Use of the ginger root dates back at least five thousand years and it is one of the most widely use herbs in the world.  Actually ginger is a rhizome (underground stem) with shoots that resemble bamboo.  The skin of ginger is a pale tan color that looks rather woody.  The yellow flesh inside holds the flavor, aroma, and medicinal properties of the plant.  It’s taste is spicy, pungent, and slightly citrus.

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Medicinal Uses of Ginger

Most commonly ginger is known to settle and upset stomach.  Remember your mom giving you ginger ale when you had the flu?  Ginger is also used for it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It’s also considered a “diaphoretic” which means that ginger stimulates sweating and releasing of toxins through the skin.   Here are some other uses for ginger:

• indigestion
• motion sickness
• menstrual cramps
• colds/flu
• headaches
• lower cholesterol
• inflammatory conditions such as arthritis
• boost the immune system

Ginger can give your juices an invigorating kick and jumpstart your immune system.  It’s strong stuff, though!  Start with about a quarter inch slice and peel the very outer layer.  Put it through your juicer as you normally would.  You might feel the burn from volatile essential oils.  That’s the ginger stirring up your circulation.  If it’s “no sweat” for you,  turn up the spice and add a little more.

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The body has a built in network of cells, tissues, and organs to defend against disease and infections called the immune system. The immune system recognizes harmful substances present in viruses, bacteria, and chemicals and creates a barrier so they do not enter the body.
One of the body’s first line of defense is in the white blood cells of the blood. These attack the harmful substances (antigens), help control the immune response, and “remember” the antigen to protect against it in the future.

The foods we eat can enhance or lower the immune system response to the antigens. Sugar and processed foods lower immune response. Natural, raw fruits and vegetables contain vitamins A, C, and E which enhance and support the production of white blood cells and work to counter act the damage from antigens. Juicing the fruits and vegetables releases these vitamins from the fiber and allow them to quickly enter the bloodstream and benefit the body.

Following is a list of some foods that contain the necessary vitamins to help build the immune system. Try a combination of any of these raw foods in your juicer machine to create a healthy immune building drink.

• kiwi
• oranges
• blueberries
• bell peppper
• broccoli
• spinach
• wheatgrass
• carrots
• sweet potatoes

For more juice recipes ideas on how to build your immune system by juicing, I recommend The Juicing Bible.