The International Herb Association selects a “Herb of the Year” each year since 1995. For 2023, Ginger was selected. The decision is based on the herb being outstanding in at least two of the following categories: culinary, decorative, or medicinal.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and medicine.
Ginger can only be propagated by splitting its rhizome, the flowers are usually sterile and rarely produce seed. This indicates that it has probably been cultivated by humans for many thousands of years.
Ginger is not only a warming spice used to flavour foods but it is also used as medicine. Once simply called “the Great Cure” it was used to treat a large number of common conditions, such as colds, joint pain and digestive issues, as well as given as an aphrodisiac.
Some content sourced from herbsociety.org.uk
The North American Native, Canadian ginger (Asarum canadense), is not in the same family. It is instead most often used as a lovely ground cover for shaded or woodland areas.
