Spice of the Month: Ginger

The Malays have an ancient saying: “Ginger a day, keeps the doctor away.” Okay, maybe it doesn’t quite go like that. But for centuries, ginger has been one of the superstars of traditional Malaysian medicine, an herb renowned for its aromatic smell and organic healing powers. But what exactly is it, and what can it do for you?

Here’s a quick rundown of the herb. But we’ve got the essentials covered below:

Basics: Ginger is a large tuberous perennial plant native to southern Asia, but is now cultivated extensively in almost all tropical and subtropical countries, especially China, India, Nigeria, Australia, Jamaica and Haiti. A natural spice, the common ginger herb root is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes, known worldwide for its smell and pungent taste.

Uses: Ginger is widely used as a spice, with its three main products being fresh ginger, dried whole or powdered ginger and preserved ginger. Fresh ginger is prepared from immature or mature rhizomes and is often grated or pressed into a fine paste or powder, sliced or mixed with other ingredients for a cumulative effect. To ensure you get the most out of fresh ginger, try wrapping it in plastic and refrigerating it for three weeks or storing it in your freezer for up to six months. Dried ginger lasts up to a year or longer in your cupboard when dried, while fresh ginger may last only a few weeks. High quality extracts of ginger can also be found in supplements; however, make sure to discuss any supplements with your doctor before taking them.

Health Benefits: Ginger is commonly used to treat a variety of stomach ailments, including motion sickness, morning sickness, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea, etc. In traditional medicine the leaves are eaten to treat stomachaches, while the pounded leaves are used as a poultice for headaches, according to Herbs of Malaysia. In Malaysia, the rhizome is also used to treat dyspepsia, nausea, joint pain and gas, according to Health and Beauty from the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan. Stocked with more than 12 types of antioxidant compounds, the herb also contains essential oils, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, vitamin C, and small amounts of vitamins B1 and B2.

Ginger, 3 Ways:

1. Mix it in soup. Although a variety of recipes with ginger abound, one of the most popular healthy options is a simple carrot ginger soup. Quick and easy recipe: Combine one bag of large carrots, two slices of fresh ginger root, and four cups of veggie broth. Cook until soft and add water as needed. Or, try Food Network’s version.

2. Concoct a homemade lotion. It’s common Malay practice to apply a lotion prepared from ginger, vinegar and coconut oil on scars, stretch marks and even post-partum effects to help restore stomach muscles to their pre-pregnancy state. Try mixing an equal part of each ingredient together for a soothing moisturizer with a pleasant aroma.

3. Spice up your tea. Peel and thinly slice one ginger root and sprinkle it solo or with some honey into your daily cup to ward off nausea, cramps and aid your digestive functions.

Got any other “healthful” ginger recipes or at-home remedies you’d like to share? Leave us a comment!

Tongkat Ali refresher on The Dr. Oz Show

Earlier this year, health expert Dr. Oz and Chris Kilham (The Medicine Hunter) discussed Tongkat Ali, the traditional Malaysian herb known to enhance sexual vitality and energy, on Dr. Oz's daily talk show (befittingly titled, well, The Dr. Oz Show). We posted the video link back in March, but we just couldn't resist bringing it back--Dr. Oz's savvy analysis and Chris's entertaining approach in summarizing the herb's benefits make this clip a must-see for anyone interested in herbal health. Check it out above.

If you're having troubles viewing the embedded video of The Dr. Oz Show segment above, you can also view it here.

Three Ways to Increase Your Manpower—Ramuan Style

The guys at Men’s Health recently discussed 5 Ways to Increase Your Manpower. We decided to give the topic a spin for our readers here at Living Ramuan. Studies show that a decline in testosterone levels not only increases your risk of prostate cancer and heart disease, but it could also affect your lifespan.

Here are three suggestions for keeping men’s testosterone levels up and sexual energy to the max:

1. Hit the Gym. Keeping fit is, of course, good for maintaining general health, but it’s also vital for maintaining high T-levels. The key is finding a good balance between regulating body mass and building muscle. Men’s Health reported that Finnish researchers recently found men who lifted weights regularly experienced a 49 percent increase in free testosterone levels. A 4-point boost in body mass index (about 30 extra pounds on a 5'10" guy) can accelerate age-related T decline by 10 years.

2. Supplement it. Consuming a daily well-balanced diet is key for staying on your A-game, but life’s grind can make it difficult on a day-to-day basis. Some vitamins and herbs naturally enhance male sexual health and vitality. You hear us talking a lot about Tongkat Ali, a pure, patented herbal extract that is found in TenagaXX, but other supplements such as vitamins C, A, E and B6 have also been known to help. Incorporating natural supplements into your health regimen is one easy way to build up healthy sexual energy levels and overall manpower.

3. Tone it down. Physical, mental or emotional stress can easily reduce your testosterone levels, and in turn, sexual prowess. Cortisol rises in stressful situations, which "suppresses the body's ability to make testosterone and utilize it within tissues," says David Zava, Ph.D., CEO of ZRT Laboratory (as quoted in Men’s Health). While cardio exercise can serve as a great stress reliever, other chill-out methods might include listening to your favorite band on your iPod, reading a book. cutting back on happy hours or getting a massage.

Do you have any other ways of keeping your manpower high that you’d like to share? We’d like to hear from you! Feel free to leave us a comment, shoot an e-mail or find us on Facebook.

Natural Products News: Consumers Interested in Supplements with Specific Benefits

Yesterday, Natural Foods Merchandiser released their latest industry update discussing a new global health study, which found that consumers are more interested in food and beverages than in vitamins and supplements for certain health benefits. However, the report also found that consumers are most interested in health supplements when there is an established connection between the product and the benefit—i.e. cancer prevention, better immunity, relaxation and hormonal balance. “The data suggests that consumers are most interested in health and wellness products in which there is already an established connection between the product and the benefits,” said Lauren Demar, CEO of Ipsos Marketing, Consumer Goods Sector.

What does this news mean for you, if you’re thinking about purchasing a Ramuan Health product?

One of Ramuan Health’s goals is to provide consumers with only the most effective, sustainably harvested plants and botanicals from the Malaysian rainforest. For example, our sexual vitality products, TenagaXX and Asmara, are not only specifically formulated for increased sexual health, vitality and hormonal balance—but also feature specific herbs that have been traditionally used for men (Tongkat Ali) and for women (Kacip Fatimah). Likewise, our Detox products follow the same path. Two herbs found in our Women’s Detox product, ginger and papaya, have been traditionally used for centuries in helping enhance digestive health. While phyllanthus and ginger are traditional herbs used for cleansing, digestive and liver health—two ingredients found in our Men’s Detox product.

With so many health supplement options on the shelves these days, finding quality information can be challenging. Don’t be afraid to ask your retailer or doctor questions about the herbs or botanicals in the products you choose. We are also here to provide you with as much information as possible. Feel free to email us privately at biotropics@gmail.com or join us on Facebook.