Anyone whose mom ever prescribed flat ginger ale for an upset stomach knows at least a little about ginger’s healing and soothing effects. But the spicy herb possesses other medicinal properties as well: Used for 2,500 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginger’s said to treat inflammatory joint diseases (such as arthritis), prevent colds and flu, help with morning and motion sicknesses, and possibly strengthen heart health and protect against cancer.

Still, ginger’s nausea-relieving effects are probably its most common reason for use, with Dr. Eddy’s Integrative Medicine Blog recommending that parents give ginger-based foods and drinks to carsick kids. Dr. Eddy suggests keeping the car stashed with candied ginger or ginger snaps, such as the organic variety found in Country Choice Naturals Ginger Snaps. Likewise, Tim at Herbs And More swears that ginger tea – such as the Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger tea selected by ThisNexter Kimberly Charles - “works better than the pink stuff” for easing tummy troubles like indigestion and heartburn.

With cold season soon upon us, the naturally healthy bloggers at Life Tips note that they like to “tuck a little gingerroot, either fresh or candied, into a cup of hot tea” for relief from the “sinus misery” associated with colds and flu (I personally love The Ginger People’s crystallized ginger). You can also learn to cook up your own healing, ginger-based recipes with A Spoonful of Ginger: Irresistible Health-Giving Recipes from Asian Kitchens by Nina Simonds, a pick from Ruth Daniels (and hey, the book’s even got a Spicy Garlic Lobster recipe for treating impotence).

Ginger also provides some amazing aromatherapeutic effects: Its essential oil – available from Aura Cacia - can be applied topically to soothe aching muscles, stimulate circulation, and increase energy. Or you could just jump into the shower or tub with a ginger-infused beauty product like Origins Ginger Body Scrub (recommended by Carol Schick), Origins Incredible Spreadable Scrub Ginger Body Smoother (a “household staple” for Larry Costa), or Lush’s Ginger Soap (“If you love a soap with a smooth texture and a strong scent, you may want to try Lush’s Ginger Soap,” says shopcaster Ann Douglas. “It’s got a distinctive, but not overpowering, scent.”)

And while we’re talking indulgence, let us not overlook that heavenly ginger-chocolate combo adored by some very culinarily refined ThisNexters: The Style Page’s Julie Maitra loves the dark chocolate and crystallized ginger marriage offered by organic chocolate company Green & Black’s, while our Alyson is swoony for Chocolove’s Crystallized Ginger in Dark Chocolate Bar (“The mild spice and light crunch brighten the flavor of this dark chocolate bar and leave a delicate zing on the tongue,” says Alyson, adding: “My tongue hearts zing.”)