What Is the Herb Ginger?

Ginger is used in cooking and for medicinal purposes. Ginger is the common name for the Zingiber officinale plant. The plant's rhizome, or underground stem, is the part used. It is sold as a powder for cooking, as a supplement in capsules, as oil, in tinctures or dried, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. The fresh root can be used to make tea. Cooks also use dried and fresh ginger worldwide. Always talk to a health care professional before trying a new supplement or eating a food for medicinal purposes.

History

Since ancient times, Indian, Asian and Arabic healers have used ginger as an herbal remedy. Ancient Indians called it mabaousbadha or vishwabheshaja, meaning "the great medicine" and "the universal cure," according to the book, "Ginger," by P. N. Ravindran and K. Nirmal Babu. In China and Japan, it's among the best-known natural drugs used. Ginger has been added to dishes for its flavor for at least 4,400 years, according to University of Maryland Medical Center.

Ginger's stem rises about a foot above ground. It has green leaves that are long and narrow as well as yellowish-green or white flowers.

Geography

The ginger plant is native to Asia. In the United States, it does not grow on the mainland. It can grow in the U.S. territories Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, however, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plants Database.

Benefits

The National Institutes of Health gives ginger a "B" rating for treatment of vomiting and nausea associated with pregnancy, meaning there's good scientific evidence to back this use. Ginger also is regarded as a home remedy for indigestion, say Ravindran and Babu. It's often recommend for treatment or prevention of motion sickness, and nausea or vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, according to UMMC. People also use it for arthritis, though NIH says there's not enough scientific evidence to recommend for or against this use. Ginger also may help lower cholesterol. It also may have anti-cancer properties. However, more research is needed to determine if it actually provides such benefits, according to UMMC.

Medicinal Functions

Ginger's active medicinal components are phenol compounds like gingerols and shogaols, and its volatile oils, according to UMMC. The shagoals and gingerols provide the anti-emetic effects, meaning help with nausea and vomiting, says H. Abdel-Aziz, lead author for a study in the "European Journal of Pharmacology." Gingerols also provide antioxidant activity. Meanwhile, ginger oil may provide gastric protection, notes M. Khushtar, lead author for a study published in the "Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences."

Flavor Features

Ginger is one of the most popular food seasonings worldwide, thanks to its pungent taste and fresh aroma, according to "Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Food Factors," by S. Watanabe. You can buy it at the grocery store fresh, in powdered form, sliced or candied.