3 Types Of Ginger That Are Beneficial To Increase Body Endurance

Illustration of ginger brewed with lemon and mint (Unsplash/Julia Vivcharyk)

JAKARTA – Ginger is an herbal plant or known as empon-empon that is being hunted lately. Why? It's no secret that ginger has beneficial properties to increase endurance. Even during the pandemic, the name fragrant ginger smelled throughout the archipelago.

Based on the color of the rhizome, size, and shape, there are 3 types of ginger. The explanation below may help you identify which type of ginger tastes best when made warm wedang.

Red ginger

Called red ginger because the color of the rhizome is reddish. The fibers are coarse with a sharp aroma. If brewed or used for herbal medicine, red ginger has a very spicy taste.

Usually, red ginger will be harvested when it is old. The reason is, the older it gets, the stronger it smells and the content in it is full of benefits.

Red ginger is often used for a mixture of drugs, herbs, or brewed usually mixed with lemon juice and ginger. In order to taste sweet and reduce the spicy taste, many people mix it with honey or palm sugar.

About the benefits, the price of red ginger is directly proportional to its usefulness. Since the pandemic broke out, the price of red ginger has doubled or even more.

Well, based on research published in a journal published in the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism in 2019, explained that in people who don't smoke, ginger can cause stronger antibodies against infection.

Ginger can be beneficial for smokers with anemia because it can increase hemoglobin. In general, ginger extract has an effect on the immune system, depending on the condition of each person.

Ginger emprit

In contrast to red ginger, ginger emprit slightly flat shape and yellowish white. The rhizome fiber is soft and the aroma is not as sharp as red ginger. Emprit ginger is also harvested when it is old so that it gives off a stronger aroma.

elephant ginger

Elephant ginger is yellowish white in color, but the aroma is not as strong as emprit ginger and red ginger. Also known as rhino ginger or ginger kombongan. The fiber is soft and the rhizome is fat. Well, elephant ginger can also be fermented and used as a side dish for Japanese foods such as sushi.

Can also be consumed while fresh or as a complement to Indonesian cuisine spices.

Interested in increasing your immune system with this herbal plant? You can process it into various types of wedang. Or just mix it with tea, milk, or coffee.