Ginger

The ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, originated in Java Island, India and China, before spreading to the tropical regions of the world. It has been known in Europe since ancient times; it was taken to this continent by the Crusaders.

The ginger is one of the world’s most ancient and popular medical plants. Its therapeutic properties result from the action of various substances, especially the essential oil that contains camphene, phellandrene, zingiberene and zingerone.

Popularly, the ginger tea, made of pieces of fresh and water boiled rhizome, is used in the treatment against flu, cold, cough and even hangover. Ginger baths and hot compresses are indicated to relieve the symptoms of gout, arthritis, headache, and backache, apart from decreasing nasal congestion, menstrual cramps and preventing both bowel and ovarian cancer.