sesquiterpenes,
mainly beta-sesquipheilandrene, betabisabolene, ar-curcumene and alphazingiberene; pungent principles, consisting of gingerols, shogaols and related phenolic ketone derivatives. Other constituents include diarylheptenones, diterpenes, gingesulphonic acid and monoacyldigalactosyl glycerols.
Gingerol and shogaol have been shown to suppress gastric contractions. Both fresh and dried rhizomes suppress gastric secretion and reduce vomiting. Gingerol and shogaol have gained importance due to their sedative, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, hypotensive and hepatoprotective activities.
Cardiotonic effects of ginger has been attributed to 6-and 8-shagaols and gingerols. (Antithrombotic effects remain unconfirmed.) Antimigraine effect is due to ginger’s ability to decrease platelet aggregation. It also acts as a potent inhibitor of prostaglandins which enhance release of substance P from trigeminal fibers. (PDR, 2004.)
Indian ginger is considered only second to Jamaican in quality.
There are three main types of Indian ginger Cochin ginger (light brown or yellowish grey; Calicut ginger from Malabar (orange or reddish brown, resembling African ginger) and Kolkata ginger (greyish brown to greyish blue).
Zingiber zerumbet Rosc. ex.Sm.
Synonym Z. spurium Koen. Amomum spurium Gmel.
A. sylvestre Poir.
Family Zingiberaceae.
Ziziphus jujuba (Lam.) Gaertn. non-Mill. 735
Habitat Throughout India from the Himalayas, southwards. Cultivated in Asian tropics.
English Zerumbet Ginger.
Ayurvedic Mahaabhari-vachaa
(also equated with Alpinia galanga),
Sthula-granthi (also equated with
Alpinia speciosa). Source of
Martinique Ginger, used as Shunthi
in Indian medicine.
Unani Narkachoor, Zarambaad. (Curcuma caesia is also equated with Narkachoor.)
Folk Karrallamu (Telugu).
Action Rhizomes—used for cough, asthma; colic; intestinal worms, and in leprosy and skin diseases. Oil— antiseptic.
