"Herbs" Ginger

One of the most common herb is "Ginger" and can be

found almost everywhere usually use for Asian culinary.

But other than being just a spice it also has medicina value.

Historical Background:

Ginger is native to India and China. It takes its name from

the Sanskrit word stringa-vera, which means “with a body

like a horn”, as in antlers. Ginger has been important in

Chinese medicine for many centuries, and is mentioned in

the writings of Confucius. It is also named in the Koran,

the sacred book of the Moslems, indicating it was known

in Arab countries as far back as 650 A.D. It was one of the

earliest spice known in Western Europe, used since the

ninth century. It became so popular in Europe that it was

included in every table setting, like salt and pepper.

A common article of medieval and Renaissance trade,

it was one of the spices used against the plague. In

English pubs and taverns in the nineteenth century,

barkeepers put out small containers of ground ginger,

for people to sprinkle into their beer the origin

of ginger ale. In order to ’gee up’ a lazy horse,

it is the time honored practice of Sussex farmers to apply

a pinch of ginger to the animal’s backside.

Culinary Uses

It is used in pickles, chutneys and curry pastes and

Fresh ginger is essential to Asian and oriental cookery.

the ground dried root is a constituent of many curry

powders. Tender young ginger can be sliced and

eaten as a salad. Sometimes the roots will produce

green sprouts which can be finely chopped and added

to a green salad. In the West, dried ginger is mainly

used in cakes and biscuits, especially ginger snaps and

gingerbread. Ginger is also used in puddings, jams,

preserves and in some drinks like ginger beer, ginger

wine and tea. Pickled ginger is a delicious accompaniment

and a colorful garnish to many Chinese dishes.

Preserved ginger is eaten as a confection, chopped up for

cakes and puddings, and is sometimes used as an ice

cream ingredient.

Medicinal Properties

Ginger has long been ascribed aphrodisiac powers
taken either internally or externally. It is
mentioned in the Karma Sutra, and in the Melanesian
Islands of the South Pacific it is employed ‘to
gain the affection of a woman’s. Conversely,
in the Philippines it is chewed to expel evil spirits.
Ginger is a known diaphoretic, meaning it causes
one to sweat. It was recorded that Henry VIII
instructed the mayor of London to use ginger’s
diaphoretic qualities as a plague medicine.
Ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness
as a digestive aid. By increasing the production of
digestive fluids and saliva, Ginger helps relieve
indigestion, gas pains, diarrhea and stomach cramping.
The primary known constituents of Ginger Root
include gingerols, zingibain, bisabolenel, oleoresins,
starch, essential oil, mucilage, and protein.
Ginger root is also used to treat nausea related
to both motion sickness and morning sickness. Ginger
has been found to be even more effective than Dramamine
in curbing motion sickness, without causing drowsiness.
Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain
and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis,
rheumatism and muscle spasms. Ginger’s therapeutic
properties effectively stimulate circulation of the
blood, removing toxins from the body, cleansing the
bowels and kidneys, and nourishing the skin. Other
uses for Ginger Root include the treatment of asthma,
bronchitis and other respiratory problems by loosening
and expelling phlegm from the lungs. Ginger Root may
also be used to help break fevers by warming the body
and increasing perspiration.

Ok, As mention ginger has been use for centuries.

in food as will as in medicine.

Benefits of using Ginger:

• Relieves rheumatic pains & muscle pains
• Alleviates sore throat, fever, nausea
• Intestinal disorders and slow digestion
• Treat intestinal worms
• Hinder diarrhea, gas pains
• Relieve indigestion (dyspepsia), toothaches
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Aids treatment of tuberculosis

Forms of Ginger Available

Ginger products are made from fresh or dried
ginger root, or from steam distillation
of the oil in the root. The herb is available
in extracts, tinctures, capsules, and oils.
Fresh ginger root can also be purchased and
prepared as a tea. And as mention Ginger is

also a common cooking spice and can be found

in a variety of foods and drinks, including ginger bread,
ginger snaps, ginger sticks, and ginger ale

Preparation:

• Boil the root in water and drink.
The more concentrated the better.

• For sore throat and tooth ache,
remove the skin and chew small portions.

• For cuts & bruises, apply the juice directly
to the skin.

• For rheumatism and muscle pains, pound
the root and apply to painful areas -can
be mixed with oil for easy application.

Dosage:

Pediatric

Ginger should not be used by children under
2 years of age. Ginger may be used by children
over 2 years of age to treat nausea, digestive
cramping, and headaches. Adjust the recommended
adult dose to account for the child’s weight.
Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated
on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Therefore,
if the child weighs 50 lb (20 - 25 kg), the
appropriate dose of ginger for this child would be
1/3 of the adult dosage.

Adult

In general, ginger intake should not exceed 4 grams
in one day (this includes the ginger obtained through
diet such as from ginger ale, ginger snaps, and ginger
bread). Usually, food sources contain no more than
0.5% ginger.

Standardized dose: Take 75 - 2,000 mg in divided
doses with food, standardized to contain 4% volatile
oils or 5% total pungent compounds including 6-gingerol
or 6-shogaol.

For nausea, gas, or indigestion: 2 - 4 grams of fresh
root daily (0.25 - 1.0 g of powdered root) or 1.5 -
3.0 mL (30 - 90 drops) liquid extract daily. To prevent
vomiting, take 1 gram of powdered ginger (1/2 tsp) or
its equivalent, every 4 hours as needed (not to exceed
4 doses daily), or 2 ginger capsules (1 gram), 3 times
daily. You may also chew a 1/4 oz piece of fresh ginger
when needed.

To relieve arthritis pain: Take fresh ginger juice, extract,
or tea, 2 - 4 grams daily. Topical ginger oil may also be
rubbed into a painful joint. Fresh ginger root may also be
placed in a warm poultice or compress and apply to painful
areas.

For cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, headache and
menstrual cramps: Steep 2 tbsp of freshly shredded ginger
in hot water, 2 - 3 times daily. A drop of ginger oil or a
few slices of fresh rhizome may also be placed in steaming
water and inhaled.

Precautions

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach
to strengthening the body and treating disease.
Herbs, however, contain components that can
trigger side effects and interact with other
herbs, supplements, or medications. For these
reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under
the supervision of a health care provider
qualified in the field of botanical medicine.

Side effects associated with ginger are rare, but
if taken in excessive doses the herb may cause mild
heartburn. Some of the mild gastrointestinal side
effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset,
may be relieved by taking ginger supplements in capsules.

People with gallstones should consult a doctor before
taking ginger. Make sure to tell your doctor if you are
taking ginger and will be going to surgery or placed
under anesthesia for any reason. Do not take ginger if

you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood

thinning medications, including aspirin.

Possible Interactions

Ginger may alter the effects of some prescription and
non-prescription medications. If you are currently
being treated with any of the following medications,
you should not use ginger without first talking to
your health care provider.

Blood-thinning medications

Although ginger may interfere with blood clotting,
there have been no scientific or case reports of interactions
between ginger and blood-thinning medications, such as
aspirin and warfarin. However, people taking medications
that thin the blood should use ginger only under the
supervision of a health care provider.

I Think that sums up everything. Hope this help you in anyway.

If you want to know more about ginger and other herbs

Just visits these site.

http://nccam.nih.gov

http://www.umm.edu

http://www.theepicentre.com

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