Latin (botanical) name: Zingiber Officinale

Common names: Jamaica Ginger, African Ginger, Black Ginger, Race Ginger, Snakeroot, Canadian Wild Ginger, Ginger Root, Indian Ginger, False Coltsfoot

Plant Description: Ginger is a creeping perennial plant native to North American. It can be found growing in the woodlands of Kansas, North Carlina, and Tenessee. It prefers rich, moist, neutral to acid soils, and shade. It is also native to tropical Asia and cultivated in the West Indies, Africa and India. The aromatic, knotty rootstock is thick and fibrous, and white or cream-colored. It produces a simple, leafy stem with large heart or kidney-shaped leaves. The leaves, opposite in pairs, are dark green and fuzzy or hairy. They can be 8-10 inches long. The flowers form a bowl shape, and the petals, white with large streaks of maroon or burgundy, grow in spikes. Ginger blooms from March to May. The root is a long underground stem, or rhizome, light green and tender. When crushed it has a strong antiseptic smell.

Medicinal Properties & Uses:

Ginger has a diversity of uses. Widely used as an alternative medicine, wild Ginger contains the valuable constituent aristolochic acid. Studies show that it has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, antitumor activity, and that it even cures warts in some cases. Aristolochic is also oral contraceptive, spermicidal, and immunostimulant. It is a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal. It is well known for alleviating nausea due to motion sickness, pregnancy, and other reasons. It is also a digestive aid. It increases digestive enzymes which, in turn, increase the time it takes to digest food. Because Ginger inhibits certain prostaglandins, it is effective in alleviating the pain and reducing inflammation in arthritic joints. Research shows that its properties increase circulation and vasodilates blood to the peripheral tissues. It can warm the extremities, and promote sweating which detoxifies the body and helps sweat out a fever. High blood pressure may be lowered with the use of Ginger. Other constituents in the root are Alpha-Terpineol, Beta-Sitosterol, Geraniol, Methyl-Eugenol, and Limonene making it useful as a motor-depressant, sedative, and expectorant. It is also effective in treating many types of chest complaints, colds and flu, painful gas cramps, and colic in children. It can be used as a gargle to treat sore throat and laryngitis, sore gums, and bad breath. As it is highly antiseptic, Ginger can be made into a paste and used topically to treat skin infections, insect bites, and burns.

Dosage:10-30 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily, or as needed. Shake well before using.

Cautions & Interactions: Do not use during pregnancy. Keep out of reach
of children.

Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data:

* Systematic Review of Ginger Trials Yields "Promising" Outcome
* Ginger - A Review of Its Medicinal Uses

Helpful Links:

* American Herbal Products Assoc. - Ginger: Another Healthy Herb
* Rx List - Ginger Root FAQ
* Herb Research Foundation

Disclaimer (U.S. Only): These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.