Ginger

facts contributed by Kew Gardens 22 Jan | 12:12

  • Ginger

The fragrant underground stem (rhizome) of the ginger plant is used for culinary and therapeutic purposes, on account of its mildly irritant properties, around the world. The species originated in Asia, and is central to the cuisine of many Asian countries.

Species information

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Habitat: Tropical regions; tolerates poor soil and flooding.

Form: Herb

Scientific name: Zingiber officinale L. (Zingiberaceae)

Ginger has long been used traditionally in the United Kingdom as a treatment for nausea. Despite not being a native plant, it is considered a traditional folk medicine of the British Isles.

Ginger has been shown to be effective for pregnancy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting, but is it is still not certain which chemical compounds are responsible. One possibility are the ginger compounds 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, which are known to suppress gastric contractions implicated in the feeling of nausea.

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