General Description
Ginger is a perennial plant with a leafy stem reaching approximately
a meter in height. The plant has green, grass-like leaves, which
are 15 to 30 centimeters long and roughly 2 centimeters in width.
Cultivated ginger is propagated by planting root cuttings, and rarely
flowers or goes to seed. Wild ginger produces small, yellow-green
flowers enclosed in overlapping green bracts, which are situated
in dense, conical spikes, from 5 to 7 centimeters long. Beneath
the ground, ginger has a thick, pungent rhizome (commonly called
ginger root), which is used as a spice, as a food, and for medicinal
purposes.
Health Applications
- Indigestion
- Post-operative nausea
- Motion sickness
- Cardiovascular health
History and Traditional Use
Native to China and India, ginger has been used for culinary and
medicinal purposes since ancient times. By the 1st century AD, traders
had introduced ginger to the Mediterranean region, and by the 11th
century it was well known across much of Europe. Today, ginger is
used widely throughout the world and cultivated extensively in the
tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. In traditional
Chinese medicine, ginger is used for nausea and to promote digestion.
In India's Ayurvedic medicinal system, ginger is used to treat inflammatory
and arthritic conditions.
Chemical Composition
The primary chemical constituents of ginger include essential
oils (zingiberine, bisabolene, camphene, alpha-pinene, cineol,
beta-phellandrene, and myrcene) and pungent principles (gingerol,
zingerone, and shogaol).1 Concentrations of
these components may vary, depending on growing conditions and
country of origin.
Nausea/Digestion
Most of the research on ginger has focused on its potential as
an antinauseant and digestive tonic. Germany's Commission E (the
German government's expert committee on herbal remedies) has approved
the use of ginger for prevention of motion sickness and treatment
of indigestion.2 Some studies indicate that
ginger may help control nausea caused by surgery,3-5
motion sickness,5,6 and pregnancy.5,7,8
However, in two studies on post-operative nausea, ginger was found
to be no more effective than placebo.9,10
Further research may help resolve this conflicting data. Japanese
scientists have isolated compounds in ginger that appear to have
anti-ulcer effects;11,12 however, the efficacy
of ginger for preventing or treating ulcers in humans has not
been demonstrated.
Cardiovascular Health
Preliminary evidence suggests that regular ginger consumption
may have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. Studies indicate
that compounds in ginger may help prevent blood platelets from
clumping together,13-16 control cholesterol
levels,17,18 and protect LDL cholesterol from
oxidative damage18,19Ņall factors that can
contribute to atherosclerosis. However, whether ginger can reduce
the risk for cardiovascular disease in humans has not been determined.
Dosage/Toxicity
The Commission E Monographs recommend a daily dosage of 2 to 4
grams of fresh dried rhizome, and there are no known side effects
at this dosage range.2 Extremely high doses
(more than 6 grams of dried rhizome or its equivalent per day)
may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.20 Ginger
has no known toxicity. |
