botanical name(s): Zingiber officinale
synonyms: ginger
part(s) used: root stock, fresh or dried
qualities: very pungent, sweet, hot, dry
affinities: stomach, heart, circulatory system
actions: carminative, diaphoretic (especially in children), expectorant, sialagogue, spasmolytic, stimulant (especially circulatory), rubefacient, cardiac tonic (increases force of contraction), decreases serum cholesterol, decreases blood pressure in animals
dosage:
» decoction: half - 1 tbsp. fresh root to 1 cup water
» powder: 0.3 - 1 g.
» oleoresin: 15 - 60 mg.
» tincture: 1 - 3 ml.
specific indications: anorexia; flatulence; gastric and intestinal spasms; acute colds; painful menstruation; cold extremities (Felter and Scudder, p. 702)
therapy: flatulent colic; atonic conditions of the stomach and intestines; dysmenorrhea; ovarian neuralgia; uterine pain (Ellingwood, p. 280); cardiac tonic (increases the force of contraction), decreases serum cholesterol; poor circulation; fevers; colds; influenza; gastrointestinal disturbance: flatulence, colic, morning sickness (Anderson Geller)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating:
» fresh root: 1
» dried root: 2b, 2d
toxicity: 0
» contraindicated in gallstones due to its cholagogue effect (Wichtl)
» use with caution during pregnancy: potential emmenagogue, abortifacient; do not use more than 3-5 g of dried ginger per day during pregnancy; fresh ginger is not as problematic (Brinker, Bergner, Farnsworth)
» individuals with gallstones should consult a practitioner before using dried root (McGuffin)
constituents: volatile oil; pungent principles
footnotes
Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.
Bergner, Paul. Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies.
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.
Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.