{"id":18322,"date":"2019-05-01T01:10:10","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T06:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=21236"},"modified":"2019-04-29T17:13:42","modified_gmt":"2019-04-29T22:13:42","slug":"notes-from-the-apothecary-51","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2019\/05\/01\/notes-from-the-apothecary-51\/","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Apothecary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Notes\nfrom the Apothecary: Ginger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The\nspice we call ginger is the root of Zingiber officinale.<\/em> The\nname derives from the Sanskrit for \u2018Horn Body\u2019, referring to the\nknobbly, ridged shape and texture of the roots. Originating from\nAsia, ginger is now found all over the world and is used widely in\ncooking, magic, and medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ginger\nwas brought to America by Francisco de Mendosa, and it grew so\nprolifically that the Spanish-Americans were able to export it in\nhuge amounts to Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nKitchen Garden<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh\nginger is usually bought as sections of root. It\u2019s a testament to\nhow hardy the plant is that with very little encouragement, it will\nstart growing! Many times I have gone to fetch the ginger only to\nfind there are little shoots of green ginger coming off the root.\nWith this in mind, if you wanted to cultivate your own ginger plant,\nit\u2019s not too difficult at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wik<\/a>iHow<\/a> has a step by step guide to growing ginger which is very easy to follow. Ginger is normally grown indoors. Basically, you get as the same number of pieces of ginger root (or rhizome, to give it the correct name) as the number of plants you want. Each \u2018eye\u2019 or sprouting piece will grow into a new shoot, in good quality, well-drained potting compost. Avoid frost, try not to shock the roots, and you will have little ginger plants in very little time at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what do we use ginger for in the kitchen? So many things! Ground ginger is used in baking cakes, buns, muffins, breads, and even savory bakes. The fresh root is sliced or grated and added to curries, often alongside lots of garlic. Marinating meat in a combination of garlic and ginger is delicious. Add red wine vinegar and you are part way to a vindaloo. Ginger is used in a wide variety of Asian cooking. We particularly enjoy thin but wide slices of ginger in a vegetable stir fry with fragrant rice or noodles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nApothecary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mrs Grieve tells us that ginger is a stimulant- unsurprising given its \u2018zingy\u2019 flavour and aroma. She recommends it for alcoholic gastritis (an unusually specific condition) and for aiding in diarrhea and flatulent colic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although\nginger is warming, it has anti-inflammatory properties and can settle\nan upset stomach. Pregnant women often take ginger biscuits to ease\nmorning sickness. I found them useful in both my pregnancies,\nespecially when I was finding it difficult to keep anything more\nsubstantial down. It may also aid in travel sickness and motion\nsickness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ginger\nis used in Ayurvedic medicine for eating disorders, cholera, and\nliver problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nChinese medicine ginger is a respiratory aid and useful for coughs,\ncolds and flu. It\u2019s also used as a hangover \u2018cure\u2019, thanks to\nits reputation for expelling poisons from the body. As always, check\nwith a doctor before taking any substance for medical reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nWitch\u2019s Kitchen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nHoodoo, ginger is sometimes combined with John the Conqueror root and\nnutmeg to create a luck powder for gamblers. Sprinkling ginger around\nthe garden or yard protects from trouble. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ginger,\nprobably due to its \u2018hot\u2019 nature, is associated with love and\npassion, and is often used in attraction or lust spells. Cunningham\nrecommends using ginger in a love incense, alongside lemon balm,\ncardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla. A spell or mojo bag designed to\nattract something to you, whether that be love or wealth, can be\nenhanced with a bit of ginger root. Ginger can also accelerate the\naction of other spells, acting like a catalyst for magical action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cunningham\u2019s\nEncyclopaedia of Magical Herbs states that ginger is a fire plant (no\nsurprises there), masculine, and associated with Mars. This\nimmediately gives associations with power, control, and confidence.\nHe suggests eating ginger before performing magic to boost the power\nof spells. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home\nand Hearth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sometime\nthe greatest magic is taking time for yourself and keeping yourself\nhealthy. Modern, busy lives often make this very difficult! I know I\ncertainly relish every spare (rare!) moment I can get to simply pause\nand do nothing for a while. Here\u2019s a recipe for a ginger tea that\nwill help you relax, while stimulating and opening your senses for a\nmoment of mindfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n