Ginger and Turmeric: Two Warming Roots From the Same Family

Ginger and turmeric are two of the world's best-loved spices. They are also close relatives. Both belong to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, and both are rhizomes, which are underground stems rather than true roots. Here is what makes ginger and turmeric special, and how they differ.

Botanical cousins

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has a pale yellow interior and a warm, peppery bite. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a vivid orange interior and an earthy, slightly bitter flavour. Both plants grow in warm, humid climates, and people harvest the rhizomes, then use them fresh, dried or powdered.

Ginger was first domesticated in Maritime Southeast Asia and later spread along early trade routes. Turmeric, by contrast, has its roots in South Asia, where India still grows most of the world's supply.

Ginger and turmeric in tradition

Both spices have a long place in traditional practice. For example, ginger appears in Chinese, Ayurvedic and European herbal traditions, most often as a warming herb for the stomach. Turmeric is central to Ayurveda and South Asian cooking, and it also plays a role in ceremonies and celebrations.

In the Caribbean, ginger and turmeric often appear together in teas, tonics and bitters. Their warmth balances strongly bitter herbs and makes a formula more pleasant to take.

What research shows

Ginger's pungency comes from compounds called gingerols, which change into shogaols when ginger is dried or cooked. Researchers have studied ginger for digestive comfort and nausea, with mixed but encouraging results in some areas.

Turmeric's best-known compounds are curcuminoids, especially curcumin. Scientists study curcumin widely. However, the body absorbs curcumin poorly on its own, and results vary with the preparation. For that reason, many products pair turmeric with black pepper, which contains piperine.

Using ginger and turmeric safely

As foods and spices, ginger and turmeric are part of everyday cooking around the world. In concentrated supplement amounts, though, both may interact with blood thinners. Turmeric supplements are also not recommended for people with gallbladder problems, and rare cases of liver injury have been reported. So, speak with a healthcare professional first if you take medication or have a medical condition.

Our Soursop Bitters brings ginger and turmeric together with soursop, senna and sea moss, in a liquid inspired by Caribbean bitters traditions.

Explore the related ASPHODEL products: ASPHODEL Soursop Bitters. You can also browse every ingredient in our library. For the botanical details, see the full ingredient profile.

Further reading: Zingiberaceae (Wikipedia)