Ginger root not only tastes good when used in cooking but it can also be taken as a supplement for many of the health benefits that it offers. From helping with digestion to curing nausea, ginger root has long been used medicinally for many reasons. It comes from Southeast Asia but is currently grown in some tropical areas such as Jamaica. It is a natural spice that has an aromatic flavor but it has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,500 years. Nausea is one of the main reasons to use ginger root, especially during pregnancy and travel, but it is also great for any digestion problem. It can calm an upset stomach and promotes the flow of bile making it easier in general to digest certain foods. Ginger root is also known to help with your cardiovascular system. It does this by making blood platelets less stick which can reduce circulatory problems. Also used on patients with arthritis, because it has anti-inflammatory properties it can lessen the pain associated with arthritis and help the swelling go down making it easier to deal with. Ginger root is also great for colds and the flu by minimizing the symptoms of the typical respiratory cold and allergies. Since ginger is natural and used in regular cooking there are no side effects from this popular herb. The active ingredients in ginger root such as gingerols and shogaols work together to provide all of the health benefits to this popular herb, so it is important when taking a ginger root supplement that these compounds are present. You can take up to 200mg three times a day for the best health results. If you are taking ginger root to help with healing or to lessen inflammation after surgery you can take it the day after surgery but you should stop at least 4 days prior to the surgery itself.