Feeling sick? Try ginger

In China, fresh ginger (Sheng jian in Chinese; Singabera in Sanskrit) is prescribed for chills, fever, headaches and aching muscles. Dried ginger is used for 'internal cold' with symptoms such as cold hands, weak pulse and a pale complexion. You can use ginger at home in several different forms, both fresh and dried.

General uses
Arthritic aches and pains: dilute five drops of ginger essential oil in 20 drops of a carrier oil and add to bath.

Chilblains and cold sores: add 1/4 tsp fresh ginger peeled and grated into your food daily (this is also recommended for high blood pressure). Alternatively, drink a sherry glass of ginger wine each day. Externally, you can also apply fresh ginger, sliced or grated, to unopened chilblains twice a day. You can do this when the chilblain opens, but it will sting.

Colds, cough, flu, sore throats and tonsillitis: use ginger with garlic and lemon. Crush a medium-sized garlic clove, grate the same size piece of peeled fresh ginger and mix with the juice of one lemon and one tsp of honey. Pour over a cup of hot water. Stir and drink up to three cups daily while symptoms last.

Constipation: for a strong laxative, use ginger and senna. Steep one-three slices (one gram) of fresh ginger in 150 ml of warm water with three-six senna pods. Take for up to 10 days. Warning: Long-term use of senna is harmful. Do not give to children under five and do not take during pregnancy.