It has a spicy flavor and a strong and pleasant aroma. It is brown on the outside and yellowish-white on the inside, with a curious hand shape. It is a very common ingredient in recipes, sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics. It has a long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. It can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. It has been used to help with digestion, reduce nausea, fight the flu and the common cold, ginger's unique fragrance and flavor come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol.