Ginger Herbal Information

NAME
Ginger

LATIN NAME
Zingiber officinale (Roscoe)

ALSO KNOWN AS
Jamaica ginger, African ginger, black ginger, race ginger

ORIGIN
South east Asia

PARTS USED
Root, Rhizome, oil.

TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Ginger is known as a herbal remedy for digestive disorders. It settles the digestive system and promotes gastric secretion of bile, it stimulates the gastro-intestinal tract and aids digestion. It is also used in the case of fever, as it promotes perspiration, it also soothes a sore throat so can be a helpful remedy in colds and flu. Applied externally Ginger can treat sore overworked muscles, cramp and poor circulation. And Ginger is an excellent remedy for morning sickness and travel sickness.

FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
Ginger has been used by Chinese herbalists for more than 2,500 years as flavouring in food and also as a medicine.

CONSTITUENTS
Volatile oil (including zingiberine, zingiberole, phellandrene, borneol, cineole and citral); phenols (gingeole, zingerone), shagaol, starch, mucilage, resin, and a possible alkaloid.

TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE
Ginger when taken as a powder for medicinal purposes, by putting a 1/3 teaspoon of the powder in water and drinking x3/day. Ginger powder can also be used in cooking and can be included in a herbal tea blend along with other herbal leaves and flowers.

PRECAUTIONS
High doses should be avoided if the stomach is already hot and over-stimulated, as in peptic ulceration. It should be used with care in early pregnancy, although it can be safely taken in small doses (1g dried root) for morning sickness.