Ginger- Zingiber Officinalis
This magnificent golden herb has saved me from various ailments. Ginger is versatile. This contortionist herb can go on anything and can alleviate almost any ailment. From a cold, to an affected painful area, to skincare, and bodily care. A tremendous ally. An herb to be reckoned with.
What Makes Ginger Stand Out
When I was sick, I made a ginger decoction of ginger and added a slice of fresh lemon. I drank that ginger tea, along with elderberry syrup & juice, for 3 days. That ginger tea did more for my body’s recovery from the cold than an emergency room visit and a round of antibiotics every could. To this very day, I always have a glass jar of fresh ginger in the fridge.
Monograph
Botanical Name: Zingiber Officinalis
Common Name: Jamaica ginger, black ginger, race ginger, African ginger, Sheng Jian (Chinese), Singabera (Sanskrit)
Family Name: Zingiberaceae
Plant Parts Used: Fresh or dried rhizome
Constitution: Fresh ginger (Hot and wet); Dried Ginger (Hot and dry)
Taste: Pungent
Key Actions: Antiemetic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, aphrodisiac, carminative, circulatory stimulant, condiment, diaphoretic (hot), emmenagogue, inhibits coughing, pungent, rubefacient, sialagogue, sternutatory
Plant Preparations: Bolus, capsule, essence, essential oil, decoction, fluid extract, infusion, liniment, oil, plaster, poultice, powder, tincture and syrup
Cautionary Pearls: Do not use in medicinal dose if suffering from peptic ulcers. Do not take essential oil internally except under professional supervision
Self-Help Uses: Bronchitis, chilblains, cholera, colic, congestion, colds, diarrhea, dyspepsia (atonic), flatulence (suppressed gas), flu, & fever, cold sores, constipation, digestive upsets, gas & colic, headache, hemorrhage of the lungs, high blood pressure & arteriosclerosis, morning sickness, nausea & motion sickness, and neuralgia. Other: Boils, gout (atonic), griping, menstruation, paralysis of the tongue, reproductive problems, sore throat, and toothache.
Related Species: There are various Zingiber species used medicinally but no other has the same benefits as ginger. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a close relative.
References (Books/Author/Page):
- Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine/Andrew Chevallier/Pg. 155
- School of Natural Learning/John R Christopher/Pg. 416-419
- The Way of the Herbs/Michael Tierra/Pg. 78
- The New Age Herbalist/Richard Mabey/Pg. 128
- The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal/David Hoffman/Pg. 165
Pertinent Information
Ginger’s therapeutic benefits are due to the ginger’s volatile oil and oleoresin content. Gingerol, an acrid constituent, is responsible for the herb’s hot taste and stimulating properties. Shogaols, a key constituent that forms as the herb dries, are more irritant and acrid than the constituents present in the fresh rhizome.
As a spice and a flavoring, ginger is one of the world’s best medicines. Ginger brings relief to digestion caused by motion sickness, morning sickness, and other causes.
As a carminative herb, it promotes gastric secretion making it an excellent remedy for digestive complaints such as is used in indigestion, nausea, dyspepsia, flatulence and colic. As a gargle, it may be effective in relieving sore throats.
Ginger is highly effective for motion sickness, useful for relieving postoperative nausea. Its warming and stimulating properties promotes gastric secretion, aiding in the absorption of food and bowel movements.
Ginger stems and rhizomes are crystallized into candy and used as an effective drug for traveling sickness.
As an important circulatory remedy, ginger stimulates peripheral circulation and helps blood flow up to the surface, making it an important remedy in cases of chilblains, cramps, and bad/poor circulation (especially to the hands and feet). Ginger hand and foot baths can help with cold hands and feet too.
Ginger is a milder stimulant. By improving circulation, ginger stimulates the heart which helps with blood pressure.
Externally, ginger is the base of many fibrositis and muscle sprain treatments. It is also applied as a fomentation for the treatment of pain, inflammation and stiff joints. Fresh grated ginger combined with equal parts of olive or sesame oil can be massaged into skin for muscle pain relief. The infused ginger oil can also be applied to the head for dandruff. A few drops of the ginger oil on a wad of cotton inserted into the ear is good for treating earaches. Ginger juice or tea is massaged into scalp in order to stimulate hair growth.
