Sweet on ginger: did you know ginger is one of the richest food sources of antioxidants and that it's natural antidote for digestive distress? Read on to learn other applications of this versatile herb.(SUPPLEMENTS: 10 WAYS)(Cover story)

The root of the ginger plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,500 years, but only in recent decades has science begun to unravel the mysteries of ginger's healing powers. Here are 10 ways to benefit from this flavorful plant:

1. Antioxidant Power

Antioxidants help to prevent all forms of disease and slow aging. A study of more than 120 plant foods, published in the lournal of Nutrition, ranked ginger among the five richest food sources of antioxidants, along with berries, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pome-granates. Test-tube and animal research has shown that ginger suppresses the production of free radicals and also enhances the body's internal production of antioxidants.

2. Nausea Prevention

Many studies have found that ginger can help prevent motion sickness. One study, published in the Journal of Travel Medicine, found that among 1,741 tourists on a six-hour whale-watching boat trip, 500 mg of ginger prevented seasickness as well as the need for motion sickness medications. In other research, pregnant women who took ginger experienced less nausea and vomiting than those who took a placebo. During pregnancy, 1 g daily for up to four days is considered safe.

3. Pain Relief

Numerous studies have validated ginger's natural anti-inflammatory properties. In a study of 247 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, published in Arthritis and Rheumatism, a ginger extract significantly reduced knee pain when standing and walking, and those taking ginger needed less pain medication. Other research found that ginger relieved muscular pain.