Ginger

By Win Sein

 

The known history of gin­ger dates back about 5000 years. Its native home is still debated but its medicinal and spiritual uses were first document­ed in Southeast Asia, India and China. Like many other spices, ginger was once a costly commod­ity in the 14th century, a pound of ginger cost as much as one sheep. By the middle of the 16th century, Europe was importing more than 2000 tons of dried ginger a year from East Indies. In the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off the plague and for a while, it was so popular, it has become used to place on the table like salt and pepper.

 

In 19th century Britain, it was said to sprinkle in beer (the source of ginger ale) and so followed by the expression used to “ginger “ a horse ( placed on the backside of the horse to prance more en­thusiasm energetically around the show ring).

 

In culinary, a saying in the kitchen is that ginger lifts and unifies the flavours among many dishes, from sweet to savoury. It can play a starry role in the recipe or smell. A mere pinch can elevate other ingredients into a delicious ensemble, though European ma­nipulation of the sweet strongly fla­voured dishes was found in many of the world’s famous cuisines, namely: Chinese stir-fry, Dutch pepper jack (gingerbread) one of France’s oldest spice group.

 

India and China are believed to have produced ginger as a root tonic for over 5,000 years to treat many of their ailments, and this plant is now cultivated outside the humid tropics, with India being the largest producer. In Thailand, it is an essential ingredient in many curry dishes so also in India, gin­ger is also an essential flavour ingredient in the vast majority of dishes as well as the popular hot beverage “Masala Chai” ( milky black tea with aromatic spices).

 

Fresh ginger is a great way to add fresh flavour to a variety of meals and recipes. Once peeled and grated, ginger can easily be thrown into various sauces, glaz­es and meringue to brighten up the dish, traditionally like noddle bowl or stir-fry, it can also be for a fun twist on recipes like Lemon Chicken with root vegetables or Zesty Heirloom Gazpacho, don’t forget to bake up a batch of fresh gingerbread squares for dessert.

 

In our humble opinion, ginger is the king of culinary spices, but its kitchen prowess is just half the story. There are ample ways to enjoy the health benefits of ginger. it was considered a luxury product thousands of years ago, it originat­ed from Chinese folklore and was adopted by ancient Indians and Chinese to treat common illnesses, so making spices a very valuable product for trading purposes.

 

 Even though ancient civilizations don’t have the knowledge of science or technology of the 21st century, they were inclined towards something, ginger is full of medicinal elements and its health benefits are support­ed by today’s research. Ginger’s medicinal benefits are indicated as follows: -

 

1, Help digestion

2, Reduces nausea ( including morning sickness)

3, Has anti-inflammatory prop­erties

4, Reduces exercise-induced muscle soreness and pain

5, Fight bacteria, and infections

6, May help protect against age-re­lated cognitive degeneration diseases

7, May improve heart disease risk factors

8, May help lower cholesterol levels.

 

Spiritual benefits of ginger (masculine energy, good luck, chakra activities and more ). In ancient Chinese medicine, ginger is believed to help raise the heart of the body and harmonize the energies, and ginger is used to balance the Chi, promote health and vigour and help invoke divine masculine force within.

 

The spiritual benefits of gin­ger are as follows: -

1, Burn ginger root to conse­crate ritual performance and charged religious power on amulets/jewellery

 

2, Diffuse ginger essential oil or incense for strength and vigour

 

3, Take a bath with ginger to channel divine masculine en­ergy

 

4, Use ginger to attract good luck and love onto your life

 

5, Use ginger to balance the root chakra.

 

There are not but a few ways to approach in order to incorporate ginger into your dishes at home.

 

Honey Garlic Shrimp

The low-calorie meal includes shrimp, which are high in proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, honey soy sauce, garlic and ginger mixed to create flavour­ful bites your family will love.

 

The Gingerbread Pumpkin Yule Log

Desserts, such as Ginger­bread-flavoured treats can in­clude ginger too, there’s little worrying that your family won’t gobble up this ginger-infused cake.

 

Ginger Beef Salad

Give your family a salad dish they’ll want to eat again n again. This quick and easy salad is healthy and savoury.

 

Toasted Sesame Ginger Salm­on

Salmon is one of the best dish­es to eat because it’s full of healthy vitamins and excellent for your heart. Enjoy this delicious dish with brown rice and vegetables.

 

Ginger Honey Chicken Wings

Take a healthier spin on an American classic meal by adding a ginger honey flavour to Chicken Wings. Warning !- this is surely a fingers-licking meal.

 

Ginger, all in all, is a powerful medicinal and spiritual tool that has been used for thousands of years, fresh or dried, it’s spicy flavour and the strength of its in­credible properties make it a bit of a “do it all” “ a spice commodity associated with heat, fire, mas­culine energy and the Sun. This spice is said to keep illness away and promote Health, Wealth and Prosperity.