Ginger: it’s delicious. It’s healthy. It’s medicinal.
At Good Wolf, we just can’t get enough of ginger’s distinct, fresh, and spicy flavor…especially because we know it’s pulling double-duty, working hard in both the flavor and health departments.
That’s why ginger is the star of one of our Probiotic Refreshers!
We use organic ginger juice and organic ginger powder to add the perfect zing to our Ginger Yuzu Probiotic Refresher. In each can of Ginger Yuzu, ginger’s supporting cast of flavors includes:
- A healthy dose of yuzu juice (yuzu’s a citrus that’s like a tasty cross between a lemon and a mandarin)
- A touch of organic cayenne pepper
- A splash of organic apple cider vinegar
We combine these ingredients with our base of organic Pacific Northwest apple juice that’s fermented with live active cultures to make a ginger drink that’s fresh and delicious – crafted with your health in mind.
Just like all of our Probiotic Refreshers, a 12-ounce can of Ginger Yuzu has at least two billion CFU probiotics. All those probiotics support your gut health, …and a happy gut can mean a healthier you!
What’s the big deal with ginger?
Ginger’s a really powerful root. Whether you consume it through eating or drinking, it has a long list of medicinal benefits. And the fact that it’s great for you and tastes amazing? Well, what’s not to love?!
What is ginger?
It’s called Zingiber Officinale if we’re being scientific. But, we’re on a first name basis with this root, so we’ll stick with ginger.
Ginger is part of the Zingiberaceae family and is a flowering plant. When you think of ginger, you probably think of the root – but, the ginger flower itself is impressive.
With blossoms that can be deep golden yellow, rich orange, vibrant red, or bright fuschia, ginger blossoms are dramatic and beautiful.
What most people refer to as the ginger root is actually the ginger rhizome. A rhizome is a stem that grows horizontally under the ground. (1) This is the part of the plant people use for food and medicine.
A ginger rhizome is easy to pick out of a lineup because of its knobby look and tan skin. Inside, the flesh is pale yellow and fibrous.
Where is it from?
Ginger grows in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, but is native to Southeast Asia.
The top-producers of commercially-sold ginger are India and Nigeria. (2)
Within North America, home gardeners can grow ginger outdoors with decent success in warmer climates that don’t have freezing temps in the winter. Indoor cultivation is an option, too.
What are the benefits of ginger?
Ginger has been important across many cultures and regions around the world.
It has a long history as both a culinary ingredient and a medicinal plant -. aAnd by long, we mean like thousands-of-years-long!
Besides having a flavor that makes for killer curries, stupendous stir fries, and tantalizing teas, its list of health benefits are top-notch.
Check out this impressive list (2):
- Digestion: Ginger is often used to calm upset stomachs, promote healthy digestion, and relieve nausea. It can be helpful to reduce the symptoms that come along with morning sickness during pregnancy, nausea from chemotherapy, and motion sickness.
- Anti-inflammatory: Ginger can be helpful to reduce symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatism. It can also help ease general inflammation, and swelling.
- Pain Relief: Because it can help decrease inflammation, ginger can also be useful in reducing muscle pain and soreness.
- Antioxidant: Ginger is a source of antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress. Nobody wants extra oxidative stress in their body because it can damage DNA, cells, and proteins in your body. This can lead to developing degenerative and chronic diseases.
In addition to the conditions listed above,, many cultures have relied on ginger to support the treatment of a variety of ailments like colds, migraines, and hypertension for millenia..
It’s a long-trusted herbal remedy and therapeutic plant.
And now, in recent years, a long list of scientific studies have confirmed that ancient wisdom. (2)
So, we say: more ginger!
What are some of the best ways to use ginger?
With a bunch of great options to incorporate more ginger into your daily routine, it’s easy to reap the plant’s amazing benefits.
- If you love the spicy warmth and hint of citrus that comes with fresh ginger, peel then grate it and add it to soups, sauces, and stir-fries.
- Be sure to keep a jar of ground ginger in your pantry for baking, making spice mixes, and rubs for meat.
- If you have a supplement routine, it’s easy to add in a ginger capsule or extract for super convenient access to ginger’s medicinal properties. (Be sure to check with your medical provider before starting any new supplements.)
- Keep fresh ginger in your refrigerator to make a simple ginger drink: a tea to soothe upset stomachs. Just slice the ginger thinly and steep it in hot water. (Adding a little raw, local honey is a great addition to ginger tea!)
Of course, our very favorite way to up our ginger intake is to stay stocked up on Good Wolf Ginger Yuzu Probiotic Refreshers…the perfect ginger drink!
Batch-fermenting crazy-delicious, totally healthy drinks for you and your family is our jam!
We use fresh, real, whole ingredients. Our Probiotic Refreshers have no added sugar, caffeine, or artificial ingredients of any kind because we know you are what you drink!
I need some Ginger Yuzu Probiotic Refreshers in my life!
Author: Molly Brumfield