Apart from providing a pungent and spicy flavor to food, ginger has also been used as a herbal medicine in various cultures for thousands of years to treat anything from the common cold to cancer. The unique flavor and fragrance of ginger stem from its natural oils, of which gingerol is the most important. It's the main bioactive compound of the plant and is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.  The Chinese view ginger as a "yang tonifying herb" and believe that it stimulates circulation and warms up the body, which counters the surface chilliness associated with colds. In many cultures, ginger is used to prevent or alleviate nausea, stomach ailments, and motion sickness. New research also shows that ginger may have powerful anti-diabetic properties, as it has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and improve various heart risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes.