Ginger Up

Ginger is a herb but is often known as a spice, with a strong distinct flavor that can increase the production of saliva. The part that is used as spice on the plant itself is the rhizomes or ginger root. This ginger root is traditionally used with sweet foods in Western cuisine being included in popular recipes such as ginger ale, ginger snaps, gingerbread, ginger biscuits and ginger cake. It is also used in many countries as a medicinal ingredient which many believe in. Some say it can help cure diabetes, headaches, colds, fatigue, nausea and the flu when used in tea or food.

For over 2 thousand years Chinese medicine has recommended the use of ginger to help cure and prevent several health problems. It is known to promote energy circulation in the body while positively increasing the body's metabolic rate.

Ginger is good for your health and has been said by some to be a plant directly from the Garden of Eden. It is also said that consuming Ginger before taking a plane flight can prevent motion sickness. It can make good tea, or you can use it as a spicy addition to almost any recipe.

Ginger has a wide variety of effects on the human body and is known to be effective for the treatment of cataracts, amenorrhea, heart disease, migraines, stroke, , angina, athlete's foot, colds, bursitis, chronic fatigue, tendinitis, flu, coughs, depression, dizziness, fever, erectile difficulties, infertility, kidney stones and viral infections.

Various ways to use Ginger

·         Ginger has many uses in the home remedies department and can be used to help arthritis, diarrhea, flu, headache, heart and menstrual problems, diabetes, stomach upset and motion sickness.

·         Muscle Strains - Apply warm ginger paste with turmeric to the affected area twice a day.

·         Sore Throat - Boil some water and add a dash of cinnamon, a little piece of ginger, 1 tsp honey and drink.

·         For a persistent cough - Take a half teaspoonful of ginger powder, a pinch of clove with a pinch of cinnamon powder and honey in a cup of boiled water and drink it as tea.

·         Asthma - A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste acts as a excellent expectorant in the treatment of asthma.

·         Headaches - Dilute a paste of ginger powder, about 1/2 a teaspoon, with water and apply to your forehead.

·         Colds - Boil a teaspoonful of ginger powder in one quart of water and inhale the steam - helps alleviate colds.

·         Ginger Compress - This method stimulates blood and body fluid circulation, helps loosen and dissolve toxic matter eg. cysts, tumors. Place about a handful of coarsely grated ginger in a cloth and squeeze out the ginger juice into a pot containing 4 liters of hot water (do not boil the water). Dip a towel into the ginger water and wring it out. Apply very hot to the affected area.

·         Diabetes - Some doctors recommend some drinking ginger in water first thing in the morning to help regulate your glucose level.

·         Ginger Tea - Make with fresh ginger root. Grate a small piece of ginger, about the size of a nickel, into a mug. Add the juice of a half a lemon. Fill the mug with boiling water. Stir in a teaspoon of organic honey.

·         For relief of nausea - Ginger is generally taken in doses of 200 mg every 4 hours.

·         For relief of flatulence - Ginger is generally taken in doses of 250 to 500 mg 2 to 3 times a day..

Garlic: King of all herbs

Garlic is an herb that is grown around the world. It is related to onion, leeks, and chives. It is thought that garlic is native to Siberia, but spread to other parts of the world over 5000 years ago.

Other Names: Allium Sativum ,Ayu (Yoruba)

The part used is the bulb.

Herbal Uses

1.    Antiseptic

2.    Arthritis

3.    Asthma

4.    Bronchitis

5.    Cancer

6.    Cerebra-spinal Meningitis

7.    Cholera

8.    Constipation

9.    Coughs (Whooping)

10. Diarrhoea

11. Dropsy

12. Dyspepsia

13. Eyes

14. Fever

15. Gall Bladder

16. General Immunity

17. Heart (Weak)

18. Hypertension

19. Intestinal Problems

20. Liver

21. Lung

22. Pains

23. Skin

24. Stomach Ache

25. Stomach Ulcer

26. Tuberculosis

27. Typhoid

28. Worms

How does it work?

Garlic produces a chemical called allicin. This is what seems to make garlic work for certain conditions. Allicin also makes garlic smell. Some products are made "odorless" by aging the garlic, but this process can also make the garlic less effective. It's a good idea to look for supplements that are coated (enteric coating) so they will dissolve in the intestine and not in the stomach.

How it is used

Some people chew garlic, but because of the pungent smell, a lot of people run away from this very important herb. There other ways which garlic can be used and you wont have problems with the pungent smell in your mouth.

1.    Peel a few pieces of garlic, dice it, pour it into your mouth and swallow with water of your preferred juice of beverage

2.    Garlic Tea - Grate a few pieces of garlic, pour into a cup and add boiling water, cove rthe cup and let it steep for 10 minutes, drain the garlic water and add  honey to sweetened

3.    Garlic Tincture – peel a good quantity of garlic, cut each into two, get hot drink (preferably gin), soak the Garlic into the gin and allow it to stay for 2 weeks. Shake the bottle every day. After 2 weeks strain the gin. Add a few drops of the gin infused with garlic into a glass of water and drink. You will hardly feel the pungent smell of the garlic

4.    Garlic Oil – peel a good quantity of garlic, cut each into two, get pure virgin olive oil, soak the garlic inside the olive oil for 2 weeks, shake the bottle once a day, after the 2 weeks, you can strain the oil. Take a tea spoon of garlic oil preferably in the morning before breakfast