The Magic of Ginger

Posted by Neill Abayon

At least once a week, I have a craving for sushi and not just because I grew up loving California rolls, sliced fresh tuna, and crab salad. In fact, my favorite part of the raw Japanese meal by far has to be the little lump of often peach-colored pickled ginger that sits in the corner of the plate. Snapping up the slices of ginger from all of the plates on the table in one delicious yet spicy mound is the best part of my night. I never really thought that consuming that much ginger could be preventing future body pain, I just love the taste. The good news is that this wonderful root can actually help lessen a whole host of ailments.

Ginger is commonly used in cooking as well as for medicinal purposes. Ginger, also known by its Latin name Zingiber officinale, is often used in Asian cultures as a way to treat nausea or stomachaches usually associated with post surgical symptoms, pregnancy, chemotherapy aftereffects, or motion sickness. This reason may be why it is served with sushi—although it is called Gari instead of ginger when used in this manner—besides its original intention as a palate cleanser.” Many American dietary supplements contain ginger for its anti-nausea and vomit relief.

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