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Ginger information pageBoth Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have been using ginger for centuries, and forms part of their way of treating illnesses. Its botanical name is Zingiber officinale and in Chinese medicine is referred to as Sheng Jiang.
The ginger plant grows in various parts of the world such as India, Asia, Africa and the West Indies. The rhizomes and roots of the plant and used and it is used in herbal remedies for cleansing of the colon, cramps, stimulating circulation, bowel disorders, fever, hot flashes, muscle aches, reducing allergies, indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting, and because of its anti-microbial properties is also used for sores and wounds. In Chinese medicine it is classified as a warming herb, which affects the channels of the Spleen, Stomach and Lungs and is indicated for nausea, headaches, vomiting, poor digestion as well as colds, nasal discharge and coughing. In Ayurvedic medicine ginger is used to balance the doshas (which is the three organizing principles providing for homeostasis in Ayurvedic medicine), sort out symptoms of colds and other viral infections, enhancing digestion, stimulating appetite and lessening arthritis. In the West Indies ginger is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections while Nigerian herbal practitioners use ginger for the treatment of malaria and yellow fever. In more western remedies it is used for nausea, headaches, colds, flu, fever, motion sickness and as an anti-inflammatory. In a study done on women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis is was found that ginger helped to lessen the pain and inflammation. These anti-inflammatory properties also suggest that ginger can be helpful with easing bronchial constriction during allergies and colds. Some studies indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger are achieved by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism in both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Ginger contains a host of compounds like acrid resins, bisabolene, borneol, camphene, choline, cineole, citral, folic acid, gingerol, inositol, manganese, pantothenic acid, PABA, phellandrene, sesquiterpene, shogoals, silicon, zingerone, zingiberene and vitamin B3. Contra-indicationsGinger can cause stomach distress if taken in large quantities, and also acts as a menstrual stimulant and potential abortifacient, although small quantities are considered safe for pregnant women. Ginger should not be taken orally if you suffer from stomach or duodenal ulcers. Ginger is contained in the following Zest for Life products
ProductsNutritional information Zest for Life supplements
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