Speaking of Ginger...

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Lady Wystira Moonsinger Speaking of Ginger... © Wystira's Herbal BOS, 2003 Ginger has been used for cooking and healing for thousands of years. It was first used in China and then migrated to the rest of the world. Ginger not only spices up our food, but is good for your body. Ginger aids in the digestino of rich, fatty food and helps to relieve flatulence (gas). Ginger can be grown in greenhouses or indoors, as well as outdoors. You can tell ginger by its light green color. It thrives in raised beds

that are well-composted. Ginger has "eyes" just like potatoes. When planting, make sure ginger has at least 2 "eyes" per plant. Set the cuttings at least 3 inches deep and at least 12" apart. Ginger (Chiang in Chinese) is a botanic medicine. Ginger has heating and drying properties and is especially good in autumn and winter months. The best remedy for colds according to the Chinese is Ginger Tea. Ginger is also good for nausea, hangovers, and general dibility. Its sightly diuretic and strengthens the kidneys, blader, and utuerus by warming them and increasing their vital energy. Chinese healers have said that dreinking moderate amounts of ginger tea also helps the lungs and kidneys. Ginger can also be used externally. Ginger compresses, baths and oils are good for gout, arthritis, headaches, and spinal pain. Usually the freshly

expressed juice is used. Finely grate the ginger into a bowl. Gather the gratings into a cheesecloth and then squeeze out as much of the juice as you can into a bowl. Compresses are used for relieving sinus congestion, chest congestion from colds, flu, bronchitis, and some other pulmonary problems. You can use the compress to treat kidney problems, arthritis, and rheumatism, lower back and abdominal pain from menstrual cramping. Use the leftove juice for a footbath to help improve circulation. For an extra-strength bath use 2 pounds of gingerroot and 1 gallon of water. Use the same method of extration as for a compress. Add this mixture to a hot bath and revitalize your whole body and relieve tired, sore muscles from hard work, bruises, arthritis or bursitis. Ginger oil made from equal parts of ginger juice and cold-pressed sesame seed oil

is used to massage into the skin in place of a ginger compress. Also great for spinal and joint problems by massaging into the affected area. This oil mixture has also been used to treat earaches by placing a cotton ball soaked in the oil in the ear. Ginger is good for promoting all-over health by stimulating circulation and acts as a stimulant for those recouping from an illness. Powdered ginger, in capsule form, is also used for treating car sickness and also good for treating vertigo. If you're going to have herbs in your cabinet, make sure ginger is among the ones you have on hand at all times. My Stores: www.mystimornin.ecrater.com My Group: WystirasHerbalGardengroups (DOT) msn.com Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games.

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