The Latin name of this plant is Zingiber officinalis.
The part of the ginger plant that we are familiar with is the chunky roots of the plant, which are called rhizomes. While the rest of the plant is edible and can be chopped up and eaten in salads if you'd like, the rhizome clump under the soil is the tasty part that holds the majority of the nutritional benefits of the plant. Ginger is known to help relieve digestive issues like gas and bloating, and is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There are active ingredients in ginger called gingerols, which are effective in reducing nausea as well.
If you're looking from some digestive relief and to strengthen your gut health, try some fresh ginger tea! Chop up or grate about a teaspoon of fresh ginger root in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes. You can put the ginger in a tea leaf infuser or strain out the bits after steeping if you don't want to drink the ginger bits. OR for an even more delicious way to get your ginger in, you can make crystalized ginger by chopping up some bite-sized bits of ginger and boiling them with sugar and water, then allowing them to dry before eating. You can easily find ginger in most grocery stores right next to the garlic.
Have a magical day!
Jenny
PLANT INGESTION WARNING!
As with all herbs and plants you plan to ingest, never ingest them before doing your own research and/or talking with your doctor - it’s possible that medications you take or health conditions you have could have a negative effect if paired with ginger. Better safe than sorry!
Photo credit goes to Johan Kusuma