Ginger, one of the main spices used in curries, is made from the rhizome of the Zingiber officinale plant. Its volatile oils, such as gingerols, are responsible for its strong taste.
Ginger was originally cultivated in South-East Asia and exported to ancient Rome from India. Arabic and Indian cultures along with traditional Chinese medicine have used ginger for over 2,500 years. Its active antiseptic ingredients, terpenes and ginger oil, warm the body, promote perspiration, cleanse the lymph, and stimulate the circulation. It also enhances the body’s use of serotonin. With its anti-inflammatory properties ginger increases circulation, lowers cholesterol, and thins the blood in much the same way as does garlic. Ginger is widely used as remedy for nausea, motion sickness, indigestion, IBS, bloating, and flatulence, to name a few. Ginger makes swallowing easier by stimulating saliva production and benefits digestion. Ginger is a powerful free radical scavenger/antioxidant. New research indicates that ginger even fuels apoptosis (death of cancer cells). Fresh ginger’s strong antibacterial properties makes it the most effective natural remedy for food poisoning.
Curry Powder is native to South Asian cuisine. It contains a blend of spices, seeds, and sometimes herbs with a pungent flavor and golden color. Its ingredients can consist of coriander, turmeric, mustard, cumin, fenugreek, paprika, cayenne, cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, curry leaves, fennel seeds, garlic, chili pepper, and black pepper. The exact ingredients and formulas depend on the region where it comes from. Some of the well known recipes include Garam Masala Curry Powder, Madras Curry Powder, and Tandoori Masala Curry Powder. They can be mild, medium, or hot.
Curry Powder is rich in nutrients; and the immune system thrives upon vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other important nutrients found in most curry powder blends.
Curry Powder contains powerful antioxidants such as curcumin, quercetin, pinene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cuminal (a constituent of cumin essential oil). 6-12 grams of curry powder significantly reduced allantoin, which is a marker of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is related to heart disease, cancer, and mental and cognitive decline.