As a rhizome or surface root, ginger offers us a wealth of nutritional benefits. Ginger is spicy and pungent, and good for all seasons and body types. While ginger is grown in warmer climates, its properties make it very useful to warm the body each winter.

Soil Microbes Matter
Farmers have discovered that ginger grows significantly better in soil with a very high microbial content. The microbes help the ginger root uptake more essential nutrients to support its growth and nutrient profile. (1)
In fact, in the very hot and dry 2012 growing season, farmers found that ginger grown in soil with a very high microbial content fared better in an atypical extremely dry, hot summer than the ginger in less microbial-rich soils. (1)
In the very wet and especially rainy 2013 growing season, farmers reported that the ginger grown in microbial-rich soil was more resistant to pathogenic bacteria compared to ginger grown in the same wet soil with fewer microbes. (1)
Once again we are reminded that it is the abundance of soil microbes that support the plants health, immunity and resistance to extreme environmental stress. Many researchers suggest that it is our lack of microbial diversity that weakens immunity and predisposes us to avoidable sicknesses. Diversity matters, they say! Understanding the role microbes play in the foods we eat may surprise us as we investigate the botanical microbial intelligence of many seasonal foods.
Why Ginger
Perhaps gingers most famous claim to fame is related to its ability to enhance digestive strength, increase gastric emptying speed and resolve bouts of occasional heartburn. (4) It has been shown to reduce gas and bloating while increasing the strength of the digestive process. (3)
Ginger is also used to support healthy joint function by means of boosting the body’s natural inflammation pathways and by blocking the 5-Lox (5-lipoxygenase) degenerative enzyme. (2) Ginger is a natural antioxidant that that is only out-performed by certain berries and pomegranate. (3)
In fact, the antioxidant protective benefits of ginger were so powerful that it protected mice against lethal dosages of radiation. (5)
For more information regarding the benefits of ginger, read my article called “Ginger Magic.”
My Two Favorite Ginger Recipes for Digestion
- Ginger Pizzas – slice some ginger root into dime size slices. Spread them out on a plate and sprinkle them with salt and fresh lemon juice. Chew on one or two before meals to boost digestive strength. Store in the fridge until meal time.
- Ginger & Honey Paste – Squeeze some ginger in a garlic press and save the juice. Mix equal parts of the ginger juice with raw honey and add a pinch of salt. Take 1 tbsp before meals to fire up your digestive furnace (increase stomach acid production). Store in the fridge until meal time.
Daiva says
Hello!
I just found this amazing website!
I would like to ask you this: several years ago in winter I decided to boost my health with this tea: some grated ginger + lemon + honey. I mixed these ingredients and kept in the fridge. Took 1 teaspoon with hot water 2-3 times per day. After 5 days I got huge pain in my stomach, loss of appetite and so on. Took ezophagogastroduodenoscopy and conclusion was: “acute erosive gastritis (it is possible to suspect a chemical burn of the stomach lining)”. Doctors didn’t believe me that I burned my stomach with ginger, they were sure that I tried to poison myself, so they even prescribed me antidepressants! Then after couple of months: erosive oesophagitis (Grade B), erosive gastritis. I took different antacids for 2 years, nothing helped. Doctors couldn’t understand why. After 2 years I just stopped taking pills, chewed TUMS with calcium and so on and someday pain went away. BUT, now I can’t digest fats, protein, my tongue always coated in white. I guess my stomach acid is very low but I tried last weak Betaine HCL+porcine, OX Bile and immediately got heartburn and some pain. I want to start over again slowly. Is it OK to start with ginger? Or maybe I have allergy to it if it burned my stomach after just 5 days? I’m sure it was ginger, not lemon because I’ve been familiar with lemon, but with ginger no, it was the first time I ever used it.
Thank you!
Best regards,
Daiva
LifeSpa Staff says
Thanks for your question Daiva.
We are sorry to hear about your chronic issues with digestion and your stomach lining.
If you know from personal experience that Ginger causes such a severe reaction, we advise against having Ginger. You might decide that you would benefit from a more holistic digestive rebuilding program: https://lifespa.com/5-ways-perfect-digestion-food/
Since your situation is very specific, we believe you could benefit from a consult with one of our Ayurvedic practitioners: https://lifespa.com/about-lifespa/ayurvedic-clinic/
Be Well.
Lakshmi says
Wished to add one more ginger recipe that even kids like. Grind ginger and coriander seeds to a paste. Boil this in water like tea and filter. Add lemon juice and honey to taste. Drink it warm. This drink will help reduce vata and vata related headaches immediately.