Ginger Root: Zingiber officinalis

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Ginger Root Zingiber officinalis
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Botanical Facts

• From the family Zingiberaceae
• Tropical group native to India and Malaysia
• Comerically grown mainly in Jamaica, followed by
  India, Africa and China
• Perennial plant reaching heights of 1 3 feet

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Goodies

• Ginger-Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Ginger Candy
• Ginger Tea
• Sliced Fresh Ginger

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The plant

• The stem is surrounded by a sheathing basis of
  two ranked leaved
• A club-like spike of yellowish purple lipped
  flowers have hints of yellow and green
• During commercial cultivation, the flowers are
  usually absent
• Simple or Entire Leaves, Pinnately veined
• Plants Synoecious, Flowers Perfect

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The Rhizomes

• The most beneficial part of the plant
• A branch with thick, thumb-like protrusions
• Individual divisions of the rhizome are called
  hands
• The fleshy, yellow interior of the root is the
  most widely used portion

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Ancient Use

• Greeks
• China
• India
• England Europe
• Jamaica
• Numerous Modern Uses

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Ginger Use Today

• Digestive aid
• Curbing motion sickness
• Anti-inflammatory
• Circulatory stimulatory
• May reduce cholesterol
• Expectorant for Treatment of asthma
• Antipyretic
• Analgesic
• Anti-viral
• Treatment of HTN
• Anti-tumor
• Anti-diabetic

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Compounds
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Current Research

• Digestive Aid anti-vomiting agent, anti-nausea
• Motion sickness and morning sickness
• Reducing Cholesterol
• Anti-diabetic

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Hot Tips!
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Modes of Action

• As a digestive aid and inhibitor of Morning and
  Motion Sickness Inhibits serotonin at the
  5-hydroxytryptamine receptor in the small bowel
• As a cholesterol reducing agent Used to treat
  athrosclerosis and hypertension by reducing the
  stickiness of blood platelets
• As an Anti-diabetic Same as above, but targets
  the receptors involved in glycemic control

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Saftey and Cautions

• Generally, no side effects
• Gall bladder disease
• The Jake Walk neuralgic condition
• Use with anti-coagulants

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Questions????