Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale

Type: Root Spice

Well renowned throughout the world for its culinary and medicinal value, Ginger has long held a place in Ayurveda,Traditional Chinese and various other Asian medical systems. This powerful spice is now being explored by modern day scientists for their numerous health benefits.

Some Beneficial Properties

Gastrointestinal Relief
Gastrointestinal issues like Indigestion and Nausea often begin within the digestive tract and Ginger has been shown not only to aid digestion1,2 but is also effective in alleviating Nausea and its symptoms like vomitting and motion sicknesss3

Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is the body`s natural response to injuries and infections .While this is how the body rectifies itself, complications may arise when it becomes long term and persistent. Chronic Inflammation has been linked to a variety of ailments and potent compounds such as Gingerols in Ginger, are believed to have anti-inflammatory4,5 and pain relieving6,7effects.

Antioxidant
Ginger root contains a very high level of total antioxidants8. Both antioxidants and free radicals are present in our bodies at all times. However, exposure to pollutants,cigarette smoke, radiation or a poor diet may cause an inbalance.An excess of highly reactive and unstable free radicals are known to trigger a number of diseases. Antioxidants may prevent or delay certain types of cell damage by removing these free radicals from the bloodstream9.

1: Wu KL, Rayner CK, Chuah SK, Changchien CS, Lu SN, Chiu YC, Chiu KW, Lee CM. (2008)
Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humans.
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 May;20(5):436-40. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e3282f4b224.
PubMed PMID: 18403946.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18403946

2: Micklefield GH, Redeker Y, Meister V, Jung O, Greving I, May B. (1999)
Effects of ginger on gastroduodenal motility. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1999
Jul;37(7):341-6. PubMed PMID: 10442508.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10442508

3 : Ernst E, Pittler MH. (2000)
Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Br J Anaesth. 2000 Mar;84(3):367-71. Review. PubMed PMID: 10793599.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10793599

4: Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG. (2005)
Ginger--an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions.
J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):125-32. Review. PubMed PMID: 16117603.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16117603

5: Zick SM, Turgeon DK, Vareed SK, Ruffin MT, Litzinger AJ, Wright BD, Alrawi S, Normolle DP, Djuric Z, Brenner DE. (2011)
Phase II study of the effects of ginger root extract on eicosanoids in colon mucosa in people at normal risk for colorectal cancer.
Cancer Prev Res (Phila). Nov;4(11):1929-37. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-11-0224. Epub 2011 Oct 11.
PubMed PMID: 21990307; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3208778.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21990307

6: Black CD, Herring MP, Hurley DJ, O'Connor PJ. (2010)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise.
J Pain. Sep;11(9):894-903.doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.12.013.
Epub 2010 Apr 24. PubMed PMID: 20418184.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20418184

7 : Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. (1992)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders.
Med Hypotheses. 1992 Dec;39(4):342-8.
PubMed PMID: 1494322.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1494322

8 : Halvorsen BL, Holte K, Myhrstad MC, Barikmo I, Hvattum E, Remberg SF, Wold AB, Haffner K, Baugerød H, Andersen LF, Moskaug Ø, Jacobs DR Jr, Blomhoff R. (2002)
A systematic screening of total antioxidants in dietary plants. J Nutr.
2002 Mar;132(3):461-71. PubMed PMID: 11880572.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11880572

9 : Lobo, V., Patil, A., Phatak, A., & Chandra, N. (2010).
Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health.
Pharmacognosy Reviews, 4(8), 118–126.
http://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.70902