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Contents:
Common Names
Parts Usually Used
Plant(s) & Culture
Where Found
Medicinal Properties
Biochemical Information Legends, Myths and Stories
Uses
Formulas or Dosages
Nutrient Content
How Sold
Warning
Bibliography
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Common Names
African ginger
Ardraka, fresh (Sanskrit name)
Black ginger
Chiang
Gan-jiang, dry (Chinese name)
Nagara, dry (Sanskrit name)
Race ginger
Shen-jiang, fresh (Chinese name)
Sunthi (Sanskrit name)
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Parts Usually Used
Roots and rhizomes
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Ginger is a perennial plant; the aromatic, knotty rootstock is thick, fibrous,
and whitish or buff-colored. It produces a simple, leafy stem covered with the
leaf sheaths of the lanceolate-oblong to linear leaves. The plant reaches
a height of 3-4 feet, the leaves growing 6-12 inches long. The sterile
flowers are white with purple streaks and grow in spikes.
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Where Found
Indigenous to tropical Asia and cultivated in other tropical areas, especially
Jamaica.
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Medicinal Properties
Antispasmodic, antiemetic, analgesic, antiseptic, appetizer, aromatic, carminative,
condiment, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge, pungent, sialagogue, stimulant
Topically: increases blood flow to an area
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Biochemical Information
Bisabolene, borneal, borneol, camphene, choline, cineole, citral, ginerol,
inositol, volatile oils, PABA, phellandrene, phenols, alkaloids, mucilage,
acrid resin, sequiterpene, vitamins B3, B5, zingerone, and zingiberene.
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Legends, Myths and Stories
Ginger is an ancient herb native to Asia. It is produced commercially in
Jamaica, Africa, Japan, China, India, and the Dutch East Indies; the best
is reputed to be that of Jamaica. The Chinese have been using ginger for
more than 2,000 years. The Japanese serve ginger slices
between sushi courses to clear the palate and aid digestion.
In China, the poorer classes test food by tossing a slice
of fresh ginger into
their cooking pot. They claim that if the root turns a dark color the food is
bad.
Marco Polo mentions ginger in his unbelievable narrative
of the 13th century.
The Spaniards brought the first ginger plants to the New World in
the early part of the 16th century. The finest roots today come from Jamaica.
If ginger is grown in greenhouses, it may bloom and produce
an exotic
and interesting flower that looks somewhat like a miniature pineapple.
Ginger root adds an agreeable zest to many beverages.
The root is used in wines, liqueurs and soft drinks.
Dry ginger is a better stimulant and expectorant; fresh ginger
is a better diaphoretic, better for colds, cough, and vomiting.
The following is a quote from the book "Old Ways Rediscovered"
by
Clarence Meyer."Recipe for ginger beer from The Illustrated London
Cookery book (1852): Pour 2 gallons of boiling water on 1/4 lb. of cream
of tartar, 1 oz. of sliced ginger, 2 lbs. of sugar; let it stand 6 hours, then
add 2 tbsp. of yeast, let it stand 6 hours more, strain through fine
strainer, put it into stone bottles, tie down the corks, and it will be fit
for use in 24 hours."
Another old-time favorite was the ginger tissane: made by
steeping 1/2 tsp.
root in 1 cup boiling water, keep saucer over the cup while steeping.
Strain when only warm and sip as needed. If desired, sweeten with honey.
Natives of the West Indies add a dash of nutmeg or 1-2 cloves
to the tissane.
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Uses
A spicy herb used for colitis, diverticulosis, nausea, gas, indigestion, paralysis
of the tongue, morning sickness, travel sickness or motion sickness,
vomiting, hot flashes and menstrual cramps. Cleanses the colon, gas and
fermentation, cholera, gout, nausea, arthritis, stimulates circulation, and
reduces spasms and cramps.
Ginger tea or tincture, taken hot, promotes cleansing of
the system
through perspiration and is also said to be useful for suppressed
menstruation. Take it to clear up flatulent colic or combine it with laxative
herbs to make them more palatable or milder in action. Try it at the
onset of a cold, flu, headaches, chronic bronchitis, to ease the effects
of the usual symptoms. Finally, to stimulate the flow of saliva and to
soothe a sore throat, chew the rootstock as it is. Promotes sweat when
taken hot. Ginger ale is a long time remedy for upset stomach and
nausea. An old-fashioned remedy for dandruff is to combine ginger with
olive oil. (Applied to the scalp after shampoo) A few drops in the ears,
of this oil, will soothe earaches. Ginger root is used
in the treatment of minor burns and skin inflammations.
Grated ginger can be topically applied externally, as a poultice
or hot fomentation to relieve painful aches, sprains, and spasms.
Some researchers think that ginger may help prevent strokes,
heart disease,
and hardening of the arteries. Also, a hematology researcher says it is
believed that gingerol, a substance in ginger, inhibits an enzyme that
causes cells to clot. The same enzyme is blocked by aspirin, effective
in preventing recurrence of "little strokes". These attacks are triggered
by microscopic artery clots, flowing through the blood stream until
they block arteries in the brain, causing the stroke or cerebrovascular accident,
known as CVA.
The Chinese Materia Medica lists the uses of ginger for dyspepsia,
diarrhea, piles, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and alcoholic gastritis.
If the root is chewed and the juice swallowed, it causes saliva to flow
and digestive juices to be stimulated. This will also relieve nausea and
vomiting. A tea made of the root improves digestion, relieves gas and bloating,
and stimulates appetite.
Relief from these conditions: use 1/2 oz. of powdered ginger
root stirred
into 1 pint of boiling water. 2 to 3 tbsp. of the tea should be taken 3
times a day. Capsules of ginger will relieve motion sickness. Prompt
relief from the morning-after "hangover" is obtained by sipping 1
or 2 cups of hot ginger tea for breakfast.
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Formulas or Dosages
Infusion: mix 1/2 tsp. powdered rootstock with 1 tsp. (or more) honey.
Add 1 cup boiling water. If desired, add an ounce of brandy or other liquor.
Tincture: take 15 or more drops at a time, warm.
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Nutrient Content
Vitamins B3, B5
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How Sold
As a spice in the grocery, fresh root or powdered spice
Capsules: take 1 for up to 3 times daily to relieve symptoms.
Motion sickness (SEE MOTION SICKNESS) is usually helped with 1 capsule.
Extract: mix 15 drops in warm water, taken for up to 3 times daily.
Externally: mix 15 drops of extract in 1 cup of warm vegetable oil.
Mash fresh ginger-root, soak in cotton ball, and apply juice
directly to inflamed area.
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Warning
Avoid ginger in excessive amounts with a peptic ulcer, bleeding ulcers, very
high fever, inflammatory skin diseases.
Ginger is a safe remedy for morning sickness in small doses.
Do not exceed
doses recommended. Other commercial anti-nauseants should not be
taken during pregnancy without consulting a doctor, because of
the possibility that they may cross the placenta and adversely affect the fetus.
