Greetings!
For those of use now in Autumn and facing the winter's cold - Ginger root can be a warming and healing herb for our horses and ourselves. I make ginger tea with a few slices of fresh ginger root simmered in a pan of pure water. It tastes wonderful as is or with some honey (honey and lemon added will soothe a cold or flu). This tea served plain can stop nausea and dizziness.
A strong brew of ginger tea can be added to a hot bath to warm the core (of an adult human) and stimulate circulation - use this with caution, though. If you use too much ginger or the water is too hot, you can over stimulate the circulatory system!
Powdered ginger root is added by the teaspoon to a horse's wet, warm bucket feed on a cold night to support the digestion and warm the body. This also has a clearing effect on the lungs. I use one spoonful for a small horse; two spoons for a large horse.
Ginger root capsules or crystalized ginger pieces can be carried to take in case of motion sickness (in humans). For dogs with motion sickness, I generally give homeopathic Cocculus indicus.
Essential oil of ginger root can be placed (a drop or two) onto a tissue that is carried to "sniff" if one is feeling nauseous. Peppermint oil helps in this way as well. Both of these oils are counter-indicated for pregnancy. And, ginger is too strong to use for cats in any form.
This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. As always, use the herbalists safety ways by giving a small dose of any herb and watching for any reactions before using a full dose.
We love ginger root! It's use in cooking and baking adds health benefits as well as great flavor to foods!

|
 Katharine Chrisley Dharmahorse |