By Jashayla Burnett

Zingiber officiale, commonly known as ginger, is from the family.  It’s mistaken to be a root but it’s actually a rhizome. Whether it’s in a supplement, elixir, food, drinks, or candy there are many uses for this amazing plant. This herbaceous beauty is very fragrant and known for its culinary and medicinal qualities. It can be used in immunity shots, a relaxing tea, a stir fry, even cookies. Many have also used this spice to aid in recovering from the common cold, flu, digestive issues, nausea, lower cholesterol and alleviate menstrual pains. It’s high in antioxidants due to a natural component called gingerol which works wonders for the body against oxidative stress.

A little about growing this aromatic beauty. Ginger can be grown from seed or simply by placing a cutting of it in the ground from a 1-2-inch piece of the rhizome itself. The best time to plant is early spring after the last frost. If you choose to grow from a cutting be sure to let the cut end fully dry. This plant loves to be in areas where it can get plenty of warmth and some shade. As it grows you will notice it is very fragrant. It has a rather long growing season so after about 10 months your ginger plants should be ready to harvest.

The first experience I can remember tasting ginger was trying ginger snap cookies as a kid. As I grew older and started my “better in, better out” health journey I was reacquainted with this amazing plant and learned even more about all its wonderful properties. So, you bet when Covid-19 had come along I was ready. I would always prepare or buy a ginger shot with apple and cayenne to help give my immune system an extra boost. On my health journey when I buckle down and attempt to lose weight, specifically belly fat, I have ginger tea with a kick of cayenne to help curb my appetite. By far this plant is one of my favorites due to all the ways I can use it and its many benefits. If you love ginger like I do you’re going to love this delicious tea recipe.

To make the most delicious ginger tea start by bringing four cups of water to a boil. Next, peel about a thumb of ginger. Grab some dill, cayenne pepper, agave syrup and a lime while you’re at it. Add the ginger with about one or two sprigs of dill to your water and let it boil for five minutes. Remove from heat then spoon out ginger and dill. Squeeze in two tablespoons of lime juice, sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper and then spoon in agave to taste. Enjoy this in your favorite mug, nice and hot, or wait and have a chilled glass, either way you’re in for a treat!

Jashayla Burnett, an intern in the 2023 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a Master Gardener, visit  www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymag@gmail.com