Let’s face it, at this time of year it’s easy to overload on sweets and holiday goodies, no matter how hard we try to be good. Even we acupuncturists are not immune to the temptations that surround us at every turn- cookies, fudge, candy, egg nog, maybe an extra glass of wine… But these delicious treats can lead to moments of regret as your tummy starts to bloat and feel a little upset.

One of the best remedies we have on hand for such occasions at this time of year is ginger. Ginger has been used medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, and modern researchers are just beginning to discover the vast health benefits it offers, including relief of nausea and indigestion regardless of the cause. Motion sickness, morning sickness, food sensitivities, gastrointestinal disorders and just plain old overeating can all be relieved with ginger.

Ginger is also a warming herb, so a cup of ginger tea is a great way to warm up on a cold winter’s day. It’s simple to make- just add a few slices of raw ginger to a cup of hot water. We also recommend having a small box of crystallized ginger on hand, which makes it easy to have a piece or two whenever your tummy needs settling.

Note: Science has not yet proven if frosted gingerbread cookies offer the same therapeutic effect as actual ginger. But we won’t tell Santa if you don’t.