Other Names: Imbir (Polish) • Saeng Gang (Korean) • Shokyo (Japanese) • Zenzero (Italian) Plant Family: Zingiberaceae
Ginger is a rhizome, not a root. A rhizome is an underground stem. It's is a part of the same family as turmeric and cardamom. Ginger ale is derived from an English ginger beer used in colonial America for diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.It is thought that Gingerbread was brought to Europe in 992 CE by the Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis. The term may refer to a cake, cookie, biscuit or bread made with ginger and came to the Americas with the Europeans. Gingerbread men was made popular by Queen Elizabeth I, who served then to foreign dignitaries.
Ginger is commonly available in most grocery stores. Studies show that dry ginger looses essential oil and compounds as compared to fresh ginger. However, this difference is leveraged in formulas using fresh gingers and dried ginger. Dried ginger is "hot" while fresh ginger is "warm".
Ginger is famous for coughs. It relieves coughs as a result of a common cold/flu, or coughs with mucus. However, it is counter productive to dry coughs. For dry coughs, Chuan Bei Mu is more effective. Ginger is also useful for food poisoning and nausea.
Ginger (Raw) is listed in the following pharmacopeias: German Commission E 1992 • Martindale Extra Pharmacopoeia 1972 • WHO 2000
Species
Blue-Ring Ginger
This variety has a light blue ring perimeter when sliced. They are believed to be juicier and has a lighter taste. They are less common and are typically more expensive. For example, the Bubba Baba ginger is a Hawaiian mix ($17/pound).
Common Ginger
Some call it yellow ginger. Common ginger cost between $2 to $3 per pound in Austin, TX. One can find fresh ginger at HEB, WholeFoods, or most Chinese stores.
Growth
PC: www.herbalkart.in/2017/08/sonth-sukku.html
Ginger is a perennial low maintenance plant. They can be grown in containers or in the ground. With some preparation, store purchased ginger can grow into plants. Here is a good website describing how easy it is. The key to higher production is rich soil.
Zingiberis officinalis is in the USDA Plant Database. Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:
Panax Ginseng – USDA Plant Database
Texas – USDA Plant Database
USA: Zingiberis officinalis is not found in the wild. USDA Zones: 9-12.
Native: Zingiberis officinalis in its current cultivar is not typically found in the wild
Habitats: Tropical areas
Remarks
Be cautions with all medicine. I generally use fresh ginger since it's available year round in grocery stores. I use it in soup, tea, stir fry, steamed ribs, and fish. I loved ginger candy as a child. I'm trying to grow ginger from a root I bought from a grocery store at the moment.Cold and flu - For cold, cough, and sore throat, I would cut large thin slices of ginger (5 or 6 slices) per single serving tea pot. I normally add some lemon, oranges or other flavored tea for variety. Let it steep for at least 5 minutes. I typically do about 3 serving with the same mix. Then I eat the ginger. If you prefer sweet tea, add honey, since that helps sooth the throat too. There are tons of recipes online for ginger soup (basically take your favorite soup and add ginger). Ginger is a stimulant and should be eaten at least 2-3 hours prior to bed time. Ginger and honey as a cough suppressant - cut ginger into slides. Mix with honey and eat like a salad. The heat from the ginger feels nice on the itching throat irritation. Both ginger and honey will help boost the body's immune system. Ginger is also an expectorant.
Contraindications: Lung heat • Dry cough • Phlegm heat • Full heat • Yin deficiency with heat • Vomiting from stomach heat • Gallstones • Exterior deficiency with unexplained sweating • Horse meat
Typical Dosage: 3-9 g. Best quality is large, full and young. Avoid wrinkled flesh/skin. Guidelines
Parts Used: Roots
Other:
Combine With
Purpose
Da Zao
Wind-cold, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain
Ban Xia
Vomiting, cough
Zhu Li
Cough and headache from heat generated phlegm
Zhu Ru
Vomiting from heat generated by stomach qi deficiency
Dui Yao Pair
Purpose
Sheng Jiang + Zhi Ban Xia
Vomiting, nausea, not thirsty, greasy tongue or persistent cough with white, thin but profuse phlegm
Formulas with Sheng Jiang
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang • Ban Xia Hou Po Tang • Bao Chan Wu You Fang • Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San • Cang Fu Dao Tan Tang • Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang • Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang • Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang • Cong Bai Qi Wei Yin • Da Chai Hu Tang • Da Qing Long Tang • Dao Tan Tang • Di Huang Yin Zi • Di Tan Tang • Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang • Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang • Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang • Fang Feng Tong Sheng San • Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang • Ge Gen Jia Ban Xia Tang • Ge Gen Tang • Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin • Gui Pi Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Fu Zi Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Ge Gen Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang • Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang • Gui Zhi Tang • He Ren Yin • Hou Po Wen Zhong tang • Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang • Huang Long Tang • Huang Qi Gui Zhu Wu Wu Tang • Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang • Huo Xiang Zhen Qi San • Ji Ming San • Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang • Juan Bi Tang • Ma HuangLian Qiao chi Xiao Dou Tang • Mu XiangBing Lang Wan • Nuan Gan Jian • Ping Wei San • Qing Fei Tang • Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan • Ren Shen Bai Du San • Ren Shen Hu Tao Tang • Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang • She GanMa Huang Tang • Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang • Shi Pi Yin • Shi Quan Da Bu Tang • Si Shen Wan • Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang • Wen Dan Tang • Wen Jing Tang • Wu Hu Tang • Wu Pi San • Wu Ji San • Wu Zhu Yu Tang • Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang • Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang • Xiao Ban Xia Tang • Xiao Chai Hu Tang • Xiao Jian Zhong Tang • Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Shi Tang • Xiao Chai Hu Tang • Xiao Jian Zhong Tang • Xiao Xu Ming Tang • Xiao Yao San • Xing Su San • Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Shi Tang • Yan Hu Suo Tang • Yue Bi Tang • Zai Zao San • Zhen Wu Tang • Zhi Gan Cao Tang • Zhi Zi sheng Jiang Chi Tang
Variations for Sheng Jiang
Pao Jiang (deep fried/ prepared ginger). Bitter. Better to warm the middle, meridians, and disperse cold
Pao Jiang Tan - better at stopping bleeding
Gan Jiang (dried ginger)- Pungent and hot. Warms the middle burner and better at alleviating interior cold and deficiency.
Sheng Jiang (raw ginger) - Pungent and warm. Better with relieving nausea, vomiting and exterior wind cold.
Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
Ginger contains coumarin and may cause overdose when used with anti-coagulant drugs.
Ginger interacts with metronidazole (antibiotic) by increasing toxicity of metronidazole. [more]
Do not use if suffering from gallstones since ginger promotes bile production
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs. Examples below:
Herbs: ♦ Anticoagulants: American Ginseng, Arnica, Rou Gui, Chamomile, Dan Shen, Dang Gui, Deertongue, Sheng Jiang, Goji Berry, Ginko Nutes, Notoginseng, Peach Kernel, Hong Hua, Sweet Clover, Vanilla Grass
Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience. While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts, variations may result from the numerous English translations. Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs. The information here is strictly for educational purposes.
Some call it yellow ginger. Common ginger cost between $2 to $3 per pound in Austin, TX. One can find fresh ginger at HEB, WholeFoods, or most Chinese stores.
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