GINGER LAUREN MIKELL | STUDENT PHARMACIST|SPRING 2022
SCIENTIFIC NAME Zingiber officinale
PURPOSE/COMMON USES It is said that ginger has analgesic and antiinflammatory effects in nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches/ brain.
TYPICAL DOSING/ SERVING Doses of ginger can range from 250mg to 2g per day given in three divided doses.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY OF GINGER Ginger is a part of a plant family that also includes turmeric. However, it does not grow in the wild and some of its origins are uncertain. Ginger was produced by the Indians and Chinese as a tonic root to treat many ailments with India being the largest producer. It was an article of trade and much of it was exported from India to nations at the time including the Roman Empire many years ago. Ginger of course became highly valued for its medicinal properties. It was put in bread to be used as a digestive aid; it was also used as treatment for nausea and vomiting. Although early in its time it was recognized as a flavoring agent in foods, later in its use it was very popular to be used in sweets hence the creation of gingerbread and many other desserts.
PHARMACOLOGY MECHANISM OF ACTION The exact mechanism is not understood completely as of now, but the compounds found in the ginger have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-analgesic, and anti-tumor properties. These compounds target nausea, vomiting, and digestive issues.
AVAILABLE DOSAGE FORMS Tablets, capsules, syrups, teas, essential oils, dried powder, ointments, topical gels, liquid extracts 71
