A native of Asia, ginger has long been used to treat stomach aches, nausea and diarrhea. It is often used to relieve nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy and motion sickness. Some believe that it has anti-inflammatory properties and recommend it for arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint and muscle pain. It is available in tablets, capsules, tinctures, tea, candies, and crystallized ginger. Though ginger ale, ginger beer and ginger snaps contain some ginger, they do not have enough to have a therapeutic effect.
As a food ginger can be bought fresh, dried, pickled, preserved or candied. Asian grocery stores sell young fresh ginger, which has a pale, thin skin that does not need to be peeled. Supermarkets usually sell mature or raw ginger with a tough outer skin that needs to be peeled.
