Ginger

More than just a slang nickname for beloved British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, ginger is also a power spice shown to have significant health perks. It contains gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it may help relieve aches and pains as well as some over-the-counter pain meds as well as help ease mild nausea.

Ginger is a rhizome, the underground stem of the flowering ginger plant. It’s grown in Asia and is sold both fresh—you can find the tan root, similar in appearance to fat, knobby fingers, in the produce section at the grocery store sold as chunks—or as a powder in the spice aisle. Powdered ginger is often used in baking and packs a more powerful punch than fresh. Both offer health perks. You can store fresh ginger in the fridge; powdered ginger in a cool, dry, dark place.