FRESH & IN SEASON

Ginger

Beyond ginger ale—the soothing secrets of ginger.

Mom gave you ginger ale to settle an uneasy stomach, but she wasn’t the first to discover the soothing secrets of ginger.

Ginger

Chinese sailors noshed on it to stop seasickness. Ancient Greeks ate it wrapped in bread to quell nausea after a feast. Now, an increasing number of studies back ginger’s role in easing queasiness—particularly in pregnant women with morning sickness. Researchers are also investigating whether ginger may help relieve nausea caused by chemotherapy. Scientists believe that compounds in ginger, called gingerols, inhibit serotonin receptors in the digestive and nervous systems. (Increased serotonin levels in the brain have been associated with nausea.) Ginger also is known to stimulate appetite. Makes sense: if it makes you feel better, you may be up for eating again. Or maybe it’s more that dishes seasoned with ginger—in its peppery fresh form or as spicy ground powder—are simply irresistible.