The earliest name for ginger is srngaveram (or singabera). It comes from the Sanskrit words “srngam” (horned) and “vera” (body). But ginger has many other names as well. Qur’an calls it zanjabīl and “a spice from Heaven”, whereas Japanese people nicknamed it the “samurai sword”. Some call it “the white root”, or “the root of life”, or – poetically – “a golden warrior”.

This great variety of names proves the fondness humans had for ginger since ancient times. Its health benefits are numerous, which made it popular from the early times among physicians and healers. Its smell and taste are exquisite, which, in turn, made it popular among cooks. So let’s look at the ways we can use ginger in the kitchen to embrace the health benefits it carries.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Ginger Root


Ibn Sina was one of the first physicians to address the magical healing properties of ginger, prescribing it as a solution to a variety of sicknesses, including eye diseases, headaches, and digestion problems.

Fresh ginger is a source of many vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B, and C, as well as iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. It enhances metabolism and improves memory. It’s anti-inflammatory and can be beneficial when treating cold, flu, asthma, and arthritic. It boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, relieves muscle and joint pain, and has a soothing and calming effect. In addition to that, ginger is a natural blood thinner. It prevents blood from clotting and improves cholesterol levels.

How to incorporate ginger into our diet?

So how can we incorporate ginger into our everyday cuisine and make good use of all these amazing health benefits? Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do it. Ginger goes well with soups, meats, and a variety of fish and seafood. It can be added to pastries and sweet pies. It accentuates the taste and the smell of the food but doesn’t suppress it with its own aroma, which makes it a truly universal addition to any meal.

Ginger Tea


There are two ways to prepare ginger tea. Whichever one you choose is purely a matter of preference.

For the first method boil two cups of water, add a sliced ginger root (take about an inch) and let it simmer for 10 minutes. If you want your ginger tea to be stronger, let it simmer for up to 15 minutes.

For the second method grate an inch of the ginger root, put it in a kettle, pour some boiling hot water on top, and let it sit for 5 minutes. You can add honey, mint leaves, lemons slices, cloves, cinnamon, or cardamom for extra tastiness.

Ginger tea can be enjoyed in the morning or before bed. It improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and helps digestion. It also boosts your immune system and can keep you warm when that the seasonal cold is trying to get to you.

Ginger Coffee


For all the coffee lovers out there, ginger coffee can be a great alternative to ginger tea. To make it, simply boil some sliced ginger on the stove (about an inch of ginger root for 0.5 liters of water) and then add your coffee. You can also add milk, sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer. This cozy drink tastes like a gingerbread cookie, which makes it a perfect winter treat.

Pickled Ginger


The only thing that can be healthier than ginger, is pickled ginger. As all ginger products, it carries antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and, like all fermented food, contains probiotics — the so-called “good bacteria” that is necessary for digestion and intestinal health.

Pickled ginger is made of young ginger, thinly sliced and soaked in vinegar mixed with some salt (for 0.5 pounds of ginger you’ll need approximately 1 cup of vinegar).

Pickled ginger — or “gari” as Japanese people call it — is the essential add-on to sushi. But it shouldn’t be limited to that. Gari can be enjoyed with a variety of different dishes. Put it in salads, cook it with meat or fish, or add to sandwiches. Healthy eating has never been this delicious!

Ginger Jam

Sweet, sour, and comfortingly warm, ginger jam is a real winter treat. There are a number of ways to prepare it. The easiest (but nonetheless delicious) way is to combine 2 cups of peeled and chopped ginger root with 1 cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in a saucepan and boil it on medium heat. Let it simmer until the mixture thickens (it should take about 30-40 minutes) and that’s it, your ginger jam’s ready! Enjoy it with a warm toast or a slice of mild cheese that will help smooth out the sharpness of ginger—either Circassian or Mozzarella will do nicely.