In Asian cooking, ginger is used in many dishes, as part of the aromatics arsenal. And for good reason. Not only does it taste good and helps in removing the “fishy” smell in seafood dishes, but the health benefits of ginger have also earned them a permanent spot in my kitchen. Read more about it.

Using Ginger in Cooking

At home, I use a lot of ginger for stews, soups, and even pork adobo. Sometimes, I would grate some of it for dumpling fillings, like for my double-cooked gyoza or our healthy favorite –the steamed Napa cabbage rolls.

When I use too much, my hubby would mention it because he is not really fond of the taste of ginger. For him, it is too overpowering. He would ask me if I really like this root because he always tastes it in my dishes. And I would always say it is because of the health benefits of ginger.

I believe in therapeutic cooking—preparing healthy dishes for the family that are not only good in taste but can also bring healing. Ginger is one ingredient that brings so many health benefits as well as healing properties.

The good thing is, ginger is very versatile. You can add raw ginger to food, take it as a supplement, or drink it as tea. But rather than take ginger per se, especially in powder form, I prefer to cook with it.

• Recipe: Chinese-Style Braised Pork Hock Recipe

What Are the Health Benefits of Ginger

So, what good things does the ginger root bring you? Read about the health benefits of ginger and I am sure that you will try to include it in your cooking as much as you can.

• 1. Antibacterial. The active compounds in ginger kill oral bacteria to keep periodontal disease at bay. It is also good for sore throat. Some people steep a crushed, thumb-sized, peeled ginger in a cup, pour boiling water over it, steep it for at least 5 minutes, and then drink the brew as tea. Others who can stand the taste just chew on fresh ginger like hard candy until its juices run out.

• 2. Anti-inflammatory. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties so it can promote the healing of sore muscles and even prevent or keep arthritis symptoms in check.

• 3. Improves lipid profile. In a study, it was discovered that ginger can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It can reportedly even boost HDL- the good cholesterol.

• 4. Lowers blood sugar levels. As with cholesterol levels, ginger also lowers and maintains healthy blood sugar levels.

Conclusion

There are many other health benefits of ginger but the four mentioned above are enough to make this root a kitchen staple. Try to use it as much as you can in your cooking without sacrificing taste because your body will love it.

Drinking Ginger Turmeric Tea

Another good way to enjoy the goodness of ginger is through ginger or ginger-turmeric teas made by artisanal businesses. Here in the Philippines, there are a lot of them. Many of these use pure organic ginger and turmeric with little processing. But you have to make sure that what you are taking does not contain a lot of sugar.

Health Warning: There are some reports about the effects of herbal remedies on the kidney. It is advised that after drinking ginger-turmeric tea for a month, you should rest for at least a week. And remember to drink lots of water.