This is by far, IMO, besides the turmeric, and raw blueberries, that really impresses me medicinally, this is STRONG MEDICINE. rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used spice and folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems about one meter tall in mostly sub-tropical regions, ie. S.E. Asia.
I peel it fresh, then cook it for hours, and I keep the fluid filled, and make it into tea's afterwards, not wasting a precious drop. It's an acquired taste, hot and peppery, but paired well, balanced with sweet.
Uses: breaks down secretions, especially respiratory system, GI system, mouth, teeth, gums, ears nose and throat... Probably even helps prevent cancer... I am sold, and would eat it if it tasted like goat balls, but it's actually very good.
It's also seems to have a pleasant appetite suppressant effect, while calming the stomach. Personally, I think rhizomes in particuler are just historically natural component of human tissues in general, among other roots. It's got a cleansing effect, restorative quality. Probably an optimum environment for healthy cellular regeneration, which is always occurring (or not) within our tissues.