The Medicinal Properties of Ginger

• Antiemetic and Anti-Motion Sickness
• Anti-inflammatory (Rheumatism)
• Anti Ulcer
• Ginger and the Circulatory System
• Antioxidant
• Other Properties Of Ginger
• References

Ginger grows best in tropical and sub tropical areas, which have good rainfall with hot and humid conditions during the summer season. This member of the Zingiberaceae family originated in Southeast Asia and has been introduced to many parts of the globe
where it proliferates in suitable environments.

Belief in the medicinal properties of ginger existed in ancient Indian and oriental cultures where ginger was used alone or as a component in herbal remedies.

This practice continues today in many areas of the world, including Africa, Brazil, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Sudan and Thailand. Ginger was introduced to Europe and other areas by Dutch, Portuguese, Arab and Spanish explorers or traders from around the 13th to 16th centuries.

The rhizome or "root" is the part of the plant that is harvested and is found entirely under the surface of the soil. The vast majority of the harvested ginger is consumed fresh or in dehydrated form, while some commercial ginger is sugar preserved. In Australia, ginger for sugar preserving is harvested after five months before fibre content reaches a level that affects eating quality. Drying of ginger commences after seven months for manufacture of dried whole root and ginger powder.

In recent times there has been scientific research undertaken to test out the validity of the medicinal claims made about ginger. A study of the research shows that there have been some exciting results with respect to the medicinal properties of ginger including, anti-emetic effect or control of nausea and vomiting, prevention of coronary artery disease, healing and prevention of both arthritic conditions and stomach ulcers. In addition, ginger has been shown to be effective against tumor growth, rheumatism, migraine and is active as an antioxidant in the body.

One of the most detailed literature studies on ginger and its medicinal properties is found in Research Herbalist Paul Schulick`s book - "Common Spice or Wonder Drug? Ginger" (1993, Herbal Free Press, Brattleboro, Vermont, USA). This book is recommended to any person interested in exploring the uses of ginger as a natural remedy and maintainer of good health. His work links early herbalists claims with modern scientific research and lists over 300 references.

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Antiemetic and Anti-Motion Sickness
Powdered ginger root has been compared to standard drugs used in combating postoperative nausea and vomiting. Tests have shown that the requirement for postoperative antiemetics was lower in those patients receiving ginger. Ginger is "an effective and promising prophylactic antiemetic, which may be especially useful for day case surgery." (1)

It has been reported that ginger was effective in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in a group of 60 women after major gynecological surgery. "There were statistically significantly fewer recorded incidences of nausea in the group that received ginger root compared to the placebo". (2)

Patients who undergo photopheresis will suffer nausea due to the taking of the drug 8-MOP which is required during the treatment. In a controlled trial, it has been shown that the ingestion of ginger prior to 8-MOP, may substantially reduce the nausea effect. (3)

The possibility of side effects such as gastric emptying after taking ginger as an antiemetic has been investigated. When 16 healthy volunteers were allocated 1 gram of ginger or placebo randomly in a double-blind crossover trial, it was found that ginger ingestion had no effect on gastric emptying. It was reported that, "The antiemetic effect of ginger is not associated with an effect on gastric emptying. No adverse effects were noted." (4)

One of the most famous reports on the effects of ginger on motion sickness was reported in the British medical journal The Lancet (5).

In this clinical trial, 39 men and women who reported "very high susceptibility to motion sickness" were tested. Motion sickness was induced by being subjected to a rotating, tilted chair while blindfolded under controlled conditions. It was found that ginger was significantly more effective in reducing motion sickness than the antihistamine dimenhydrinate and a placebo.

A Danish controlled trial on the open sea involved eighty naval cadets who were "unaccustomed to sailing in heavy seas". It was reported that "ginger root reduced the tendency to vomiting and cold sweating significantly better than the placebo did". (6)

Pharmacological studies of the antimotion actions of ginger would indicate that ginger is effective in controlling motion sickness by the direct action of ginger's active components on the gastric system. (7,5)

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Anti-inflammatory (Rheumatism)
More than 200 potential drugs have been tested through the 1990`s in order to find a cure for rheumatism and musculoskeletal ailments. These have included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, gold salts, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, methotrexate and cyclosporine. None of these have found to be safe. (8)

A Danish study has found that ginger ingestion is significant in relieving pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and muscular disorder patients.

In this study 56 patients (28 rheumatoid, 18 osteo, 10 muscular) were studied over periods ranging from 3 months to 2.5 years. Three quarters of the 46 arthritis patients experienced,"to varying degrees, relief in pain and swelling." All of the muscular discomfort patients experienced, "relief in pain." Over the period of the testing, no patients reported any adverse effects from consistent ginger consumption. (8) Other studies have produced similar results, where patients reported that ginger " produced better relief of pain, swelling and stiffness than the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs". (9)

Gingerols found in Ginger, have been identified as active compounds which are potent inhibitors of the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, which, in an oversupply situation will cause inflammation. (10)

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Anti Ulcer
A common side effect of treating inflammation with modern drugs is that ulcers in the digestive system can be created or their condition made worse. Ginger can not only relieve the symptoms of inflammation, it also protects the creation of digestive ulcers. Paul Schulick states, "Whatever advantage non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have in the strength of their anti-inflammatory or thermoregulatory effects, ginger compensates for it with an absence of side effects and alternative effects." (11)

Extensive laboratory testing, often involving the use of rats, has brought about the identification of six anti-ulcer compounds contained in ginger.(11)

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Ginger and the Circulatory System
Ginger has been found to be beneficial in reducing platelet aggregation which leads to coronary artery disease, while having no effect on blood lipids or blood sugar. Healthy people, patients with C.A.D.(coronary artery disease) and non-insulin dependent diabetes sufferers were all the subjects of an Indian study which found that a 10g single dose of powdered ginger,"significantly reduced platelet aggregation" in C.A.D. patients.(12)

Rats have been clinically studied with the introduction of ginger after having their cholesterol levels artificially increased. Researchers state," Inclusion of 1% cholesterol in the diet of rats increased serum cholesterol levels significantly, but addition of fresh ginger together with the cholesterol significantly reduced this increase. Ginger was shown to be antihypercholesterolaemic."(13) It has also been reported that ginger inhibits the biosynthesis of cholesterol in rat liver.(14)

Paul Shulick makes the point, "that literally hundreds of thousands of lives can be saved emphasizes that ginger should be in everyone`s daily supplement routine."(11)

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Antioxidant
Ginger contains antioxidant properties that even outperform commonly used chemical antioxidants. " Ginger is rated in a number of studies to possess a free radical-inhibiting index even greater than that of commercial antioxidant preservatives BHA and BHT." (11)

Ginger has been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation in rat liver microcosms(15) and successfully scavenge superoxide anions.(16) In an American study 21 compounds (including gingerol related compounds) were isolated from ginger. It was found that "most of the isolated compounds exhibited stronger antioxidative effect than alpha-tocopherol"(vitamin E). (17)

The antioxidant powers of ginger have been proven in applications where ginger extract was added to meat products. "The antioxodative effectiveness of ginger extract was further tested with fresh, frozen and precooked pork patties. The shelf life of all products determined by TBA value was improved by the inclusion of ginger extract." (18)

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Other Properties Of Ginger
Researchers have found that extracts of ginger possess anti-skin tumor effects when placed directly on the skin of mice. (19) In addition it has been found that gingerol from ginger inhibits the tumor promoter Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation. (20)

Ginger treatments have been found to be useful in treatment of migraine, where it is proposed that pain relief from ginger may occur without any of the side effects that occur with standard treatments. (21) Ginger has also been successfully trialled in tests with 30 women who were suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum,
which is a severe nausea, which can complicate a large proportion of pregnancies. After the trial it was found that relief was "significantly greater" with oral ginger powder capsule treatment. (22)

Ginger has been shown to be effective against the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia Coli, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans. (11,23) A 1990 Japanese study showed that the gingerol and shogaol components of ginger could kill Anisakis larvae. Anisakis being one of the principle parasites which find hosts in millions of people around the globe.(24)
In addition to the previously mentioned antiemetic properties of ginger there are many other benefits associated with the digestive system. Chinese medicine has incorporated ginger in remedies for the digestive system for centuries and it is regularly used as a calmative for stomach upsets. Other digestive benefits from ginger are the natural enzyme action on protein digestion(25), stimulation of digestion, pro-biotic support of the natural gut flora, anti-diarreal properties and liver protection.(11)

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References
These are the reference sources which have been used to compile the above information. Please refer directly to the references for additional details.

(1) Zingiber officinale (ginger)--an antiemetic for day case surgery Phillips S, Ruggier R, Hutchinson SE Department of Anaesthetics, Kingston Hospital, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.
ANAESTHESIA 48 (8): 715-717 (Aug 1993)

(2) Ginger root--a new antiemetic. The effect of ginger root on postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynaecological surgery Bone ME, Wilkinson DJ, Young JR, McNeil J, Charlton S
Department of Anaesthesia, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
ANAESTHESIA 45 (8): 669-671 (Aug 1990)

(3) Zingiber officinale (ginger) used to prevent 8-Mop associated nausea. Meyer K, Schwartz J, Crater D, Keyes BDERMATOL NURS 7 (4): 242-244 (Aug 1995)

(4) Zingiber officinale does not affect gastric emptying rate. A randomised, placebo-controlled,crossover trial. Phillips S, Hutchinson S, Ruggier R Kingston Hospital, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.
ANAESTHESIA 48 (5): 393-395 (May 1993)

(5) Motion sickness, ginger, and psychophysics.Mowrey, D.B., Clayson, D.E.
LANCET 1 (8273): 655-7 (Mar 1982)

(6) Ginger root against seasickness. A controlled trial on the open sea.Grontved A, Brask T, Kambskard J, Hentzer E
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Svendborg Hospital, Denmark.
ACTA OTOLARYNGOL (Stockh) 105 (1-2): 45-49 (Jan 1988)

(7) The anti-motion sickness mechanism of ginger. A comparative study with placebo. Holtmann S, Clarke AH, Scherer H, Hohn M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat,Munchen, Germany.
ACTA OTOLARYNGOL (Stockh) 108 (3-4): 168-174 (Sep 1989)

(8) Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders.Srivastava KC, Mustafa T
Department of Environmental Medicine, Odense University, Denmark.
MED. HYPOTHESES 39 (4): 342-348 (Dec 1992)

(9) Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and rheumatic disorders. Srivastava KC, Mustafa T
Department of Environmental Medicine, Odense University, Denmark.
MED. HYPOTHESES 29 (1): 25-28 (May 1989)

(10) Inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis by gingerols and diarylheptanoids.Kiuchi F, Iwakami S, Shibuya M, Hanaoka F, Sankawa U
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan.
CHEM PHARM BULL. (Tokyo) 40 (2): 387-391 (Feb 1992)

(11) Common Spice or Wonder Drug? Ginger.Schulick.P.
Herbal Free Press, Brattleboro, Vermont, USA. (1993)

(12) Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and fenugreek (Triginella foenumgraecum L.) on blood lipids, blood sugar and platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease. Bordla A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC
Department of Medicine, R.N.T. Medical College, Udaipur, India.
Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 56 (5): 379-384 (May 1997)

(13) Effect of ginger on serum cholesterol levels.Janabai Giri; Sakthi Devi TK; Meeraran S
INDIAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS; 21 (12) 433-436, 4 ref. 1984

(14) Cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitory component from Zingiber officinale Roscoe.Tanabe M; Chen YD; Saito KI; Kano Y. CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULL. 1993, 41: 4, 710-713; 12 ref.1993

(15) Studies on spice principles as antioxidants in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes. Reddy AC, Lokesh BR. Department of Food Chemistry, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.
MOL. CELL BIOCHEM. 111 (1-2): 117-124 (Apr 1992)

(16) Scavenging of superoxide anions by spice principles.Krishnakantha TP, Lokesh BR
Department of Nutrition & Food Safety, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore.
INDIAN J. BIOCHEM. BIOPHYS. 30 (2): 133-134 (Apr 1993)

(17) Structure of antioxidative compounds in ginger.Kikuzaki,-H.; Kawasaki,-Y.; Nakatani,-N.
ACS-symp-ser. Washington, D.C. : AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 1974-. 1994. (547) p. 237-243.

(18) Antioxidant property in ginger rhizome and its application to meat products.Lee-YB; Kim-YS; Ashmore-CR
1986 JOURNAL-OF-FOOD-SCIENCE; 51 (1) 20-23, 22 ref.

(19) Inhibition of tumor promotion in SENCAR mouse skin by ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale rhizome.Katiyar SK, Agarwal R, Mukhtar H. Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases Research Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio 44106, USA. CANCER RES. 56 (5): 1023-1030 (Mar 1 1996)

(20) Antitumor promoters from edible plants.Ohigashi,-H.; Murakami,-A.; Koshimizu,-K.
ACS-symp-ser. Washington, D.C. : AMERICAN CHEM. SOC., 1974-. 1994. (547) p. 251-261.

(21) Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in migraine headache.Mustafa T, Srivastava KC
Institute of Biology, Odense University, Denmark.
J. ETHNOPHARMACOL. 29 (3): 267-273 (Jul 1990)

(22) Ginger treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum Fischer-Rasmussen W, Kjaer SK, Dahl C, Asping U
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
EUR. J. OBSTET GYNECOL. REPROD. BIOL. 38 (1): 19-24 (Jan 4 1991)

(23) Ethnopharmacologic investigation of ginger (Zingiber officinale). Mascolo N, Jain R, Jain SC, Capasso F
Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples, Italy.
J. ETHNOPHARMACOL. 27 (1-2): 129-140 (Nov 1989)

(24) Lethal efficacy of extract from Zingiber officinale (traditional Chinese medicine) or [6]- shogaol and [6]-gingerol in Anisakis larvae in vitro. Goto C, Kasuya S, Koga K, Ohtomo H, Kagei N
Department of Parasitology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
PARASITOL RES. 76 (8): 653-656 (1990)

(25) Ginger rhizome: a new source of proteolytic enzyme. [Zingiber officinale]Thompson, E-H; Wolf, I.D; Allen, C.E. J. FOOD. SCI., May/June 1973, 38 (4): 652-655. Ref.

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