OK. OK. I’ve already lost some of you with the word ‘ginger’ — I know. I find ginger to be a lot like cilantro, either you love it or you really, really hate it. But I’m here to tell you that you should LOVE it, and IT will love you back!

Ginger has been used in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for over 4,000 years to cure and treat a variety of conditions. Gingerol – the active oils found in ginger root, are clinically proven to be extremely powerful anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti fungal in nature. Here are some of the scientifically supported health benefits of ginger root:

• Heart Health: this delicious root has anti-blood clothing properties and can aid in preventing strokes
• Nausea: helps to calm smooth muscle tissue which includes your stomach and intestine, having a settling effect on the stomach
• Boosts Immunity: known to help cleanse the lymphatic system (our bodies garbage can) ginger helps to remove toxins from the system, allowing the immune system to have better function
• Antibacterial & Anti-Viral: oils contain powerful antimicrobial properties, which can be ingested for bacterial/viral/fungal infections — or can be used topically to treat inflammation, hyper pigmentation and redness.

There are a number of different ways that you can look to get more ginger in your diet! Essential oils are great to be used in diffusers, for inhalation, or to be mixed into a little water to be ingested. If you really hate the taste, I recommend mixing 10 drops in 3oz of water, and taking it back quickly. For the faint of heart, you can also take it in supplement form. If your on the ginger train, mince or grate or juice that stuff and put it in everything! Get creative and try some new recipes for:

• salad dressings
• tinctures
• smoothies
• soups
• teas
• And my personal favourite, The Chimes Ginger Mango chews

Try this simple tea for an easy, delicious way to get more ginger!

EASY PEASY LEMON GINGER TEA

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp of peeled and grated ginger root
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp honey
• optional add in benefits: a sprinkle of cinnamon, tumeric or mint

Directions: Put all ingredients in your mug, cover with hot water, steep for 5 minutes and enjoy!

AMBER MCKENNA

REGISTERED HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST R.H.N

519.497.8815

Amber is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Since graduating, Amber has sought extensive training in homeopathics, botanicals, supplementation and a wide variety of holistic modalities. Using science-based nutrition and symptomatology, she is able to help clients to better understand their individual needs, identify their goals and in turn, live their most balanced, vibrant lives. Her foundation is to educate clients and to help them create and maintain long-term, healthy lifestyle choices. Amber has propelled her interest in the concept of living well into a passion for education, cooking, and exploring the holistic side of life.

Holistic or holism is defined as: the theory that parts of a whole are in intimate connection, such that they cannot exist independently of the whole or cannot be understood without reference to the whole, which is thus regarded as greater than the sum of its parts. Holism is often applied to mental states, language, and ecology