Ginger, botanical name Zingiber officinale, belongs to the same family as turmeric and cardamom and is native to Southeast Asia. It has been used in Asian cooking and medications for thousands of years, and was highly valued by spice traders. Ginger is available fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallised and ground. Ginger aids digestion, stimulates appetite, helps to relieve nausea, promotes good circulation, is anti-inflammatory, and in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicines ginger is used to soothe upset stomachs, relieve diarrhoea and treat the symptoms of the common cold.
