Herb Profile: Ginger

Zingiber officinale commonly known as ginger is such a diverse herb with so many beautiful healing qualities. I chose to profile ginger today as it is such an easily accessable herb that you can add to your cooking to enhance your health and the flavour of your food.

Ginger has been traditionally used to reduce nausea including travel and morning sickness, to improve circulation, stimulate digestion, reduce inflammation and treat colic.

Recent research has shown ginger to be effective for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (abdominal pain with bloating, burping, heartburn and nausea).

I use ginger in a lot of my herbal formulas for conditions ranging from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), to the common cold and arthritis. It is such a great warming herb and a real treat for the tastebuds!

And then there’s the kitchen! What can’t you do with ginger?! You can add it to cakes, muffins, biscuits, oatmeal, stir fry, smoothies and so much more! In winter, its great for your immune system to take ginger in your tea. A great combo is ginger, lemon and honey – use fresh ginger root just finely sliced or grated.

So get creative and start adding some ginger to your life 

As with all herb prescribing, you should see your naturopath or herbalist if you think that you should be on this herb as there are some conditions and medications that are contraindicated for its use.

The most amazing organic breakfast bowl in the world!

 

I have fallen in love… With breakfast!

One of my clients shared her breakfast recipe with me and I just can’t believe how amazingly delicious and satisfying it is! The recipe I was given was quite summer themed so I’ve made some changes to it to include winter fruit and have also upped the protein and nutrient content.

I pretty much change this recipe every day depending on what I’ve got in the cupboard or what I remember to put in so don’t be scared to experiment.

Using oat bran (ground up oats) means that it cooks really quickly so you only need to set aside 5-10 minutes to make it and its quicker to eat than oatmeal and more filling. When I’ve had this for breakfast it keeps me going way past lunch time and its so good that I wake up craving it!

Want to know the health benefits of having this for breakfast?

  • Its full of fibre and great at keeping your bowels regular (a daily bowl of this should result in a daily bowel movement)

  • Oats are great at nourishing the nervous system to help you cope with stress and they also help to lower cholesterol absorption

  • Almond meal and almond butter along with the seeds provide protein to help balance blood sugar and keep you fuller longer

  • Flaxseeds are a great source of essential fatty acids, b vitamins, antioxidants, magnesium and manganese. They are also a source of lignans which are beneficial for fertility and menopause.

  • Chia seeds also contain essential fatty acids and antioxidants as well as calcium, vitamin c, iron and potassium. They are also a good detoxifier.

  • Pears are a delicious winter fruit and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine very important to include in your diet during the colder months. Kim from Kim Gatenby Acupuncture says “Pears are a great natural treatment for coughs during winter. They are a Yin tonic which is nourishing, especially for our delicate lungs. As a preventative, you can enjoy pears regularly throughout the cooler months, and as a treatment eat as many as you can tolerate to clear your cough!”

So I guess the real question is, why wouldn’t you eat this for breakfast?

Here’s the recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water

  • ¼ cup oat bran

  • ¼ cup almond meal

  • 1 tablespoon coconut flakes

  • ¼ cup sultanas/raisins/currants

  • 5 freeze dried strawberries (or fresh in summer)

  • 1 pear

  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed (linseed)

  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

  • 1 teaspoon almond butter

Method:

  1. In a small saucepan bring the water with dried fruit and coconut to boil then turn heat down to a low simmer.

  2. Add strawberries, oat bran and almond meal and stir

  3. Grate one pear and add to the pan

  4. Add flaxseeds and more water if needed

  5. Just before serving stir through the chia seeds and almond butter

Serve with a little milk or yoghurt, a sprinkle of cinnamon and some fresh banana if desired.