by Dave Franklin

Created on: May 31, 2009

Ginger is a tropical perennial that grows from a tuberous root, flowering each year with a single yellow or purple flower atop a spray of pointed lance shape thin leaves. Ginger grows well outdoors in warm climes if well watered and shaded, but in cooler European countries is best grown indoors in a large pot on the kitchen window. Ginger is grown from a root with a shoot developing from each on the eyes on the bulb, meaning that one root can be cut into a number of potential growths and planted separately. Although best results are from fresh and young root bulbs bought at a nursery or a special market, reasonable results can be obtained from supermarket bought roots. These roots sold for culinary use are neither young nor fresh and will yield smaller plants, but will still result in a useful plant. Whilst a greenhouse is best for these warmth loving plants, I have found that a well lit window sill above a radiator will work as well. The first root I planted I was ready to write off as a failure, as after weeks of waiting no signs of growth were visible until the central heating kicked in around October and then there was no stopping the plant, and soon I had a very lovely Ginger plant in the kitchen window.

An old Indian proverb says that "Every good quality is contained in Ginger" and that's not an over exaggeration as this fleshy and aromatic root has been used in cooking and healing since the dawn of time. Most of its early associations have been borne out by more recent scientific research and a few more uses have been added along the way. Ancient Indians shunned garlic and onions before religious celebrations on account of the strong smell offending the deities but continued to eat the sweet smelling Ginger. To them it was associated with aiding digestive problems as well as being useful as a food preservative. Ginger featured highly in China's first great herbal the Pen Tsao Ching (Classic of Herbs) compiled by the legendary sage/emperor Shen Nung around 3000BC. Shen Nung is renowned for testing his herbal concoctions on himself and consequently died whilst researching a plant that turned out to be poisonous. His recommendations were in Ginger's use against colds, fevers, chills and even leprosy. He also echoed the Indian practice of using the herb to eliminate body odour and also to b put people in touch with the spiritual world. Chinese sailors chewed the root prevent sea sickness and their physicians prescribed it to treat arthritis and kidney

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