Scientific name: Zingiber officinale
Action: Advujent, Analgesic, Antiemetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumetic, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Aphrodisiac, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Expectorant, Stimulant, Tonic
Taste: Hot
Internal Application: Ginger is the quintessential panacea in many traditional medicine pharmacopoeia. As a hot herb, ginger is a powerful stimulant, especially for the digestive tract. It is the herb choice for stimulation of digestion, and is used to combat flatulence, indigestion, gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, sluggish digestion, nausea and vomitting. Ginger tea is also used in colds, congestion, sore throat, fevers, nausea, seasickness, mouth sores, hemorrhoids, and beri-beri (vitamin B1 deficiency), earning it the reputaion as a cure-all. Traditional healers give ginger tea to mothers immediately following birth to promote health and rapid recovery. Ginger also acts as galactogogue, encouraging production of breast milk. Ginger is used as an adjuvant in many herbal preparations in order to lessen side effects and increase potency of other herbs, and is the most frequently used herbs in this preparation.
Preparation: Decoction from one thumb-length (about 5g) fresh ginger, finely chopped, grated or mashed. Boil 10-15 minutes; drink after meals. For cough and cold, add lemon juice.
Topical application: Ginger has a powerful antiseptic action and may be used topically for bacterial and fungal skin infections, parasites and acne.
Preparation: Mash fresh ginger and make a paste. Apply topically to skin. For sores within the mouth, gargle with ginger tea and pinch of salt.
