The root or rhizome of Zingiber officinale, a plant commonly known as ginger, has been acclaimed for its medicinal benefits since ancient times. Native to southern China, ginger was imported early on to India, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and the Caribbean. Consequently, ginger root is used worldwide in various herbal traditions. It's primarily used to prevent and relieve nausea, indigestion, heart rhythm irregularities, inflammation and pain. In patients with autoimmune disease, ginger is widely used to reduce arthritic symptoms, inflammation related to ulcerative colitis, and digestive disturbances. Ginger is also reported to lower cholesterol levels, inhibit replication of herpes simplex virus, and help prevent the formation of blood clots.
Recent studies show that ginger has strong antioxidant properties. In addition, ginger reduces inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis, specifically cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. These effects make ginger comparable to those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications although ginger does not cause the side effects characteristic of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Ginger also suppresses the immune system's production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, reducing disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
http://autoimmunedisease.suite...isease#ixzz0eTf7cE2H
I have quite a bit of ginger tea and I really enjoy it.