Ginger: Uses, medicine, Synonyms, Effects, and Side Effects

The wild form of ginger is unknown; the form of the plant known today probably comes from Southeast Asia. The plant has been cultivated in China and India since ancient times, and since then, ginger has also played an essential role in traditional medicine in these countries. In addition, ginger is also cultivated in many other tropical and subtropical countries, which means that different types of plants have developed over time.

Jamaica ginger, Bengali ginger and Australian ginger are considered exceptionally high quality. The drug is mainly imported from southern China.

Using Ginger Roots

The fresh or dried rhizomes are used for medicinal and culinary purposes.

 

Ginger: characteristics of the plant

Ginger is a tropical plant that grows to about 1 m in height, and shoots develop from a branched rootstock (rhizome). The leaves are sometimes up to 20 cm long and lanceolate in shape.

The plant bears relatively inconspicuous yellow flowers in a dense, cone-like inflorescence.

Ginger: tuber with medicinal properties

The drug consists of flattened, branched rhizome pieces. The surface is finely striped lengthwise and yellowish to beige. While the surface of the fresh rhizomes is relatively smooth, the surface of the dried rhizomes is rather rough to the touch.

 

smell and taste of ginger

Ginger spreads a very aromatic, characteristic smell. The taste of ginger, when fresh, is spicy and burning hot. Ginger is, therefore, also a popular spice and is often used in Asian cuisine in particular.

Ginger – application

Ginger is mainly used to treat digestive problems such as flatulence or a feeling of fullness and also to treat loss of appetite.

Ginger can also alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness. Travel sickness or motion sickness is caused by unusual movements, for example, in a means of transport, and is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Medicinal use of ginger

By taking ginger, the symptoms associated with the gastrointestinal tract and dizziness can be reduced or eliminated. Traditionally, ginger rhizome is used to relieve discomfort and aid in digestion.

In China, ginger treats fever, cough, nausea, stomach pain and diarrhoea.

 

Ginger in folk medicine

Ginger was also discovered and used in folk medicine early on as a stomachic remedy and a means to promote digestion. Today, the plant is also used in folk medicine for certain forms of gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), indigestion and loss of appetite.

Since ginger is supposed to warm you from the inside, it is also used to treat colds. However, the central application area is the seasoning of food and drinks.

Homeopathic use of ginger

The homoeopathic use of ginger corresponds broadly to the classic use.

The plant is also used here to treat stomach weakness, flatulence and indigestion. Ginger is also used in homoeopathy to treat bronchial asthma and urinary retention.

 

ingredients of ginger

Ginger rootstock contains 1.5-3% essential oil with geranial, neral and zingiberol substances. The exact composition of the essential oil is influenced, among other things, by the origin and the type of ginger. Other essential active ingredients are non-volatile aromatic substances such as gingerol and school.

The spicy taste of ginger is mainly due to the gingerol content. The even hotter schools are formed when the drug is stored by dehydrating the gingerols. Zingiberol is primarily responsible for the characteristic ginger smell.

Ginger: for which indication?

The use of ginger is indicated in the following:

• indigestion
• indigestion
• gas
• bloating
• Diarrhea
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• travel sickness
• Kinetose
• nausea
• Vomit
• dizziness
• Gastritis

Ginger – Dosage

The usual form of taking ginger for therapeutic purposes is ginger tea. This is also available as a tea blend or in filter bags. The powdered drug is also available in capsule form.

In addition, many combination preparations in juices, candies, drops or even ointments contain ginger extracts. Eating ginger sticks probably has no therapeutic effect.

Ginger – the correct dose

The average daily dose is about 2-4 g of the drug.

Ginger should be stored dry and protected from light.

 

Ginger: Preparation as a tea

It is not expected to prepare your ginger tea. Under certain circumstances, however, 0.5-1 g of the coarsely powdered drug (1 teaspoon corresponds to about 3 g) can be poured with boiling water and passed through a tea strainer after 5 minutes.

To develop the nausea-relieving effect, 2 g of the freshly powdered drug can be taken with a bit of water.

When not to use ginger?

Ginger should not be used for vomiting during pregnancy since there have been no controlled studies and application observations to date. For gallstones, ginger should only be taken after consulting a doctor.

If taken over a long period or in high doses, ginger may affect blood clotting and blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, people with diabetes who take anticoagulant medication and people with high blood pressure should be cautious.

Discontinuation of ginger preparations before planned operations should also be considered in consultation with a doctor.

Ginger synonyms

German plant name: Ginger

German synonyms of the plant: Common Ginger

Latin plant name: Zingiber officinale

Latin synonyms of the plant: Zingiber officinalis, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiber officinale Roxburgh, Amomum angustifolium Salisb., Amomum Zingiber L., Zingiber zingiber (L.) Karst.

German drug name: ginger rootstock

German synonyms of the drug: Ginger

Latin drug name: Zingiberis rhizoma

English name: Ginger root (Droge); Ginger, Common ginger, Culinary ginger, Garden ginger, Jamaica ginger, True ginger (Pflanze)

Plant family Latin: Zingiberaceae

Plant family German: ginger family

 

Ginger – effect

The aromatic substances contained in ginger reflexly stimulate the heat receptors of the oral mucosa, which leads to the promotion of saliva and gastric juice secretion. Bile secretion is also indirectly promoted by this and other mechanisms. In humans, ginger also increases intestinal movement and has anti-inflammatory and blood pressure-lowering effects.

Ginger: Effect on the central nervous system

Ginger also appears to affect the central nervous system. By blocking specific receptors that react to the neurotransmitter serotonin, there is a nausea-reducing (antiemetic) effect.

 

Ginger: home remedies without side effects

There are currently no known side effects or interactions with other drugs.