The Ginger Plant

( Western and Chinese Herb )

Zingiber officinale

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Ginger plant is a tender perennial plant with a thick, fibrous, rhizome that is highly aromatic.

It grows to approximately three to five feet in height.

It has fragrant white flowers that are streaked with purple and grow in spikes and is widely cultivated in the tropical regions such as Asia, China, India, Nigeria, Australia, Haiti, and Jamaica.

It is mostly known in the West as a spice and a flavor. In China, it has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, such as toothache, stomachache, nausea, and rheumatism.

The Ginger plant has been found to be a powerful anti-oxidant and to have strong anti-inflammatory effect by modern research.

It has been used in cooking and for medicine since ancient times. Old herbal remedies such as ginger are revolutionizing the treatment of arthritis.

The remedies not only give symptomatic relief but actually intervene at the root of the problem and help the body to rebuild functioning joints.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Chinese:

Take internally for:

* vomiting

* abdominal pain

* menstrual irregularity

* coughs

Apply externally for:

* first and second degree burns

Western:

Take internally for:

* boosting the immune system

* motion sickness

* morning sickness

* digestive disorders

* menstrual cramps

* colds and flu

* inducing sweating

* arthritis

* muscle strains

* elevated cholesterol

* high blood pressure

PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE:

The Ginger plant is available as fresh or dried root, liquid extract, capsules, tablets, and prepared tea.

Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the fresh root and let it infuse for 5 minutes. Drink whenever needed.

Decoction: If you are using the dried root in powdered or finely chopped form, make a decoction by putting 1 ½ teaspoonfuls to a cup of water. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes. This can be drunk whenever needed.

Tincture: The tincture is available commercially in two forms; weak tincture, which should be taken in a dose of 1.3-3ml three times a day, and strong tincture which should be taken in a dose of 0.25-0.5 ml three times a day.

Parts used: Rhizome, oil extract, rootstock

Collection: The rootstock is dug up when the leaves on the plant have dried.

Constituents: Rich in volatile oil, resin

Actions: Stimulant, anti-septic, aromatic, diaphoretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

SIDE EFFECTS:

Not serious: Heartburn may result from taking ginger.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

* Consult a licensed healthcare professional before using ginger if you are pregnant.

* Some studies have showed that the ginger plant may help prevent heart disease and strokes by lowering blood pressure and reducing internal blood clotting.