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Ginger is one of my all time favorite herbs and I love to make these Candied Ginger Chews to have on hand! Ginger has helped me through morning sickness and colds. Plus it just tastes good and you can’t say that about all herbs. In fact I love it so much I named my dog Ginger!
Benefits of Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is such a powerful and versatile herb that can be used for so many different conditions.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Ginger contains bioactive compounds like gingerol that have potent anti-inflammatory effects. It can help reduce inflammation in the body, which may be beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Digestive Aid: Ginger has long been used as a remedy for digestive issues. It can help alleviate nausea, reduce motion sickness, and ease stomach discomfort. Ginger tea or ginger chews are commonly used for digestive relief.
Nausea Relief: Ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties. It’s often recommended for pregnant women experiencing morning sickness and for individuals undergoing chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Pain Reduction: Ginger may help reduce muscle pain and soreness due to its anti-inflammatory effects. It can be beneficial for athletes and individuals with exercise-related discomfort.
Lowering Blood Sugar: Some studies suggest that ginger may help lower blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. This can be particularly important for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular Health: Ginger may have a positive impact on heart health. It can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease by improving cholesterol levels.
Antioxidant Effects: Ginger is rich in antioxidants, which combat free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. This may reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote overall well-being.
Immune System Support: The immune-boosting properties of ginger may help the body fight off infections. It’s often used as a natural remedy for colds and flu.
Menstrual Pain Relief: Some women find that ginger can alleviate menstrual pain and reduce the severity of cramps.
Weight Management: Ginger’s potential to increase feelings of fullness and reduce calorie intake may be helpful for weight management.
Cognitive Health: Emerging research suggests that ginger may have neuroprotective properties that can benefit cognitive health and protect against age-related cognitive decline.
Skin Benefits: Topical use of ginger may help improve skin health by reducing inflammation and promoting even skin tone.
Respiratory Health: Ginger can help relieve respiratory conditions like congestion and coughs. It’s commonly used in herbal teas to soothe these symptoms.
Aid in Cancer Prevention: Ginger’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may play a role in cancer prevention and treatment. In this study on gastric cancers they found that Ginger can induce apoptosis (cancer cell death) in vitro.
How to Make Ginger Candy Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup fresh Ginger root
1/2 cup pure cane sugar (try monkfruit for a sugar alternative!) plus more for coating
2 cups water for boiling
Directions
Step 1: Peel ginger and slice into small pieces (1/8″).
Step 2: Bring sugar and water to a boil and continue to boil until sugar is dissolved.
Step 3: Add sliced ginger into saucepan and simmer on low until tender (about 30 minutes).
Step 4: Transfer ginger to a wired rack and let dry a little.
Step 5: Pour 1/4 cup sugar into a bowl and toss ginger in sugar.
Step 6: Lay ginger out in a parchment lined baking sheet to cool. Store in airtight container for up to a month or up to 3 months in refrigerator.
Enjoy these homemade Candied Ginger Chews when nausea hits, as a co*cktail garnish, to flavor your tea, in trail mix or whenever you want a little treat!
Melissa Vines is founder and content creator of Along The Meadow. She has training in herbalism and aromatherapy with a background in the skincare industry as an Aesthetician. A passion for nontoxic skincare and wellness has propelled her into a life long pursuit of helping others live a more natural lifestyle as well. Her most important role however is being a wife and mom to 3 amazing kids. Read More…
If you're a woman, try not to exceed 25 grams. Just one serving of crystallized ginger contains 30 grams of sugars, which is higher than the recommended maximum daily intake for women. As Harvard Health Publishing notes, excess sugar consumption may put you at risk for diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems.
Candied ginger retains its medicinal and nutritional value, although it should be consumed in moderation given the amount of sugar. One piece of candied ginger can have 3 to 5 grams of sugar and about 20 calories.
Iron is essential in our bodies as it helps increase blood count. Candied ginger is rich in this vital mineral. Iron is also great in helping your body cells produce energy and it is also an essential aspect of boosting your immunity.
Pour the ginger out on to a sheet pan and let cool completely. Remove any excess sugar and save that for tea or baking. Let the crystalized ginger cool completely and toss in granulated sugar.
Blood-thinning medications: Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Diabetes medications: Ginger may lower blood sugar.
How much ginger should you take daily? Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.
Consuming foods and drinks with antioxidants, like ginger water, can help prevent and fight the negative side effects of ROS. One study found that that ginger could prevent or slow down kidney failure.
Fortunately, ginger is a food that has all the elements needed to prevent and treat liver problems. Experts suggest that ginger supplementation represents a new treatment strategy for NAFLD by improving the body's antioxidant activity, reducing inflammation and insulin resistance.
The terms “candied” and “crystallized” are typically used interchangeably. If a distinction is made, the term candied refers to ginger stored in the simple syrup and crystallized ginger means the version cooked in the sweet syrup and rolled in sugar which is the one you are buying now.
"Ayurvedically dry ginger is considered better than fresh ginger. Dry ginger is better for gas, bloating compared to fresh ginger. Fresh ginger increases Vata while dried ginger balances Vata. Hence chewing fresh ginger or drinking fresh ginger tea for gas, bloating is not a great idea.
Ginger might lower blood pressure. Taking ginger along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Ginger has a very low glycemic index (GI), which means it breaks down slowly into glucose and doesn't trigger a spike in blood sugar like high GI foods. Read more about the glycemic index. Studies have shown that ginger can reduce blood sugar levels and help regulate insulin in people with diabetes.
In addition to supporting kidney function, crystallized ginger has other potential healing properties. For example, some research suggests it helps with digestive issues such as nausea and vomiting. Chewing on ginger works to reduce nausea is a well-known cure for chemotherapy patients.
Crystallized ginger can be incorporated into your diet in many ways. The simplest way to begin enjoying the health benefits of candied ginger is to eat a few slices each day. The slightly sweet, tangy and peppery flavor of crystallized ginger makes it a tasty, healthy snack.
If your provider tells you it is ok to add ginger to your diet, you should not eat more than 4 grams (1 tablespoon) of raw ginger per day or 2 teaspoons of powdered ginger per day. More details are listed in the chart below. You should try to buy things that are made with real ginger.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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Melissa Vines is founder and content creator of Along The Meadow. She has training in herbalism and aromatherapy with a background in the skincare industry as an Aesthetician. A passion for nontoxic skincare and wellness has propelled her into a life long pursuit of helping others live a more natural lifestyle as well. Her most important role however is being a wife and mom to 3 amazing kids. Read More…