If you’ve ever added ginger to your tea, smoothies, or soups, you already know how warming and flavorful it can be. But there’s more to ginger than taste. In traditional African homes, ginger wasn’t just for cooking — it was medicine. It was boiled, crushed, chewed, or steeped in ways that went far beyond the kitchen.
Our ancestors didn’t just add a sprinkle here and there; they used it with purpose, often to treat conditions we still deal with today — pain, nausea, colds, and fatigue. If you’ve only used ginger for flavor, you might be missing some of its most powerful benefits.
Traditional Uses of Ginger in African Healing
There is a plant commonly referred to as African Ginger or Wild Ginger or Natal Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) and it's not the same as the regular culinary ginger. It is native to Southern Africa — especially South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. In this article, I will be discussing Common ginger (Zingiber officinale) — widely cultivated and used around the world in both cooking and modern herbal supplements.
Across the continent, common ginger has been part of traditional healing for generations.
It’s used:
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In decoctions for fevers and colds
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Crushed and applied to painful joints or swellings
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Mixed with honey or garlic as a daily immune tonic
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Added to hot soups or porridges during recovery from illness
Healers believe ginger has a warming effect that helps “wake up” the body — moving out what doesn’t belong and making space for healing.
Common Ginger for Inflammation and Body Pain
If you’ve ever had ginger tea when you were sore or stiff, you know it can help. Traditional healers use ginger for:
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Swollen joints
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Back pain
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Menstrual cramps
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Post-childbirth recovery
The paste is sometimes applied directly to the area, or the person might soak in warm water infused with ginger, especially during cold weather or after a long day of labor.
Ginger helps improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and warm up tired muscles.
Common Ginger For Nausea and Motion Sickness Relief
This is one of ginger’s oldest and most reliable uses. Whenever I'm nauseous — whether from pregnancy, food poisoning, or travel — ginger has always been my go-to.
In traditional homes, people chew raw ginger, sip on ginger water, or take small amounts of grated ginger with honey. It’s also common to give children or pregnant women a light ginger tea to settle their stomachs.
Common Ginger For Colds, Coughs, and Sinus Trouble
Ginger is one of the first things many of us were given when we caught a cold. Not just for the warmth, but for its ability to clear the chest and throat.
A popular home remedy includes:
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Ginger
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Garlic
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Cloves
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Lemon
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And a spoon of honey
Boiled together and taken warm, it helps break up mucus, soothe a sore throat, and open up blocked sinuses. Some people also inhale the steam from boiled ginger and cloves to ease congestion.
Digestive Support — From Bloating to Indigestion
Even today, if you complain of a “heavy stomach,” someone might tell you to chew a little ginger. It’s no coincidence — ginger helps:
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Stimulate digestion
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Reduce bloating and gas
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Ease cramping after meals
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Boost appetite after illness or fatigue
It works fast and gently, without harsh side effects.
Common Ginger for Fertility and Energy
In some parts of Africa, ginger is used to support libido, stamina, and reproductive health. Men might take a morning shot of ginger and honey, while women drink ginger tea to regulate their cycle and support circulation.
It’s considered a warming herb that strengthens the body — not just physically, but also emotionally and energetically.
How to Use Common Ginger the Traditional Way
Try these simple methods:
🔹 Ginger Tea (for colds, cramps, and digestion)
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Slice fresh ginger
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Boil in water for 10–15 minutes
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Add lemon or honey if desired
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Drink warm in the morning or at night
🔹 Ginger Poultice (for pain)
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Grate fresh ginger
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Wrap in cloth or apply to affected area
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Use warm compress over it for 10–15 minutes
🔹 Ginger + Honey Shot (for energy or coughs)
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Mix 1 tsp of grated ginger with 1 tsp of raw honey
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Take in the morning on an empty stomach
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Can also soothe sore throats
🔹 Ginger Bath (for body aches)
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Boil ginger in water
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Add to warm bath
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Soak for 15–20 minutes for relief from fatigue or chills
Who Should Be Cautious?
Ginger is safe for most people in small to moderate amounts, but:
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If you're pregnant, stick to light amounts (no concentrated extracts)
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If you’re on blood thinners, speak to your doctor first
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Avoid overusing ginger if you have ulcers or very sensitive digestion
Ginger might already be in your kitchen, but chances are, you’re only scratching the surface of what it can really do. Traditional healers have long understood its deeper uses — not just for flavor, but for warming the body, easing pain, clearing congestion, and even balancing energy. Ginger is still as effective today as it was generations ago.
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667142524002033#:~:text=Modern%20research%20supports%20these%20traditional,cytokines%20and%20modulate%20inflammatory%20pathways.
https://www.plantmedicines.org/2024/08/18-medicinal-benefits-of-ginger.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874120333456