English name : Ginger

Sanskrit name: Aardrak

Family : Zingiberaceae

Part used : Rhizome

Traditional uses: It is used for abdominal pain, anorexia, arthritis, atonic dyspepsia, bleeding, cancer, chest congestion, chicken pox, cholera, chronic bronchitis, cold extremities, colic, colitis, common cold, cough, cystic fibrosis, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing, dropsy, fever, flatulence, indigestion, disorders of gallbladder, hyperacidity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, indigestion, morning sickness, nausea, rheumatism, sore throat, throat ache, stomach ache and vomiting. Ginger forms an important constituent of many Ayurvedic formulations.

Phytochemistry: The major nonvolatile pungent principles of Zingiber officinale are a series of phenolic compounds with side chains of varying length collectively known as “gingerols”. Among the gingerols 6-gingerol is major while 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol and their corresponding anhydro derivatives known as “shogaols” are minor constituents. Other pungent principles of the rhizomes are paradols, gingerdiols, gingerdiacetates, gingerdiones, 6-gingersulfonic acid, gingerenones etc. The rhizome also contains volatile oil with sesquiterpene hydrocarbons viz. a-zingiberene, ß-sesquiphellandrene and ar-curcumene as major constituents; diterpenes and gingerglycolipids A, B and C.

Pharmacology: Zingiber officinale has been evaluated for various pharmacological activities. Zingiber officinale is found to have, anti-nausea, anti-emetic and anti-ulcer properties. Zingiber officinale is been reported to have, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic activity. In addition it is reported to have hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and cardiotonic effect.

Marker constituents: Volatile oils, gingerols, shogaols.