Zingiber officinalis (Zingiberaceae)

GINGER

Ginger root, used medicinally since the ancient Greeks, is a worldwide herbal remedy. It is given for poor peripheral (local) circulation, lung infections, indigestion, flatulence, and travel sickness.

Ginger is often thought of as being an oriental spice, but the ancient Greeks used ginger as medicine too and the Romans had ginger in their medicinal supplies when they invaded Britain in AD43. Native to southeast Asia, it has been introduced worldwide in the tropics, where it is often grown commercially; the best quality ginger now comes from Jamaica. The Chinese regard ginger so highly that they include it as an ingredient in about half of all prescriptions. It is a perennial with a thick tuberous root, long tapering leaves, and purplish flowers in spikes. The roots are harvested after the leaves have died in the autumn.

PARTS USED

Root.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Volatile oil containing cineole, borneol, zingiberene, camphene, citral, bisabolene, and beta-phellandrene; resinous matter containing gingerols, gingerdiols, zingerone, and shogoals.

ACTIONS

Circulatory stimulant; relieves wind and colic; induces sweating; lowers blood cholesterol levels; prevents motion sickness.

MEDICINAL USE

Given for poor peripheral (local) circulation causing cold limbs and as a warming circulatory stimulant in lung infections. It is also used to prevent travel sickness, and for indigestion and flatulence. Widely prescribed in Chinese medicine for similar uses and for diarrhoea, general lack of energy, coughs, and colds. Tablets of ginger are available over-the-counter for travel sickness.

PREPARATIONS

Fresh root, infusion, tincture, powder, over-the-counter tablets.