Ginger is a plant with leafy stems and yellowish green flowers. It is a plant which comes from the family of cardamom and turmeric. It has a spicy aroma which is caused due to presence of ketones, especially the gingerols. The rhizome or the tuber of ginger is the main portion of ginger that is consumed.
The name of Ginger is derived from the Middle English gingivere, but this spice dates back over 3000 years to the Sanskrit word srngaveram, meaning “horn root,” which is based on its form and appearance. The Ginger is also known as ziggiberis in Greek, and in Latin it is called as zinziberi. It is said that Ginger is native to warmer parts of Asia, such as China, Japan, and India, but now is grown in parts of South American and Africa. It is believed that Indians and Chinese produced ginger as a tonic root for ages in order to treat several ailments. This ginger plant is now cultivated throughout the humid tropics of India and India ranked the largest producer of ginger.
In North East India, ginger is commercially grown in almost all the states of this region, but Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram are the leading states in terms of production of ginger. Meghalaya termed as the second largest producer of ginger in the country after Kerala.
Ginger is used as a flavouring agent in food and beverages.
Ginger is used in numerous forms, including fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallized, candied, and powdered or ground. The flavour of ginger is somewhat peppery and slightly sweet and has a strong and spicy aroma.
Ginger is normally used for treating nausea and vomiting as it can calm down or reduce such ailment.
It's also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and other conditions.
Another benefit which is attributed to ginger is its purported ability to decrease inflammation, swelling, and pain in a person.
Ginger may also be used as a weight loss remedy.
Ginger may help in lowering blood sugars.
One of the chemicals in ginger is also used as an ingredient in laxative, anti-gas, and antacid medications.
In manufacturing, ginger is used as for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
