Ginger

Photo: E. Stahl-Biskup

Botanical name

Ginger - Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Family

Ginger family (Zingiberaceae)

Useful information about the plant

Ginger is native to Southeast Asia and is now cultivated in many areas of the tropical belt. The spice came to Europe via Arab traders. In the 13th century the plant was brought by the Arabs in East Africa and in the 16th century by the Portuguese to West Africa. Ginger is a perennial herb, which is vegetatively propagated with its rhizomes (underground stems). From the tuberous rhizome sections of sterile, reed-like stem grow up to 1m long, which are covered by the sheaths of the 20cm long, linear-lanceolate leaves. Some shorter shoots bear inflorescences with terminal yellow flowers that have a purple lip.
The generic name Zingiber is a Sanskrit word "sringavera" = "with antlers"�, so the rhizome is described quite well. From the species name officinalis one can conclude that it is an old medicinal plant because the "officina" is the sales room of a pharmacy "officinalis" means it was used in pharmacies.

Medicinally used plant parts (drug)

The tuberous rhizome (rootstock) is used, the adherent threadlike roots are cut off. The rhizome should be cleaned and freed from the outer layer of cork, then dried in the sun.

Ingredients of the drug

Ginger contains an aromatic-smelling essential oil and non-volatile pungent substances (gingerols and shogaol).

Descriptions of the quality

The quality of the ginger rhizome (Zingiberis rhizoma) is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur). The quality of ginger tincture (Zingiberis tinctura) is specified in the German Drug Codex (DAC).

Medical Application

Recognised medical use

Internally for dyspeptic symptoms (diffuse abdominal pain), loss of appetite and to help fight the symptoms of travel sickness and as a postoperative antiemetic (Commission E, ESCOP).

Traditional use

Traditionally used to support the digestive system and to ease discomfort (traditional application acc. to § 109a).

Medicinal herbal preparations in finished drug products

• cut drug and dried extracts for making tea
• powdered drug in capsules
• alcoholic ginger extracts (including tincture) in combination with other drugs in extracts of tonic

Dosage

Prepared drugs: see package insert;
Tea infusion with dyspeptic complaints and to stimulate the appetite: 0.5 to 1g of ginger several times a day. To prevent travel sickness: Adults and children over 6 years old should take 0.5 to 2g of powdered ginger 30 minutes before departure.

Preparation of a tea infusion

Pour 150ml of boiling water over 0.5 to 1g of powdered or coarsely chopped ginger, let it stand covered 5 minutes, then strain through a sieve.

Advice

Only use ginger and ginger preparations for bilious complaints after consultation with the doctor. Do not use for morning sickness.

Side effects

None known

Interactions

None known

References

Drug monographs

Commission E, ESCOP, WHO (Vol. 1)

Further reading

Wichtl: Teedrogen und Phytopharmaka, pg. 717
Schilcher: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, pg. 129
Van Wyk: Handbuch der Arzneipflanzen, pg. 349
Kommentar zum Europäischen Arzneibuch (Ginger root, no. 1522)