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Ginger is one of my all time favorite herbs and I love to make these Candied Ginger Chews to have on hand! Ginger has helped me through morning sickness and colds. Plus it just tastes good and you can’t say that about all herbs. In fact I love it so much I named my dog Ginger!
Benefits of Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is such a powerful and versatile herb that can be used for so many different conditions.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Ginger contains bioactive compounds like gingerol that have potent anti-inflammatory effects. It can help reduce inflammation in the body, which may be beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Digestive Aid: Ginger has long been used as a remedy for digestive issues. It can help alleviate nausea, reduce motion sickness, and ease stomach discomfort. Ginger tea or ginger chews are commonly used for digestive relief.
Nausea Relief: Ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties. It’s often recommended for pregnant women experiencing morning sickness and for individuals undergoing chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Pain Reduction: Ginger may help reduce muscle pain and soreness due to its anti-inflammatory effects. It can be beneficial for athletes and individuals with exercise-related discomfort.
Lowering Blood Sugar: Some studies suggest that ginger may help lower blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. This can be particularly important for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular Health: Ginger may have a positive impact on heart health. It can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease by improving cholesterol levels.
Antioxidant Effects: Ginger is rich in antioxidants, which combat free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. This may reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote overall well-being.
Immune System Support: The immune-boosting properties of ginger may help the body fight off infections. It’s often used as a natural remedy for colds and flu.
Menstrual Pain Relief: Some women find that ginger can alleviate menstrual pain and reduce the severity of cramps.
Weight Management: Ginger’s potential to increase feelings of fullness and reduce calorie intake may be helpful for weight management.
Cognitive Health: Emerging research suggests that ginger may have neuroprotective properties that can benefit cognitive health and protect against age-related cognitive decline.
Skin Benefits: Topical use of ginger may help improve skin health by reducing inflammation and promoting even skin tone.
Respiratory Health: Ginger can help relieve respiratory conditions like congestion and coughs. It’s commonly used in herbal teas to soothe these symptoms.
Aid in Cancer Prevention: Ginger’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may play a role in cancer prevention and treatment. In this study on gastric cancers they found that Ginger can induce apoptosis (cancer cell death) in vitro.
How to Make Ginger Candy Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup fresh Ginger root
1/2 cup pure cane sugar (try monkfruit for a sugar alternative!) plus more for coating
2 cups water for boiling
Directions
Step 1: Peel ginger and slice into small pieces (1/8″).
Step 2: Bring sugar and water to a boil and continue to boil until sugar is dissolved.
Step 3: Add sliced ginger into saucepan and simmer on low until tender (about 30 minutes).
Step 4: Transfer ginger to a wired rack and let dry a little.
Step 5: Pour 1/4 cup sugar into a bowl and toss ginger in sugar.
Step 6: Lay ginger out in a parchment lined baking sheet to cool. Store in airtight container for up to a month or up to 3 months in refrigerator.
Enjoy these homemade Candied Ginger Chews when nausea hits, as a co*cktail garnish, to flavor your tea, in trail mix or whenever you want a little treat!
Melissa Vines is founder and content creator of Along The Meadow. She has training in herbalism and aromatherapy with a background in the skincare industry as an Aesthetician. A passion for nontoxic skincare and wellness has propelled her into a life long pursuit of helping others live a more natural lifestyle as well. Her most important role however is being a wife and mom to 3 amazing kids. Read More…
To make the candied ginger, you can store the ginger in the syrup OR you can remove the ginger from the syrup to let it “dry” but still sticky to the touch. To make crystallized ginger, you take these “dried out” candied ginger and coat them in sugar.
Typically, consuming 1 to 2 ginger chews at a time, up to a maximum of 4 to 6 chews per day, is considered a reasonable amount. However, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist for personalized advice based on your specific needs.
Crystallized ginger has been proven to reduce inflammation and also relieve you of any pain stemming from the inflammation. There have been studies conducted that show crystal ginger helps to reduce inflammation in arthritis patients as effectively as other anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and cortisone.
Other side effects of crystallized ginger — and sugary foods in general — include a greater risk of cavities, metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Ginger itself is considered safe. However, it may cause bloating and heartburn in some individuals, warns the University of Rochester.
Candied ginger retains its medicinal and nutritional value, although it should be consumed in moderation given the amount of sugar. One piece of candied ginger can have 3 to 5 grams of sugar and about 20 calories.
No, commercially packaged crystallized ginger does not spoil, but it will start to lose potency over time and not flavor food as intended – the storage time shown is for best quality only.
Eating ginger can cut down on fermentation, constipation and other causes of bloating and intestinal gas. Wear and tear on cells. Ginger contains antioxidants. These molecules help manage free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells when their numbers grow too high.
It is rare to have side effects from ginger. In high doses it may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth. You may be able to avoid some of the mild stomach side effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset, by taking ginger supplements in capsules or taking ginger with meals.
Interactions. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using ginger supplements. They could interact with blood thinners and medications for diabetes and high blood pressure.
Ginger might lower blood pressure. Taking ginger along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Crystallized ginger has a bold, invigorating flavor which can be used as an ingredient in a variety of sweet and spicy food products, or eaten as a snack by itself. It pairs well with many flavors, including citrus, turmeric, garlic, nuts, berries, and chocolate.
Ginger also decreases inflammation, stimulates digestion, and suppresses your appetite. These properties lead some people to believe that ginger may promote weight loss. The medical literature indicates that ginger can work along with a healthy diet and exercise to help you reach a healthy weight.
Over 60 drug interactions are reported with ginger, and may include anticoagulants like warfarin, aspirin, or other blood thinners and pain medicines like morphine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Fortunately, ginger is a food that has all the elements needed to prevent and treat liver problems. Experts suggest that ginger supplementation represents a new treatment strategy for NAFLD by improving the body's antioxidant activity, reducing inflammation and insulin resistance.
Consuming foods and drinks with antioxidants, like ginger water, can help prevent and fight the negative side effects of ROS. One study found that that ginger could prevent or slow down kidney failure.
It is fresh ginger that has been cooked in sugar water and rolled in sugar. If you have a recipe that calls for this ingredient, you can substitute 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger for every tablespoon of crystallized ginger.
That said, opinions are mixed on the quality, softness, and value. Customers like the taste of the candied ginger. They say it has a great flavor, is slightly sweet, and chewy without being overly sweet. Some customers also like the sharp bite of ginger in the candified ginger.
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Melissa Vines is founder and content creator of Along The Meadow. She has training in herbalism and aromatherapy with a background in the skincare industry as an Aesthetician. A passion for nontoxic skincare and wellness has propelled her into a life long pursuit of helping others live a more natural lifestyle as well. Her most important role however is being a wife and mom to 3 amazing kids. Read More…