Dear Sue:

I suffer from headaches and was told ginger may help. I currently take anticoagulants full-time and get no headache relief from Tylenol, the only over-the-counter medicine I am allowed. Will ginger work? Does it relieve other types of pain too? Thanks,
-- Carol

Dear Carol:

For centuries, ginger has been used as a remedy for multiple health problems. Today many people use it, not only to thwart and prevent migraines, but also to help relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis (thanks to its anti-inflammatory qualities). It is used to treat nausea, stomach aches, chest congestion and motion sickness. In laboratory tests it has shown antibacterial effects, and in animal tests it acts as an anti-ulcer agent. It also shows strong anti-cancer activity. That's a lot of good stuff for one spice!

Enjoy ginger's benefits in a multitude of ways. You can take it straight, 1/3 teaspoon at a time, two or three times a day without side effects. Better yet, enjoy it in ginger tea, ginger cookies, muffins, and cake. Use fresh ginger for cooking and stir-fries.

Try these great ginger recipes and enjoy!

• Ginger Citrus Rice
• Ginger Squares
• Ginger Turkey Stir-Fry
• Gingered Pork and Peaches
• Banana Ginger Brulées

Sincerely,
Sue Gilbert