Ginger, Ginseng & Tea: Do Chinese Herbal Remedies Really Help?

The more I use ginger root, the more I love it. I always used powdered ginger in recipes, and it works OK. Typical ground ginger is dry, tastes bitter and is a nice addition to cookies and a variety of Chinese recipes including barbecued pork, baked pork roast, and several stir fries. Recently, though, I've started using grated ginger root instead. It has pretty much the flavor of dried ground ginger, but it adds a zing that is quite interesting.

The first time I used ginger medically was on a charter trip off the coast of Oregon. On board was a passenger that happened to be quite violently seasick. I've never seen anyone sicker. I can handle heavy wave action with just a bit of nausea, but when someone else is violently sick, I get worried. Ginger is a good cure for seasickness. It comes in pill form, or you can eat gingersnaps. I found the gingersnaps took the edge off for me, settling my stomach and leaving a pleasant aftertaste. I think that if I had been the seasick man, I would have taken an over the counter product several hours before the trip.

The second time I used ginger medically, was as an appetite suppressant and digestive aid. You can buy sugared ginger at many stores, I get it at Thriftway. This also works. You get a bit of sugar that you're craving, but the bite and sting of the ginger numbs your mouth a bit. It's a lot like eating Red Hot candies, but sharper. I also like the ginger green herbal tea for much the same purpose. It makes your tea different, my lemony.