Latin (botanical) name: Zingiber officinale

Common names: Jamaica Ginger, African Ginger, Black Ginger, Race Ginger, Snakeroot, Canadian Wild Ginger, Ginger Root, Indian Ginger, False Coltsfoot

Plant Description: Ginger is a creeping perennial plant native to North American. It can be found growing in the woodlands of Kansas, North Carlina, and Tenessee. It prefers rich, moist, neutral to acid soils, and shade. It is also native to tropical Asia and cultivated in the West Indies, Africa and India. The aromatic, knotty rootstock is thick and fibrous, and white or cream-colored. It produces a simple, leafy stem with large heart or kidney-shaped leaves. The leaves, opposite in pairs, are dark green and fuzzy or hairy. They can be 8-10 inches long. The flowers form a bowl shape, and the petals, white with large streaks of maroon or burgundy, grow in spikes. Ginger blooms from March to May. The root is a long underground stem, or rhizome, light green and tender. When crushed it has a strong antiseptic smell.

Use: Make a tea by pouring approximately 2 cups of boiling water over 2 heaped tsp of herb. Let steep for 3-5 minutes. In general, sip a cup before breakfast, and another 2 hours after dinner.

Cautions & Interactions: Do not use during pregnancy. Keep out of reach of children.