This is a good time of year to bring out the ginger. As we move into autumn and the days get shorter and the air cooler, ginger is a great way to replace sunshine and summer heat and warm things up a bit. I've written about ginger before, but like a few other special classics in the botanical medicine panoply, it is something well worth rediscovering from time to time.

Ginger is used internally as a tonic and stimulant. Warming to the body, it will make you perspire if you ingest it in large amounts. In cold weather or when you feel shivery, or when your muscles and joints are aching, it heats everything up in a most soothing way. It settles the stomach and boosts the immune system. It is known for its efficacy in battling the common cold and nausea. Taken with seafood, ginger's purification properties help guard against food poisoning. It will stimulate delayed menstruation and act as a vermifuge.

Ginger is potent, and may cause an adverse reaction when taken in large or repeated doses. As with any medicinal substance, use it in moderation. Ginger should not be used by those suffering from stomach ulcers.