SyneraBotanica
Materia Medica

Zingiberaceae

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

A warming, diffusive rhizome that settles nausea, kindles digestion, eases inflammation and carries other herbs through the body.

Also known as
Sheng jiang (fresh), Gan jiang (dried)
Parts used
Rhizome
Taste
Pungent
Energetics
Hot · Drying
Sourcing
Cultivated

Actions

AntiemeticCarminativeAnti-inflammatoryCirculatory stimulantDiaphoretic

Traditional use

Ayurveda calls ginger vishwabhesaj — the universal medicine. In Chinese medicine fresh and dried ginger are distinct herbs, one dispersing cold from the surface, the other warming the core.

In Western herbalism ginger is the classic 'catalyst', added in small amounts to speed and direct a formula.

Research

  • Reduces pregnancy-associated nausea

    Clinical

    Meta-analysis of RCTs found ginger significantly improved nausea symptoms in pregnancy without increased adverse events.

    Viljoen E et al. Nutr J. 2014;13:20.

  • Reduces osteoarthritis pain

    Clinical

    Modest effect sizes in meta-analyses of knee osteoarthritis trials.

Key constituents

Gingerols
Pungent principles in fresh ginger; inhibit COX and 5-LOX.
Shogaols
Formed on drying and heating; more pungent and potent.

Sourcing notes

Choose organic; conventional ginger is often heavily treated. Hawaiian and Peruvian organic supply is reliable.

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