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plant profile
Ginger
LATIN NAME
Zingiber officinale
MEANING
Aromatic; Comforting; Diversity; Pleasant; Safe; Strength; Unlimited wealth; Warming
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Ginger
About
Ginger’s scientific name is Zingiber officinale and it is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. The rhizomes of the ginger plant are used for teas, though they are commonly referred to as roots.
Active Constituents
Volatile oil and oleoresin.
Sowing & Growing
To grow ginger at home, start by picking up some fresh ginger root from your local supermarket or grocery store. You’ll usually find it near herbs or with garlic and chilies. When choosing your root, look for one that's firm and plump, with 'eyes' that indicate where the new stems will grow.
Just a heads up: supermarket ginger might have been treated with a growth inhibitor, but soaking the root for a few hours can help with that. Once you’ve got your ginger, plant the roots in shallow compost in a seed tray and keep it in a warm spot until you notice some shoots. When they start to grow, move them to a fresh pot and keep adding compost as they get taller. Make sure to water them regularly. Before you know it, you'll be ready to harvest your ginger in the autumn!
Harvesting & Prep
Ginger is usually ready to be harvested after about 8-10 months, when the leaves start to yellow and die back. You can either pull up the whole plant or just take what you need and let the rest keep growing. To harvest, carefully dig around the plant to loosen the soil, then gently lift the rhizomes (the roots) out.
After that, wash them and get them ready for cooking or storage. If you want to keep ginger for later, you can freeze it or store it in a cool, dry spot. Just a heads up—if you put ginger in the fridge, it can get a bit rubbery.
Therapeutic Properties
Analgesic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, immunostimulant, rubefacient and stimulant.
Traditional Uses
Ginger has been traditionally used to improve circulation and counter chills by "warming the constitution." It has been used to alleviate arthritis, stiff and sore joints, and inflamed muscles by improving circulation and reducing inflammation.
As a digestive remedy, ginger has been used to stimulate the appetite, reduce bloating and gas, and is now recognised as an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting from various causes. Ginger is also a great remedy for coughs and colds as it has warming and antimicrobial properties, which can help boost the immune system. It is also soothing when taken as a tea or used as a gargle for a sore throat.
