Ginger enthusiasts have been spreading the gospel of this root's health and medicinal benefits for years. People claim that ginger has the ability to soothe nausea, ease arthritis pain and that it works overall as an anti-inflammatory (with potential to lower cholesterol.)

But that's not all. A new study conducted in Thailand has linked ginger to improved cognitive function. While the study only surveyed 60 middle-aged women -- and more studies are needed for conclusive evidence -- researchers found that the woman who were given the highest dose of ginger extract led to improvements in working memory. And who couldn't use a little more help remembering where they put their keys? It's reason enough for us at Kitchen Daily to incorporate more ginger into our diets -- especially because it tastes so great, too.

The best way to get a healthy dose of ginger in your diet is with fresh ginger. You can do this by adding it to your favorite dishes or making your own fresh ginger tea. Making homemade ginger tea is easy and amazingly soothing. All you need is a one-inch piece of peeled and chopped ginger and two cups of water. Boil the ginger for 10 minutes to achieve a mild flavor and 20 minutes for a little more spice. Once this step is complete, strain out the ginger and then you can add as you please: honey, lemon or even a fruity herbal tea for a more complex beverage.

If fresh ginger isn't available to you, extracts and syrups are a great source also. Add them to homemade beverages or cocktails. Not only will they add a nice new flavor, but you can feel good about drinking them too. For tips on how to peel this knobby root, check out our quick tutorial. Click through the slideshow below for great ginger recipes. From ginger beef salad to fish in a carrot ginger broth, it's easy to get smart.

Ginger syrup and extract sources:
Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup
Epicerie de Provence Ginger Syrup
The Vermont Country Store Ginger Syrup
New Chapter Daily Ginger Extract
Pure Ginger Extract

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  • Gingery Kimchi Fried Rice

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://fiveandspice.wordpress.com/">Gingery Kimchi Fried Rice recipe from Five and Spice</a></strong>

  • Toasted Sesame Ginger Salmon

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/03/toasted-sesame-ginger-salmon/">Toasted Sesame Ginger Salmon recipe from How Sweet It Is</a></strong>

  • Ginger Beet Smoothie

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://withstyleandgraceblog.com/2012/03/26/market-monday-gingered-beet-smoothie/">Ginger Beet Smoothie recipe from With Style & Grace</a></strong>

  • Ginger Edamame Soybean Soup

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/asian-recipe/soy-bean-soup-recipe/">Ginger Edamame Soybean Soup recipe from White On Rice Couple</a></strong>

  • Ginger Snowdrops

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://hungryrabbitnyc.com/2011/12/ginger-snowdrops/">Ginger Snowdrops recipe from Hungry Rabbit</a></strong>

  • Cilantro & Ginger Hummus

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/01/cilantro-ginger-hummus.html">Cilantro & Ginger Hummus recipe from A Beautiful Mess</a></strong>

  • Ginger and Pork Dumplings

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bellalimento.com/2013/02/18/ginger-and-pork-dumplings/">Ginger and Pork Dumplings recipe from bell'alimento</a></strong>

  • Ginger Peach Muffins

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/ginger-peach-muffins/">Ginger Peach Muffins recipe from White On Rice Couple</a></strong>

  • Edamame Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.acommunaltable.com/edamame-salad-with-ginger-vinaigrette/">Edamame Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette recipe from A Communal Table</a></strong>

  • Carrot, Orange and Ginger Gazpacho

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.delicooks.com/en/receips/appetizers/carrot-orange-and-ginger-gazpacho">Carrot, Orange and Ginger Gazpacho recipe from Delicooks</a></strong>

  • Cauliflower Steaks with Ginger Soy

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/cauliflower-steaks-with-ginger-soy-sauce/">Cauliflower Steaks with Ginger Soy recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod</a></strong>

  • Grape & Ginger Jam

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.lovefoodeat.com/grape-ginger-jam/">Grape & Ginger Jam recipe from love food eat</a></strong>

  • Crab Stacks with Ginger Lime Dressing

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://sassandveracity.com/2012/01/25/crab-stacks-with-ginger-lime-dressing/">Crab Stacks with Ginger Lime Dressing recipe from Sass and Veracity</a></strong>

  • Gingered Chickpeas & Kale Soup

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://kirantarun.com/food/2012/11/02/gingered-chickpeas-kale-soup/">Gingered Chickpeas & Kale Soup recipe from Kiran Taran</a></strong>

  • Blackberry Ginger Cooler

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://blessherheart.typepad.com/bless_her_heart/2011/06/blackberry-ginger-cooler.html">Blackberry Ginger Cooler recipe from Bless Her Heart</a></strong>

  • Ginger Rice Porridge with Nametake

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.culinarytribune.com/?p=24315">Ginger Rice Porridge with Nametake recipe from The Culinary Tribune</a></strong>

  • Ginger-Lemongrass Soda

    Making your own ginger syrup is simple and delicious. But when you add lemongrass to the mix, you come away with something really special. Make extra and keep this on hand, it'll be quite a treat for the rest of the week. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/ginger-lemongrass-soda_n_1060869.html" target="_hplink">Ginger-Lemongrass Soda</a> recipe</strong>

  • Fish In Carrot Ginger Broth

    With a tablespoon and a half of chopped ginger, and a broth made of carrot juice, this is one healthy fish recipe -- and flavorful, too. Serve either with crusty bread or rice on the side, so that none of the broth goes to waste. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/fish-in-carrot-ginger-bro_n_1057326.html" target="_hplink">Fish in Carrot Ginger Broth</a> recipe</strong>

  • Ginger Vinaigrette

    You can feel even better about eating salads when tossed with a fresh ginger vinaigrette. Serve this dressing atop a regular green salad to add a little zest. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/ginger-vinaigrette_n_1058411.html" target="_hplink">Ginger Vinaigrette</a> recipe</strong>

  • Edamame-Ginger Dip

    Full of protein thanks to the edamame, this fresh dip is chock full of fresh ginger. Rice vinegar, tahini and garlic also add to the flavor profile of this creamy dish. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/edamame-ginger-dip_n_1062041.html" target="_hplink">Edamame-Ginger Dip</a> recipe</strong>

  • Ginger Beef Salad

    This recipe calls for roast beef and takes just minutes to put together. With fresh ginger, mint and cilantro, this is one flavorful salad that you'll be happy to turn to for a quick weeknight dinner. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/ginger-beef-salad_n_1058406.html" target="_hplink">Ginger Beef Salad</a> recipe</strong>

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  • Raw Striped-Beet Ravioli With Herb And Goat Cheese Filling

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.cannellevanille.com/2012/06/afternoon-with-fig-fauna-and-some-raw.html" target="_hplink">Raw Striped-Beet Ravioli with Herb and Goat Cheese Filling recipe from Cannelle et Vanille</a></strong> The beets get sliced so thin for this recipe that they're pliable enough to use as pasta for filling with herbed goat cheese. It's all drizzled with a lemon and parsley oil vinaigrette.

  • Raw Tea Sandwiches

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.rawmazing.com/raw-tea-sandwiches/" target="_hplink">Raw Tea Sandwiches recipe from Rawmazing</a></strong> These tea sandwiches don't have any bread at all -- thinly sliced beet and cucumbers serve as the stacks that sandwich together a creamy pine nut pesto.

  • Beet Salad With Orange, Edamame And Goat Cheese

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bootsintheoven.com/boots_in_the_oven/2009/05/beet-salad.html" target="_hplink">Beet Salad with Orange, Edamame and Goat Cheese recipe from Boots in the Oven</a></strong> Use any beets to make this salad, but the candy-striped Chioggia variety will look most unique. The salad also features orange segments, roasted edamame and crumbled goat cheese.

  • Beet Fennel Salad

    Get the <a href="http://inspiringtheeveryday.com/2012/03/06/coconut-shrimp-a-beet-fennel-salad/" target="_hplink">Beet Fennel Salad recipe from Inspiring the Everyday</a> Shaving raw vegetables for a salad not only makes them pretty, it also makes them easy to eat when you get them as thin as possible. Golden beets, Chioggia beets and fennel are all shaved for this refreshing salad.

  • Golden Beet And Cress Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.rawmazing.com/the-new-year/" target="_hplink">Golden Beet and Cress Salad from Rawmazing</a></strong> Beautiful golden beet and tiny baby cress make up this simple salad. A bit of lime juice, Dijon mustard and olive oil dress the vegetables.

  • Heart Beet Rawvioli With Pesto Oil

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/2011/10/heart-beet-rawvioli-with-pesto-oil.html" target="_hplink">Heart Beet Rawvioli with Pesto Oil recipe from My New Roots</a></strong> Thinly sliced beets are cut into heart shapes to create this visually appealing dish. The beets are filled with a pine nut spread and then drizzled over with pesto oil.

  • Grated Raw Beet Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.kitchencorners.com/2012/01/grated-raw-beet-salad-day-6-of-31-days.html" target="_hplink">Grated Raw Beet Salad recipe from Kitchen Corners</a></strong> You can whip this salad together easily when you use your food processor's grater attachment. Lime juice and olive oil are all you need for the dressing.

  • Beet Salad with Jicama, Avocado And Orange

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://withstyle.me/2012/02/27/beet-salad-jicama-avocado-oranges/" target="_hplink">Beet Salad with Jicama, Avocado and Orange recipe from With Style and Grace</a></strong> This fun salad is a play on colors, flavors and textures. Bright red raw beets combine with crunchy jicama, creamy avocado and juicy oranges.

  • Raw Beet, Carrot And Apple Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/03/30/spring-clean-beet-carrot-and-apple-salad/" target="_hplink">Raw Beet, Carrot and Apple Salad recipe from Oh She Glows</a></strong> This grated salad features beets, carrots and apples. The dressing combines olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes and maple syrup. Garnish with sesame seeds.

  • WATCH: Apple Celery Beet Juice Recipe