Health Benefits of Ginger The health advantages of ginger abound and it is frequently classed as a wonder spice with both medical and culinary benefits. Over forty-four hundred years ago, according to "Rodale's Encyclopedia of Herbs", Greek bakers made gingerbread from ginger that was imported from the Orient. In the sixteenth century the Spanish were cultivating it. From Jamaica conquistadors brought it to the New World. In 1884 Great Britain was importing well over 5 million pounds of ginger root. The origin of ginger is uncertain. It is thought to be native to southern China and India. It was then introduced into southern Florida. It grows well in fertile, well-drained and damp soil that can be partially shaded. The Diverse Nutrition and Health Benefits of Ginger Ginger consists of bisabolene, borneal, borneol, camphene, choline, cineole, citral, ginerol, inositol, unpredictable oils, PABA, phellandrene, acrid resin, sequiterpene, many B vitamins, zingerone, and zingib...