Latin name: Zingiber officinale
Common name(s): African Ginger
Ginger was introduced to the Americas in the 16th century by the Spaniards. It became so popular in Great Britain that in the year 1884 they imported over 5 million pounds of ginger root. Ginger lowers cholesterol in the blood and it thins the blood as well. Ginger is used in respiratory and lung and chest clearing formulas because it is a excellent warm blood vascular stimulant and body cleansing herb.
Ginger is used in about half of medicinal formulas in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine because it is known as a universal medicine. The Romans listed it as a taxable item in 200 A.D. Ginger is a stout perennial with upright stems and branching rhizomes. It has lancolated leaves which grow in two ranks on either side of the stem. It produces Yellowish-green flowers that have deep purple, yellow tipped lips which grow in dense ovoid shaped spikes which are followed by fleshy capsules.
Ginger is warm pungent, sweet aromatic herb. It was first mentioned in Chinese medicine between 25 A.D. – 220 A.D during the later Han dynasty according to ‘Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas Vol. 1′ by Him-Che Yeung. Ginger increases perspiration and improves liver function. It also stimulates the circulation.
Ginger is an analgesic, antacid, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aperitive, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, nervine, rubefacient, sialagogue, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. Ginger is used in the first stages of a cold in China. It is excellent for treating morning sickness.
Hot ginger tea is excellent for arresting excessive menstrual flow and painful cramps and it increasing the flow of urine. It can also be drunk as a hot tea to treat rheumatism and Lumbago. It can be drank or eaten daily as an overall immune booster for the body because it is such an excellent stimulant to the immune system.
The Chinese use ginger to treat colds, coughs, diarrhea and vomiting. Ginger is use in soups, teas, syrups, sauces, curries, marinades, pickles, chutneys, meats and fish dishes. It can even be eaten raw as well. It is used as a flavoring in many commercial products such as cordials, teas and soft drinks such as ginger ale.
Ginger can be used to treat any of the following:
Bowels, chicken pox, childhood diseases, colds, colic, colon spasms, constipation, coughs, cramps, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dizziness, fatigue, fevers, flu, gas, headache, hemorrhage, indigestion, influenza, kidneys, learning problems, Menstrual cramps, morning sickness, motion sickness, mumps, nausea, paralysis, pelvic circulation, pneumonia, shock, sinus congestion, sinusitis, sore throat, stomach disorders, tongue paralysis, toothache, vagina, vomiting and whooping cough.