Ginger and Its Effects in Healthcare and Nutrition

Ginger is a common ingredient in Asian and Indian food . However, ginger has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries among many cultures.

Ginger (zingiber officinale) has a long history of use for relieving digestive problems such as nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and pain.

The root or underground stem (rhizome) of the ginger plant can be consumed fresh, powdered, dried as a spice, in oil form or as juice. Ginger is part of the Zingiberaceae family, alongside cardamom and turmeric, and is commonly produced in India, Jamaica, Fiji, Indonesia and Australia.

The Ginger rhizome contains the following constituents :

• Zingerone

• Shogaols

• Gingerols

• paradol etc.

All these components are the most important components of the medicinal plant . Ginger shows a great list of pharmacological activities may it be Anti inflammatory or Anti Diabetic . It shows a vast range of positive effects on the body . Treatment by this natural herbal means can change a lot of lives .

The Pharmacological actions of ginger are :

• Antioxidant activity :

Ginger and its constituents show antioxidant activity and prevent the damage of macromolecules, caused by the free radicals/oxidative stress.

• Anti-inflammatory :

Inflammation is a complex immune process and various mediators such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and anti-inflammatory cytokines involve in this process. Currently non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat the inflammation but this drug shows an adverse side effect and gastric ulcer.Ginger root and its constituents can inhibit the following procss and cause least side effects .

• Anti-tumour :

Ginger also acts as anti tumor via modulation of genetic pathways such as activation tumour suppressor gene, modulation of apoptosis and inhibition of VEGF (Vascular Endothelial growth Factor). Earlier study has shown that terpenoids, constituents of ginger induce apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells through the activation of p53

• Anti-Microbial :

Ginger also shows antimicrobial and other biological activities due gingerol and paradol, shogaols and zingerone. An important finding showed that 10% ethanolic ginger extract was found to possess antimicrobial potential against pathogens

Ginger also show effects such as Anti-diabetic , Neuroprotective , Gastroprotective , Anti-emetic etc.

Some or the other forms of these herbal plants show a significant effects on our body . These can act as a great source of Nutrition as well as a remedy to many disorders and diseases.

“All that man needs for health and healing has been provided by God in nature, the challenge of science is to find it.” Philippus Theophrastrus Bombast that of Aureolus ~ Paracelsus (1493-1541)