Ginger
DEFINITION
Ginger has the botanical name Zingiber officinale and is part
of the Zingiberaceae family of plants. Originally found growing
naturally in South East Asia it is now grown commercially in India,
China, West Indies, Australia and Nigeria. Ginger is a root which
propagates all the year round and in the spring grows a green reed
some 750cm high. The rhizome is gathered when the leaves have dried
and after washing and removing the stem and root fibres it is left
out in the sun to dry.
of the Zingiberaceae family of plants. Originally found growing
naturally in South East Asia it is now grown commercially in India,
China, West Indies, Australia and Nigeria. Ginger is a root which
propagates all the year round and in the spring grows a green reed
some 750cm high. The rhizome is gathered when the leaves have dried
and after washing and removing the stem and root fibres it is left
out in the sun to dry.
Commercial ginger is called black or white and has a
characteristic odour and taste.
characteristic odour and taste.
The roots of Ginger are dried before being processed into
herbal preparations. The parts of Ginger which have an action in
the body include volatile oils (including cineole, borneol,
linalool, zingiberol, camphene, citral, phellandrene) phenols
(gingeol, zingerone), shogaol and possibly an alkaloid.
herbal preparations. The parts of Ginger which have an action in
the body include volatile oils (including cineole, borneol,
linalool, zingiberol, camphene, citral, phellandrene) phenols
(gingeol, zingerone), shogaol and possibly an alkaloid.
INTERACTIONS
Herbal supplements can alter the effects of certain drugs,
including prescription medications. Always tell your Doctor about
any prescription medications, non-prescription medications, herbs
or other dietary supplements you are taking.
including prescription medications. Always tell your Doctor about
any prescription medications, non-prescription medications, herbs
or other dietary supplements you are taking.
- Ginger supplements may reduce the clotting capacity of the
blood and should be used with caution by people taking
anticoagulant medications such as warfarin.
MEDICAL USE
Always consult your Health Care Professional to advise you on
dosages and any possible medical interactions. See the ‘notes’
section for further warnings, and consult your Health Care
Professional. Ginger has been used traditionally as a circulatory
stimulant and vasodilator (dilates blood vessels). The herb is
indicated for use with bad circulation, chilblains and cramps.
Other traditional uses for Ginger include; fever – adults, coughs,
asthma, gout and chronic rheumatism.
dosages and any possible medical interactions. See the ‘notes’
section for further warnings, and consult your Health Care
Professional. Ginger has been used traditionally as a circulatory
stimulant and vasodilator (dilates blood vessels). The herb is
indicated for use with bad circulation, chilblains and cramps.
Other traditional uses for Ginger include; fever – adults, coughs,
asthma, gout and chronic rheumatism.
Due to Ginger’s wide range of actions, it is used in many
prescriptions given in Oriental medicine. Ginger is thought to
increase the action of other herbal medicines and is used in some
herbal formulas to increase the activity of that formula. This may
be due to the strong stimulating and heating properties attributed
to Ginger. The herb is also often used as a flavouring agent for
herbal formulations.
prescriptions given in Oriental medicine. Ginger is thought to
increase the action of other herbal medicines and is used in some
herbal formulas to increase the activity of that formula. This may
be due to the strong stimulating and heating properties attributed
to Ginger. The herb is also often used as a flavouring agent for
herbal formulations.
INFECTIONS
Ginger is valued as a remedy for conditions of cold and chill
as the herb helps to stimulate blood flow and warm the body. Ginger
has a very hot and spicy taste which may heat the body and cause
sweating, even with small dosages. Sweating is considered by some
herbal practitioners to have a beneficial effect in the management
of fever. Hot Ginger tea, made with fresh Ginger root, garlic,
lemon and honey, may be useful for reducing the symptoms of coughs
and colds and soothing a sore throat.
as the herb helps to stimulate blood flow and warm the body. Ginger
has a very hot and spicy taste which may heat the body and cause
sweating, even with small dosages. Sweating is considered by some
herbal practitioners to have a beneficial effect in the management
of fever. Hot Ginger tea, made with fresh Ginger root, garlic,
lemon and honey, may be useful for reducing the symptoms of coughs
and colds and soothing a sore throat.
DIGESTION
The other main use for Ginger is to help stimulate the
digestive process and reduce the symptoms of colic and flatulence
or wind. Ginger may also be used to help relieve nausea, travel
sickness and morning sickness.
digestive process and reduce the symptoms of colic and flatulence
or wind. Ginger may also be used to help relieve nausea, travel
sickness and morning sickness.
ULCERS
Spices are often considered to be ulcer-promoting substances
and people with ulcers are often advised to avoid spices at all
costs. Despite the fact that Ginger stimulates gastric secretions,
several anti-ulcer compounds have been found in Ginger and it has a
traditional use in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Ginger has been
found to help reduce the swelling and bleeding of gastric ulcers,
and does not appear to block the acid level of the stomach which is
required for the normal digestion of proteins.
and people with ulcers are often advised to avoid spices at all
costs. Despite the fact that Ginger stimulates gastric secretions,
several anti-ulcer compounds have been found in Ginger and it has a
traditional use in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Ginger has been
found to help reduce the swelling and bleeding of gastric ulcers,
and does not appear to block the acid level of the stomach which is
required for the normal digestion of proteins.
BLOOD CLOTTING
Recent studies have also indicated a possible role for Ginger
in the prevention of blood clotting. Blood that forms clots too
easily may increase the risk of a person suffering from a stroke,
heart attack and thrombosis. Ginger is said to help prevent blood
from sticking together and forming dangerous clots.
in the prevention of blood clotting. Blood that forms clots too
easily may increase the risk of a person suffering from a stroke,
heart attack and thrombosis. Ginger is said to help prevent blood
from sticking together and forming dangerous clots.
INFLAMMATION
A common use for Ginger is for the treatment of conditions
which involve inflammation e.g., rheumatism. Certain natural
chemicals contained within Ginger may help to prevent swelling and
assist with blocking substances produced by the body which can
cause inflammation. This anti-inflammatory action is responsible
for Ginger being used to help in the treatment of migraine
headaches.
which involve inflammation e.g., rheumatism. Certain natural
chemicals contained within Ginger may help to prevent swelling and
assist with blocking substances produced by the body which can
cause inflammation. This anti-inflammatory action is responsible
for Ginger being used to help in the treatment of migraine
headaches.
Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age
unless specified by a Doctor.
unless specified by a Doctor.
PROPERTIES
Stimulant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, anti-emetic
(anti-nausea), aids digestion, sudorific (promotes sweating) and
rubefacient (stimulates blood flow to a local area causing redness
and warmth).
(anti-nausea), aids digestion, sudorific (promotes sweating) and
rubefacient (stimulates blood flow to a local area causing redness
and warmth).
NOTES
- Ginger should be used cautiously during pregnancy, as the heat
of the herb is thought to induce menstruation in some
women. - Ginger should also be used with caution by
haemophiliacs. - Pregnant women should avoid large doses of ginger, as its
effects on foetal development have yet to be established.
