Synonyms: Zingiber; Zingiberis, Ginger

Biological Source:

Ginger consists of whole or cut, dried scrapped or un scrapped rhizomes of Zingiber officinale

Family: Zingiberaceae

Geographical Source :

It is said to be native of South East Asia, but is cultivated in Caribbean islands, Africa, Australia, Mauritius, Jamaica, Taiwan and India. More than 35% of the world's production is from India.

Chemical Constituents:

Ginger consists of

• volatile oil (1 - 4%),

• starch (40 - 60%),

• fat (10%), fibre (5%),

• inorganic material (6%),

• residual moisture (10%) and acrid resinous matter (5 - 8%).

Ginger oil is constituted of monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated mono and sesquiterpenes, and phenyl propanoids.

Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon content of all types of ginger oil includes a-

• α-zingiberene,

• β-bisabolene,

• α-farnesene,

• β-sesquiphellandrene and

• α-curcumene.

• Aroma and flavour are the main characters of ginger.

• Aroma is due to fragrant principles of volatile oil while the flavour, pungency and pharmacological action is exerted by phenolic ketones of oleo-resin.

• Various components of volatile oil like isometric terpenic aldehydes like geranial and citral, which cause the delicate and lemony aroma.

• Few sesquiterpene oil hydrocarbons are believed to exert spicy note.

• Phenolic ketones of oleo resin include gingerols like shogaols, zingerone, paradols, gingediols, hexahydrocurcumin and also o-methyl ethers of these compounds.

Uses:

• Ginger is used as a stomachic, an aromatic, a carminative, stimulant and flavouring agent.

• Ginger oil is used in mouth washes, ginger beverages and liquors.

• Ginger powder has been reported to be effective in motion sickness.

• It has been suggested that adsorbent, aromatic and carminative properties of ginger on G. I. tract cause adsorption of toxins and acid enhanced gastric motility.

• These may have probably blocking effects of G. I. reactions and nausea. Z. officinale (Methanolic extract) has molluscicidal effects, possessing efficacy to control the parasitic infection viz. schistosomiasis, U.S: Food and Drug administration has included ginger as product that is generally regarded as safe (GRAS).