There are many reasons to love the pungent aroma and great taste of ginger, but there is increasing evidence that ginger provides strong health benefits as well as great taste. Ginger has a long tradition of use in traditional medicine, and cultures around the world have long used ginger as a healing compound as well as a cooking ingredient.

For many hundreds or even thousands of years, the spice we know as ginger has had great significance to the practitioners of Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicine. The nausea reduction effects of ginger have long been known, and some recent studies suggest that ginger can be effective against the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy treatments.

The effects on circulation
Ginger is also thought to be good for the circulation, and many ginger enthusiasts have used it for that purpose. Ginger is thought to aid circulation and help the body sweat, and this can be an important factor in fighting colds and flu. Ginger is even being studied as a possible way to reduce the incidence of heart disease. It is not certain whether these possible heart benefits are a result of the increased circulation produced by ginger, or if there is some other mechanism at work.

Ginger has a great many uses in traditional folk medicine, and there is much anecdotal evidence of its reported health effects. Those health benefits are the subject of much ongoing research, and many clinical studies are currently underway into the many health benefits of ginger.

Ginger and motion sickness
Many frequent travelers swear by the effectiveness of ginger at preventing motion sickness, and some studies have suggested that it is just as effective as Dramamine and other common drugs used to treat motion sickness. While these effects are still being studied, it can’t hurt to add a bit of ginger to the meal you eat before hopping on that plane or boat.

Most major supermarket chains carry fresh ginger root, and if they do not chances are the local organic grocery store or health food store does carry this herb. When choosing ginger, it is important to choose those roots that are firm, and that have a distinct aroma. The more strong the odor of the ginger in the store, the more aromatic it will be in your recipes.

Ginger and good cooking
If you need ideas on how to use ginger in your recipes, be sure to check out recipes used in traditional Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. These cultures have made extensive use of ginger for many centuries, and there are some excellent recipes using ginger in combination with lamb, beef and even tofu.

Ground ginger can be quite a valuable substitute when fresh ginger root is not available, but fresh ginger is always preferred, both for its greater health benefits and for its superior taste. Fortunately, in most parts of the country fresh ginger root is available year round, so finding it should not be a problem for most shoppers. Ginger may be an ingredient that is unfamiliar to many, but it definitely pays to get to know this great herb.

Dong quai is one of those natural remedies whose use goes back thousands of years. For generation after generation, Asian societies have used dong quai as a tonic for the reproductive system of women. As a matter of fact, dong quai ranks right below ginseng as the most frequently used herb in Japan and China.

Where does dong quai come from?
Dong quai is obtained from the root of the perennial plant known as angelica sinensis in China and from the root of the A. acutiloba plant in Japan. Both species of plant feature eight foot hollow stems which are topped with umbrella shaped clusters of white flowers. The blossoms of both plants resemble its relative, Queen Anne’s lace. Modern European societies dong quai is being used for a variety of symptoms, both gynecological and non-gynecological in nature.

Some of the most common uses of dong quai, however, continue to be of a feminine nature, and it is thought that this herb helps promote uterine health and maintain regular menstrual cycles. Some research has suggested that the coumarins contained in dong quai are responsible for this effect. Coumarins dilate blood vessels, stimulate the nervous system and increase blood flow through the body. It is thought that coumarins may also relax the muscles of the uterus, which would help to explain the effectiveness of dong quai at soothing menstrual cramps.

In addition, dong quai is thought to help relieve PMS symptoms and irregular menstrual cycles. The reputation of dong quai as a female tonic is largely a result of its ability to reduce the symptoms of PMS and to regulate menstrual cycles. Many women have used dong quai to treat amenorrhea (missing or irregular menstrual cycles) and hemorrhagic (prolonged or heavy periods). It is thought that the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory actions of the herb are responsible for these healing effects.

The benefits of dong quai
Dong quai is also thought to help reduce the pain associated with endometriosis, especially when used in combination with chasteberry. When used in combination with black cohosh, chasteberry and ginseng, dong quai appears to be helpful in controlling the hot flashes associated with menopause.

In addition to these health benefits, dong quai is also a rich source of vitamin B12, and as such it is thought to play a role in stimulating the production of red blood cells in the body. Using dong quai in combination with other herbs is thought to provide mild dilation of blood vessels, which may lead to increased blood flow and increased pumping action from the heart. For this reason, traditional Chinese doctors have long prescribed dong quai for circulation problems and high blood pressure.

Dong quai comes in a variety of different forms, including a tincture, tablets, capsules, soft gels and liquid. In addition, dong quai is available from many herbal medicine stores and health food stores in dried herb form, which can be used to make a soothing tea.

What to look for
When shopping for dong quai in soft gels, tablets, or capsules, it is important to choose those brands that have been standardized to contain a liguistilide concentration of between 0.8% and 1.1%.

The preparation that seems to be most effective for menstrual cramps and other menstrual problems is taking 200 mg dong quai pills three times a day, or taking 30 drops (1.5 ml) of liquid dong quai three times daily.