I've been giving my children ginger baths for many years to relieve discomfort from flu, congestion, and colds. I didn't know why it worked, just that it did.  I recently came across an interesting article on why ginger baths are so theraputic.

http://www.pureinsideout.com/ginger-bath.html

Ginger baths are easy to give.  Simply sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of dried ginger into running bath water as hot as you can take it and slip in for a soak.  With a little rinsing the ginger will drain with the bath water.  We've never had problem with clogged drains. 

Epsom salts are also theraputic and you can combine the benefits by mixing 1 cup of epsom salts, the zest from 1/2 an orange, and 2 Tablespoons of dried ginger.  Mix in a bowl and store in a half pint jar.  Use the entire container for one bath.

Ginger is stuch a nice spice.  Hot and sweet and lemony all at the same time.  I decided to try to grow it this year.  It takes a lot of heat but prefers shade to sun and will die in temperatures below 40 degrees.  The midwest is an unlikely place to grow it well since it takes 10-12 months to mature, but in a pot I may have success.  I'll try anything once.  Here's a link to instructions:  http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-ginger.html and http://www.ehow.com/how_4576842_grow-ginger-indoors.html

I'm off to prepare a ginger soak for sweet Heidi.  I hope she feels better soon!