER JUICE
Total time: 10 minutes | Serves 1             

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large green apples
• 1 large cucumber
• 1-inch piece ginger

ACTIONS:

1. Put all the ingredients in the juicer.
2. Juice and drink.

TIPS:

1. Add 1 lemon with rind for a vitamin C boost.
2. This is a juice for cleansing and supporting the gall bladder.

Calories: 203 | Total fat: 1g Carbohydrate: 53g | Dietary fiber: 1g Protein: 3g

RAW THAI WRAPS
Total time: 20 minutes | Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• Sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 carrot, grated
• Juice of 2 oranges 1/4 cup green onion, diced

Filling:

• 1 cup cabbage, diced (1/4 of a whole cabbage)
• 1 avocado
• 1 mango
• 4 large leaves of lettuce, kale, or collard greens (1/4 head)
• 1/2 cup fresh mint
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup sprouts

ACTION:

1. In a bowl, make the sauce by adding the garlic, ginger, apple cider vinegar, carrot, orange juice, and green onion. Mix well and let sit.
2. Cut the avocado and mango into slices.
3. Lay out a large lettuce leaf and layer it with the avocado and mango slices, some mint, cilantro, sprouts, and cabbage. Repeat for four of them.
4. Pour some sauce over the wrap to taste.

Calories: 135 | Total fat: 6g Carbohydrate: 22g | Dietary fiber: 5g Protein: 3g

Ginger is also a useful food preservative and can be excellent with fermenting vegetables - which is also a natural probiotic. You could also add ginger to the Cookie Dough Recipe in my book if you like Ginger Cookies!

With love and ginger,
Liana Werner-Gray
Founder and Author of The Earth Diet