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| Ginger is consumed in China as food and as medicine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Medicated candies prepared from rhizomes of luya, Zingiber officinale, for sore throat, cough and as breath freshener, dissolved in the mouth as needed.Materials:
Ginger rhizomes, powdered;
confectioner’s sugar,
gum Arabic powder, USP;
cornstarch,
water, mortar and pestle,
spatula,
spoon,
knife,
tray,
wax paper,
aluminum foil
Proportion: 2 tablespoon powdered ginger for every cup of confectioner’s sugar.
Procedure:
1. Mix powdered ginger, confectioner’s sugar, a little gum Arabic powder in a mortar and pestle.
2. Add water, a few drops at a time, enough to form a mass/ball.
3. Line a tray/plate with cornstarch lightly. Transfer the mass/ball to the starch-lined tray.
4. Flatten the mass/ball to desired thickness, or make a long roll.
5. Divide the flattened mass or roll, as the case maybe, into equal portions, as desired.
6. Allow the discs to dry (air-dry or place in an oven briefly); then wrap each one in aluminum foil.
Source: www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
Preparations
ReplyDelete• Ginger tea
Ginger tea preparation, the Chinese way : Bring one cup of water to boil. Add one teaspoon of the roasted (parched and browned) rice and a small piece of ginger root. Boil for one minute. Let stand to cool for drinking. (Preparation of dried rice: Pour enough water to cover 1/2 cup white rice in a flat dish; and let stand overnight. In the morning, drain off the excess water. Roast the rice in a dry pan, stirring constantly until parched and brown. Store in a glass jar for future use, tightly covered to keep moisture out.)
• Ginger lozenges
• Wash and peel the ginger, then mince.
• Spread and air-dry for a day or oven-dry at 250 C.
• Grind and strain the dried ginger.
* In a mortar, mix 1 cup ground giner and 1 cup confectioner's sugar.
• Pound and mix while gradually adding water until a pulp is formed.
• Level the pulp on a board lined with wax paper.
• Using a mold, make balls from the pulp and wrap each lozenge in aluminum foil.
As long as we're on the subject, there is something else that has fallen away- that is our wisdom regarding the medicinal properties of common herbs. A 1995 article in Vegetarian Times reminds us of some of them..
ReplyDeleteBASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM): Used in treating colds, flu, fever, stomach cramps, constipation, vomiting, headaches and menstrual pains.
CARAWAY (CARUM CARVI): The seeds soothe the digestive tract and help eliminate gas.
CAYENNE (CAPSICUM ANNUUM): Tonic for circulatory and digestive systems. Good for fever, infection and body cleansing.
CINNAMON (CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM): Traditionally used to treat fever, diarrhea, menstrual problems and post-partum bleeding. Also a digestive aid.
CLOVE (SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM): Aids digestion.
CORIANDER (CORIANDRUM SATIVUM): Used as a digestive aid for thousands of years. Both seeds and leaves may be used in a tea for strengthening the urinary tract and treating urinary tract infections.
CUMIN (CUMINUM CYMINUM): A digestive aid.
FENNEL (FOENICULUM VULGARE): For aiding digestion and expelling gas. Studies suggest it may be antibacterial.
FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM): One of the oldest medicinal herbs, used by Hippocrates. An anti-inflammatory. Helps clear up coughs.
GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM): A wealth of research shows garlic's antibiotic properties and its role in lowering cholesterol, reducing blood pressure, reducing risk of blood clots and reducing blood sugar levels.
GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE): An excellent remedy for motion sickness, morning sickness and menstrual cramps. Also for aiding digestion, fighting infections and stimulating circulation.
MARJORAM (ORIGANUM MAJORANA): Digestive aid and possible treatment for herpes. Also used as a cough remedy and a tranquilizer.
MINTS (MENTHA SPP.): Peppermint may help prevent stomach ulcers, according to some studies. All mints are good digestive aids.
OREGANO (ORIGANUM SPP.): Actually a wild species of marjoram, it's good for digestion and as an expectorant for coughs, colds and chest congestion.
PARSLEY (PETROSELINUM CRISPUM): Research suggests it may be beneficial in treating high blood pressure and in quieting allergy symptoms.
ROSEMARY (ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS): Has a tonifying and calming effect on digestion. May help reduce nasal and chest congestion. Acts as a circulatory- and nervous-system stimulant. Used in treating headaches.
SAGE (SALVIA OFFICINALIS): Used for insomnia, depression and menstrual problems. Sage gargle is good for sore throats. Externally, sage is used as an antiperspirant and antibacterial.
THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS): Thymol, the active constituent, has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and has long been used as an ingredient in mouthwash. Good for treating sore throats, laryngitis and coughs. A good anti-spasmodic for the digestive system.
TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA): Several studies show anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good treatment for arthritis. Stimulates bile and helps digest fats.
Example:
ReplyDeleteA common treatment for sore throat is to gargle with salt water. Some of the pain associated with a sore throat is caused by swelling of the throat tissues, which contain water. Salt water has a lower concentration of water than throat tissues do, so when a person gargles with salt water, water moves by osmosis from the throat tissues into the salt water