Ginger is a staple to the countryside of Leyte, PH.
Before garlic and onions were widely (imported and) used in traditional cooking, ginger has been part of our culinary history.
Planting Ginger
Ginger is widely available in the markets, but it isn't uncommon for farmers to plant their own.
Ginger doesn't need much attention, just bury it in the soil and in less than a year you can start harvesting its rhizomes.
It's a staple on thin soups, coconut-based soups, and fish stews.
Ginger and alongside Lemongrass has been used to complement, if not removing, the earthiness and fishiness of local ingredients.
Beverage / Treatment
While it's popular as a food ingredient in our area, it isn't often used for beverages unlike in other regions.
Ginger's health benefits is also widely researched.
Ginger has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of numerous ailments, such as colds, nausea, arthritis, migraines, and hypertension.
Ginger is drinked for its health benefits. For years, Salabat or ginger instant powders has managed to join the market with its sweet and sugary mix—I tried it once and didn't use it again.
At home, I prefer making it using fresh ginger from the farm. Fresh ginger is plump and is bright, stored ginger will shrivel and will become matte brown in color.
Recipe
When feeling unwell, especially when having colds and flu, I make my own hot ginger infusion (no sugar) at home.
Ginger can alleviate nausea and has antimicrobial properties to kill germs that are causing sickness.
- Wash the ginger root (rhizomes) properly and rinse.
- Chop it roughly (don't peel) into about 1 cm in width.
- Put into your favorite cup or mug.
- Pour in boiling water and steep for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove ginger, I prefer not to.
- Let it cool down to body temperature
- Drink it daily
For stronger concoction, boil one (1) large ginger cut into pieces) for 3-5 minutes in 2 cups of water and cool down into body temperature.
Add lemon and honey if desired.
Reminders
Of course, you can and you should go to a doctor to check on your health, but let's not underestinate the heritage of traditional medicine that has been used by the previous generations.
When in doubt, don't self medicate, visit your doctor.
Fever caused by infections usually lasts 2-5 days and will subside naturally. It is a natural bodily reaction to fight (and burn) the germs.
Colds and flu generally lasts about a week if treated promptly and mucus is a natural bodily fluid produced in the lungs to kill the bacteria or virus.
Cough is a natural bodily response to shoot the mucus out of the lungs and out the body.
There are three modes of treatments:
- Suppress the brain from coughing,
- Make the mucus more watery to easily move it outside the lungs, or
- Make the respiratory drier to have less mucus
I will share more about traditional medicine I know about in the future.
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About Me
| Onie Maniego was born in Leyte, PH. He grew up in a rural area with a close-knit community and a simple lifestyle, he is often visiting his father's orchards during summer and weekends, which has a great impact on his works. |
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