Organic Ginger Powder
About Ginger Powder
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial tropical plant that is native to Southeast Asia. Ginger was first cultivated by the ancient Austronesian civilization. However, no wild species of ginger are known to man. Ginger is categorised in the Zingiberaceae family. This family also contains some other common spices such as turmeric (Curcuma longa) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Ginger derives its name from the Middle English word gingivere. This was borrowed from the Latin term gingiber. The Greeks referred to it as zingiberis. The first term used to describe ginger was srngaverum, a Sanskrit term translating to “horn root” due to the peculiar shape of the plant’s root. The ginger plant has leafy stems that can grow up to 1m in height. It has green elongated leaves which are alternately arranged along the stem. Its flowers are small, cone-shaped, and either pale green or purple. What is harvested is the root that grows below the soil surface. Harvesting is carried out by digging out the rhizomes from the ground. The harvested rhizomes range in colour from pale brown to intense yellow. Harvesting of ginger can take place anywhere between 5-9 months. The only difference between ginger roots harvested much earlier and those that have been harvested at 9 months is the toughness of the skin. After harvesting, the ginger rhizomes are cleaned and dried. Ginger powder is obtained by finely grinding the dried ginger.
Ginger has been an important part of different cultures around the globe for thousands of years. The history goes back to over 4500 years ago. Shen Jiang, as it is called by the Chinese is referenced in ancient Chinese texts created around 2000 BCE. It is stated in these texts that pot-grown ginger was very popular among the Chinese cultures whenever they were at the sea. Taking ginger would often make them stronger and prevent them from falling ill easily. The use of ginger in traditional dishes was very common among ancient Indian tribes. Evidence supporting these claims was found in old Sanskrit manuscripts known as the Mahabharata believed to have been written in the 4th century BC.
From India, ginger found its way to Rome where the Romans enjoyed using it for culinary purposes. A tax was imposed on all batches of ginger passing through Alexandria into Rome. The fall of the Roman Empire spelled an end to the distribution of ginger by the Romans. Arab traders took advantage and monopolised the trade. They strictly directed how it was supplied and traded with European markets. In the 13th and 14th centuries, spice trade had firmly caught on. Cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper were being exchanged frequently for other precious commodities. It is claimed that a pound of ginger and a fully grown sheep were equivalent in terms of cost. During their exploration, the Arabs landed in Zanzibar. They introduced ginger and its cultivation to the local inhabitants. Gradually, the cultivation of ginger spread to the rest of the African continent. Spanish explorers in the 1500s introduced ginger to Jamaica. All the ginger being cultivated in vast plantations in Jamaica were exported to Europe.
Please note it is against MHRA guidelines for us to talk about any potential health benefits for this supplement however a quick google search on the potential benefits and you may be surprised.
How To Take
3 grams daily (1 teaspoon - 3 grams) can be mixed with foods in culinary use, or if being used for medicinal purposes can mix 1/3 a teaspoon i water and drink 3 times a day. Or take as directed by your healthcare practitioner.