Spice up your juicing with ginger root! Use of the ginger root dates back at least five thousand years and it is one of the most widely use herbs in the world. Actually ginger is a rhizome (underground stem) with shoots that resemble bamboo. The skin of ginger is a pale tan color that looks rather woody. The yellow flesh inside holds the flavor, aroma, and medicinal properties of the plant. It’s taste is spicy, pungent, and slightly citrus.
Medicinal Uses of Ginger
Most commonly ginger is known to settle and upset stomach. Remember your mom giving you ginger ale when you had the flu? Ginger is also used for it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It’s also considered a “diaphoretic” which means that ginger stimulates sweating and releasing of toxins through the skin. Here are some other uses for ginger:
- indigestion
- motion sickness
- menstrual cramps
- colds/flu
- headaches
- lower cholesterol
- inflammatory conditions such as arthritis
- boost the immune system
Juicing Ginger Root
Ginger can give your juices an invigorating kick and jumpstart your immune system. It’s strong stuff, though! Start with about a quarter inch slice and peel the very outer layer. Put it through your juicer as you normally would. You might feel the burn from volatile essential oils. That’s the ginger stirring up your circulation. If it’s “no sweat” for you, turn up the spice and add a little more.