Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Latin name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe [Zingiberaceae]
Plant parts: Root, rhizome


Ginger root (rhizome) is a common spice that has long been esteemed
as an appetite stimulant and an aid to digestion. It has been
used in China for roughly 2,500 years and is a common ingredient in
traditional Chinese herbal formulas. Ginger has a distinct aroma due
to its essential oil, which contains approximately 60 components, including
geranial and neral. Ginger’s flavor is due to its pungent principals,
which include gingerols and products formed from gingerols,
the shogaols and zingerone. Shogaols and gingerols, especially 6-
gingerol, have demonstrated antiemetic activity in animal studies
(Awang, 1992; ESCOP, 1996).

Ginger products have been tested in clinical studies for effectiveness
in reducing nausea and vomiting due to administration of chemotherapy,
emergence from general anesthesia following surgery,
morning sickness associated with pregnancy, and, most commonly,
for motion sickness.Vertigo, nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, and pallor
are typical signs of motion sickness. Motion sickness is often caused
by the perception of movement by the inner ear, especially when it
conflicts with information from the eyes and other senses. The inner
ear contains sensors for motion in the vestibular system. The vomiting
reflex is mediated via the vagal and sympathetic pathways of the
nervous system and can be stimulated by pain, smell, sight, motion,
cytotoxic drugs, and irritants in the stomach.

Agents commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting include serotonin
inhibitors (e.g., ondansetron), dopamine antagonists (metoclopramide,
chlorpromazine, promenthazine, etc.), antihistamines
(dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, meclizine, etc.), corticosteroids,
cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines. Scopolamine, given orally, parenterally,
or transdermally, is regarded as the most potent drug for theprophylaxis and treatment of motion sickness. However, the antihistamines,
especially dimenhydrinate, are also commonly used (Hardman
et al., 1996).

 The ability of ginger to inhibit the formation of inflammatory mediators
and its antioxidant activity in vitro led to testing an extract for
a possible clinical application for osteoarthritis (deterioration of the
joints characterized by pain, inflammation, and reduced function).
Common first-line treatments for relief of symptoms of rheumatic
diseases are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
which include aspirin, acetaminophen, indomethacin, ibuprofen, and
diclofenac (Hardman et al., 1996).