Zingiber officinale.   Ginger   Family: Zingiberaceae        

生 姜 Shēng jiāng   Fresh ginger rhizome- Harvested before the Winter solstice (shortest day of the year)    
Nature: Warm     FLAVOR: Acrid, pungent   CHANNEL: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Exterior Clearing- Warming
1. Clears the exterior and disperses Cold.[6] Diaphoretic- Induce perspiration to expel exogenous Cold from the body surface.[4,5,6]
2. Harmonize and Warm the middle Heater to dispel Cold-[1,4,6] to stop vomiting and detoxify.[4,6] Dispel Cold.[5] Stop vomiting.[5]
3. Disperses Cold and stops coughing.[6] Warm the Lung to relieve cough. Assist in expelling sputum.
4. Reduces toxicity of other herbs.[6]
INDICATIONS
1. External Wind Cold-[6] Common cold of Wind Cold type.[3]  Wind Cold cough.[6]  Cough.[3] Relieve asthma.[5] Moist cough.[1] Chronic Lung disorders with phlegm.[6]
2. Vomiting and abdominal pain due to Stomach/Spleen Cold:[1,3,4,6] Abdominal swelling and diarrhea caused by Cold.[1] Diarrhea.[5] Blockage in the Upper Heater- Heart problems, vomiting.[4]
3. Yang deficiencies: P- slow, cold extremities.[1,4] Deficient Cold Stomach.[1]
4. Poisoning due to fish, crab. Use Pinellia ternata- Ban xia and Arisaema conanguineum root- Tian nan xing. For preventing the poisoning, cook the fish and crab with Ginger, Pinellia root and Arisaematis root. Poisoning due to meat or fish. Treating overdosed of other herbs such as Aconitum carmichaeli- Fu zi or Pinellia ternata- Ban xia.[6]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hot Lungs with dry coughing and for vomiting caused by Heat in the Stomach.[4,6] Yin Deficiency.[2] Internal heat.[2]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
COMBINATIONS
- External Wind Cold, with Ziziphus jujuba- Da zao- Red date. Also for allevaiting epigastric pain, nausea, and voiting by strengthening the Spleen Qi. This combination protects the Stomach Qi and reduces irritation of the gastrointestinal tract by other herbs.[6]
- Vomiting, and for productive cough due to Dampness, with Pinellia ternata- Ban xia.[6]
PREPARATIONS: Decoction  Fresh rhizome  3-10 g.[2,3,4,6] 1-5 g.[1] Good quality is large, full, and young.


NOTES: In everyday cooking, fesh tender Ginger is used, but when used for therapeutic purposes, fresh old ginger gives better effects. Fesh ginger, also called "baby Ginger" is available in Chinese shops seasonally, usually in June and July and can be used to make Ginger pickles; old Ginger, hown as "mother Ginger", is difficult to chew and usually available in Chinese markets[5]. Dried Ginger, available in herbs shops, is normally used as herb; when fresh old ginger is peeled and put under the sun to dry, it becomes dried Ginger with a Hot Energy instead of a Warm Energy.[5]
姜 汁 Jiāng zhī  Ginger juice    
FUNCTIONS
1. Resolve phlegm and relieve constipation.[4]
2. Drink it with orange juice to heal motion sickness, hiccup, or vomiting, it is also effective at counteracting food poisoning.[3,5]
生 姜 削 皮 Shēngjiāng xiāo pí Ginger peelings/skin      
FUNCTIONS
1. Moderate the Spleen and promote diuresis.[1,4]
2. Promote urination and reduce edema.[6]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
干 姜 Gān jiāng  Dried ginger    
Nature- hot, warm  FLAVOR: Acrid/Pungent CHANNEL: Spleen, Stomach., Lung. Heart, Kidney
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Warm the interior and Expel Cold
1. Warm interior.
2. Stop vomiting and strengthen Stomach.[4]
3. Recuperate the depleted Yang and dredge the channels.
4. Warm the Lung and eliminate sputum.[4]
5. Stimulates Blood circulation and stops bleeding.[4] Increase low blood pressure.[4]
INDICATIONS
1. Cold deficiency of middle Heater:[3,4,5] Cold pain in the lower abdomen, and diarrhea of Cold type, vomiting, hiccough, lots of saliva. T- body pale, coated. P- slow retarded. Chronic gastritus, colitus or indigestion.[4]
2. Yang deficiency- S/S Cold extremities. P- Slow. Warming up the channels and stop bleeding for digestive tract ulcer, uterine avalanche bleeding.[4]
3. Phlegm retention of Lung Cold type:[4] S/S cough and thin expectoration, excessive phlegm, shortness of breath, asthma. Chronic bronchitis.[4]
4. Cold limbs.[3,5] Damp rheumatism.[2,5]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hot conditions.[4] Pregnancy.[4]
REMARKS: Dried ginger, available in herb shops, is ginger peeled and put out in the sun to dry. It gains hot energy rather than warm.[2]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Yin deficiency and internal Heat, pregnancy.[2]
PREPARATIONS: Decoction 3-10 g.[3] Decoction 1.5-4 g.
Dissolve 7 g dried ground ginger in warm water and drink each time, once a day, to relieve diarrhea with discharge of very watery stools.[2]
Baked ginger    
Nature- hot, warm   FLAVOR: Bitter, acrid CHANNEL: Spleen, Liver
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Promoting Blood circulation and removing Blood stasis
1. Warm the channels to stop bleeding. Warm and stop bleeding.[1]
2. Warm the channels to alleviate pain.
INDICATIONS
1. Hematemesis, hemafecia, hemoptysis and metrorrhagia of asthenia Cold type.
2. Abdominal pain and postpartum abdominal pain of asthenia- Cold type.
PREPARATIONS:  Decoction 3-6 g. Powder 1-2 g.[3]
NOTE: Actions of toasted Ginger somewhat weaker than roasted Ginger.[1]
Ginger peels tend to moderate the Spleen and promote diuresis; ginger juice tends to resolve phlegm and relieve constipation.[1]
姜 芽 Jiāng yá, Chang di   Ginger sprouts    
Nature: neutral     FLAVOR: Acrid, unpleasant odour
FUNCTIONS
1. Vermicidal, it also eliminates marasmus (as the result).[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Marasmus (emaciation and wasting due to malnutrition)and  helminthiasis and related diarrhea/dysentery.[1]
PREPARATIONS: Decoction 3-6 g.[1]
ORIGIN: Grown throughout China, especially Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangdong.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents.
Research.
Gingerol and shogaol have been shown to suppress gastric contaction.[1]
Studies have shown capsules of dried ginger rhizome have been superior to an antihistamine- dimenhydrinate 100 mg, in preventing the gastrointestinal symptoms of motion sickness.[2]
Both fresh and dried rhizome suppress gastric secretion and reduce vomiting.[3]
Gingerols and shogaols also have sedative, antipyretic, analgesic and transient hypotensive actions,[4] reduce bowel activity by inhibiting the synthesis of PGF2a in the bowel.[5] They are also hepatoprotective, the activity depending on the chain length jwith the gingerols being more active than the homologous shogaols.[6]
Ginger is anticonvulsive and hypocholesterolaemic.[7,8]
Clinical work in China has confirmed the usefulness of an injected preparation of giner in treating rheumatic pain and lumbago. It was also demonstrated in animal tests.[9]
References
[1] Suckawa, M. et al. (1984) J. Pharmacobio.-Dyn7 (11), 836
[2] Mowrey, D. B. and Clayson, D. E. (1982) Lancet ii, 655
[3] Kasahara, Y. and Hikino, H. (1983) Shoyakugaku Zasshi 37, 73
[4] Abdurada, M. et al. (1982) Proc. Symp. Wakan-Yaku 15, 162
[5] Kikuchi, F. et al. (1982) Chem. Pharm. Bull. 30, 754
[6] Wagner, H. in "Advances in Chinese Medicinal Materials Research", Eds H. M. Chang et al. Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore
[7] Sugaya, A. et al. (1975) Shoyakugaku Zasshi 29, 160
[8] Gujral, S. et al. (1978) Nutr. Rep. Int. 17, 183
[9] Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica Vol 1, Ed. H. Chan and P. But, Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore
Ginger--an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions.
Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG.
Abstract
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have been known and valued for centuries. During the past 25 years, many laboratories have provided scientific support for the long-held belief that ginger contains constituents with antiinflammatory properties. The original discovery of ginger's inhibitory effects on prostaglandin biosynthesis in the early 1970s has been repeatedly confirmed. This discovery identified ginger as an herbal medicinal product that shares pharmacological properties with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ginger suppresses prostaglandin synthesis through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. An important extension of this early work was the observation that ginger also suppresses leukotriene biosynthesis by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase. This pharmacological property distinguishes ginger from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This discovery preceded the observation that dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase may have a better therapeutic profile and have fewer side effects than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The characterization of the pharmacological properties of ginger entered a new phase with the discovery that a ginger extract (EV.EXT.77) derived from Zingiber officinale (family Zingiberaceae) and Alpina galanga (family Zingiberaceae) inhibits the induction of several genes involved in the inflammatory response. These include genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, and the inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase-2. This discovery provided the first evidence that ginger modulates biochemical pathways activated in chronic inflammation. Identification of the molecular targets of individual ginger constituents provides an opportunity to optimize and standardize ginger products with respect to their effects on specific biomarkers of inflammation. Such preparations will be useful for studies in experimental animals and humans. J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):125-32. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and rheumatic disorders.
Srivastava KC, Mustafa T.
Abstract
Oxygenation of arachidonic acid is increased in inflamed tissues. In this condition products of two enzymic pathways--the cyclooxygenase and the 5-lipoxygenase producing respectively prostaglandins and leukotrienes--are elevated. Of the cyclooxygenase products, PGE2 and of the lipoxygenase products, LTB4 are the strongest candidates for mediating inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which inhibit the cyclooxygenase, and corticosteroids are used to treat such disorders. Both types of drugs produce adverse side-effects on prolonged use. Ginger is reported in Ayurvedic and Tibb systems of medicine to be useful in rheumatic disorders. Seven patients suffering from such disorders reported relief in pain and associated symptoms on ginger administration.
PMID: 2501634  
Med Hypotheses. 1989 May;29(1):25-8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on glycemic markers in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Shidfar F, Rajab A, Rahideh T, Khandouzi N, Hosseini S, Shidfar S.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the functional foods which contains biological compounds including gingerol, shogaol, paradol and zingerone. Ginger has been proposed to have anti-cancer, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, hypolipidemic and analgesic properties. Here, we report the effect of ginger supplementation on glycemic indices in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes.
METHODS:
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 20-60 -year-old patients with type 2 diabetes who did not receive insulin. Participants in the intervention and control groups were received 3 g of powdered ginger or placebo (lactose) (in capsules) daily for 3 months. Glycemic indices, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum paraoxonase, dietary intake and physical activity were measured at the beginning and end of the study, and after 12 h fasting.
RESULTS:
Comparison of the indices after 3 months showed that the differences between the ginger and placebo groups were statistically significant as follows: serum glucose (-19.41 ± 18.83 vs. 1.63 ± 4.28 mg/dL, p < 0.001), HbA1c percentage (-0.77 ± 0.88 vs. 0.02 ± 0.16%, p < 0.001), insulin (-1.46 ± 1.7 vs. 0.09 ± 0.34 µIU/mL, p < 0.001), insulin resistance (-16.38 ± 19.2 vs. 0.68 ± 2.7, p < 0.001), high-sensitive CRP (-2.78 ± 4.07 vs. 0.2 ± 0.77 mg/L, p < 0.001), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) (22.04 ± 24.53 vs. 1.71 ± 2.72 U/L, p < 0.006), TAC (0.78 ± 0.71 vs. -0.04 ± 0.29 µIU/mL, p < 0.01) and MDA (-0.85 ± 1.08 vs. 0.06 ± 0.08 µmol/L, p < 0.001) were significantly different.
CONCLUSIONS:
This report shows that the 3 months supplementation of ginger improved glycemic indices, TAC and PON-1 activity in patients with type 2 diabetes.
PMID: 25719344 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2014-0021  J Complement Integr Med. 2015 Jun;12(2):165-70. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2014-0021. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The influence of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on human sperm quality and DNA fragmentation: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.
Hosseini J, Mardi Mamaghani A, Hosseinifar H, Sadighi Gilani MA, Dadkhah F, Sepidarkish M.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Although the effectiveness of ginger as an antioxidant agent has been exploited, little human research has been conducted on its activity on male reproductive functions.
OBJECTIVE:
This study was designed to investigate the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in infertile men.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation was performed on 100 infertility treatment candidates who were admitted to Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, Tehran, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments: ginger and placebo. Patients were given a 3-month oral treatment (members received capsules containing 250 mg of ginger powder twice a day in ginger and a placebo in other group). Before and after treatment, standardized semen samples were obtained to determine sperm concentration, motility, and SDF according to World Health Organization.
RESULTS:
There was no significant difference between two groups regarding SDF at baseline (53.48. 95%CI: 37.95-69.02) in cases and (56.75, 95%CI: 40.01-73.5) in controls. The average positive percentage of SDF in patients receiving ginger (17.77, 95%CI: 6.16-29.39) was lower compared with placebo (40.54, 95%CI: 23.94-57.13) after three month of treatment (p=0.02). In multivariate analysis, SDF was significantly lower in patients receiving ginger compared with placebo (mean difference: 3.21, 95%CI: 0.78-5.63, p=0.009). There were no significant differences between two groups regarding to semen parameters.
CONCLUSION:
The present study has demonstrated that ginger in a controlled study of efficacy was effective in decreasing SDF in infertile men.
KEYWORDS:
DNA fragmentation; Ginger; Infertility; Male; Semen analysis
PMID: 27679829 PMCID: PMC5015668  Int J Reprod Biomed (Yazd). 2016 Aug;14(8):533-40. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders.
Srivastava KC1, Mustafa T.
Abstract
One of the features of inflammation is increased oxygenation of arachidonic acid which is metabolized by two enzymic pathways--the cyclooxygenase (CO) and the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO)--leading to the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes respectively. Amongst the CO products, PGE2 and amongst the 5-LO products, LTB4 are considered important mediators of inflammation. More than 200 potential drugs ranging from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, gold salts, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, methotrexate, cyclosporine are being tested. None of the drugs has been found safe; all are known to produce from mild to serious side-effects. Ginger is described in Ayurvedic and Tibb systems of medicine to be useful in inflammation and rheumatism. In all 56 patients (28 with rheumatoid arthritis, 18 with osteoarthritis and 10 with muscular discomfort) used powdered ginger against their afflictions. Amongst the arthritis patients more than three-quarters experienced, to varying degrees, relief in pain and swelling. All the patients with muscular discomfort experienced relief in pain. None of the patients reported adverse effects during the period of ginger consumption which ranged from 3 months to 2.5 years. It is suggested that at least one of the mechanisms by which ginger shows its ameliorative effects could be related to inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis, i.e. it works as a dual inhibitor of eicosanoid biosynthesis.
PMID: 1494322  Med Hypotheses. 1992 Dec;39(4):342-8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale (Roscoe) rhizomes (Zingiberaceae) in mice and rats.
Ojewole JA.
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to investigate the analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of Zingiber officinale dried rhizomes ethanol extract (ZOE) in mice and rats. The analgesic effect of ZOE was evaluated by 'hot-plate' and 'acetic acid' analgesic test methods in mice; while the antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of the plant extract were investigated in rats, using fresh egg albumin-induced pedal oedema, and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus models. Morphine (MPN, 10 mg/kg), diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg) and chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs for comparison. ZOE (50-800 mg/kg i.p.) produced dose-dependent, significant (p < 0.05-0.001) analgesic effects against thermally and chemically induced nociceptive pain in mice. The plant extract (ZOE, 50-800 mg/kg p.o.) also significantly (p < 0.05-0.001) inhibited fresh egg albumin-induced acute inflammation, and caused dose-related, significant (p < 0.05-0.001) hypoglycaemia in normal (normoglycaemic) and diabetic rats. The findings of this experimental animal study indicate that Zingiber officinale rhizomes ethanol extract possesses analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties; and thus lend pharmacological support to folkloric, ethnomedical uses of ginger in the treatment and/or management of painful, arthritic inflammatory conditions, as well as in the management and/or control of type 2 diabetes mellitus in some rural Africa communities.
PMID: 16807883 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1952  Phytother Res. 2006 Sep;20(9):764-72. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective effects of ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizome on the development of metabolic syndrome in high-fat diet-fed rats.
Nammi S, Sreemantula S, Roufogalis BD.
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome, including obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance that predisposes type 2 diabetes is a major disease problem around the world and a plethora of herbal medicines are claimed to be effective in controlling these disorders. The rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae) is commonly used as a spice in various foods and beverages. Apart from its other traditional medical uses, Z. officinale has been used to control diabetes and dyslipidaemia. In the present study, the protective effects of an ethanolic extract of Z. officinale on the development of metabolic syndrome were investigated in a high-fat diet-fed rat model at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The marked rise in body weights, glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in serum of the rats that followed 6 weeks of high-fat diet treatment were significantly reduced by Z. officinale treatment. However, no significant change in serum HDL cholesterol was observed either with high-fat diet or Z. officinale compared to both control groups. The present results provide scientific evidence to substantiate the traditional use of Z. officinale in preventing metabolic disorders.
PMID: 19413656 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2008.00362.x  Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2009 May;104(5):366-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2008.00362.x. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Zingiber officinale (ginger)--an antiemetic for day case surgery.
Phillips S, Ruggier R, Hutchinson SE.
Abstract
The effect of powdered ginger root was compared with metoclopramide and placebo. In a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was measured in 120 women presenting for elective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery on a day stay basis. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was similar in patients given metoclopramide and ginger (27% and 21%) and less than in those who received placebo (41%). The requirement for postoperative antiemetics was lower in those patients receiving ginger. The requirements for postoperative analgesia, recovery time and time until discharge were the same in all groups. There was no difference in the incidence of possible side effects such as sedation, abnormal movement, itch and visual disturbance between the three groups. Zingiber officinale is an effective and promising prophylactic antiemetic, which may be especially useful for day case surgery.
Comment in Mechanism of antiemetic effect of ginger. [Anaesthesia. 1993]
PMID: 8214465  Anaesthesia. 1993 Aug;48(8):715-7. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and tolerability of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in patients of osteoarthritis of knee.
Paramdeep G.
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder of synovial joints and a common cause of locomotor disability. NSAIDs are routinely used for symptomatic treatment and are associated with side effects which have led to the increased interest towards alternative treatment options. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ginger in management of OA. Sixty patients of OA of knee were enrolled in randomized open label study and divided into three groups of 20 each. Group I received tab. Diclofenac 50 mg and cap. placebo, group II received cap. ginger 750 mg and cap. placebo and group III received cap. ginger 750 mg and tab. diclofenac 50 mg. The assessment of efficacy was done at every 2 weeks till 12 weeks, by using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the safety assessment was done by noting adverse events during the study. The analysis of WOMAC score and VAS score in all the three groups showed statistically significant improvement with time in all groups. On comparison among three groups, group III patients who received both ginger and diclofenac showed numerically superior improvement than the individual treatments. There was no statistically significant difference among three groups in case of adverse events. Ginger powder has add-on effect on reducing the symptoms of OA of knee with acceptable safety profile.
PMID: 24617168  Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Apr-Jun;57(2):177-83. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Zingiber officinale (ginger) compounds have tetracycline-resistance modifying effects against clinical extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.
Wang HM, Chen CY, Chen HA, Huang WC, Lin WR, Chen TC, Lin CY, Chien HJ, Lu PL, Lin CM, Chen YH.
Abstract
Extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB) is a growing and serious nosocomial infection worldwide, such that developing new agents against it is critical. The antimicrobial activities of the rhizomes from Zingiber officinale, known as ginger, have not been proven in clinical bacterial isolates with extensive drug-resistance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four known components of ginger, [6]-dehydrogingerdione, [10]-gingerol, [6]-shogaol and [6]-gingerol, against clinical XDRAB. All these compounds showed antibacterial effects against XDRAB. Combined with tetracycline, they showed good resistance modifying effects to modulate tetracycline resistance. Using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, these four ginger compounds demonstrated antioxidant properties, which were inhibited by MnO2, an oxidant without antibacterial effects. After the antioxidant property was blocked, their antimicrobial effects were abolished significantly. These results indicate that ginger compounds have antioxidant effects that partially contribute to their antimicrobial activity and are candidates for use in the treatment of infections with XDRAB.
PMID: 20564496 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3201  Phytother Res. 2010 Dec;24(12):1825-30. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3201. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov