Synonyms:
Adarak, Zingiber.
Biological source
Ginger belongs to oleo gum resin category and is obtained from the rhizomes of Zingiber
officinale Roscoe.
Family:
Zingiberaceae
Geographical source:
It is indigenous to South East Asia and cultivated in Caribbean
Island, Jamaica, Taiwan, Africa, Australia, Mauritius and India. In India it is cultivated in nearly
all states like Kerala, Assam, Himanchal Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Karnataka.
Cultivation and Collection:
The basic requirement of soil for the cultivation of ginger is sandy loam, clay or red loam
soil. It needs warm humid climate and heavy rainfall. It grows well at an altitude of 1000 to
1500 meter from sea level. The propagation is mainly done from rhizomes in the month of
June. The seed rhizome having bud are sowed into soil and supplemented with adequate
amount of manures and fertilizers viz. Superphosphate, potash and ammonium sulphate.
Macroscopical Characters:
Colour: Buff or earthy brown.
Odour: Characteristic, Agreeable and Aromatic.
Taste: Pungent.
Size: Rhizomes are 5 to 15 cm in length and 2 to 6 cm in width.
Shape: Rhizomes are laterally compressed, bears short, flat, ovate branches and bud at
apex.
Fracture:
Fibrous, short.
Chemical Constituents:
It contains volatile oil, fat, starch, moisture, resinous matter, fibre and inorganic material
etc. The oil contains hydrocarbons (monoterpene and sesquiterpene), oxygenated derivatives
of terpenes and phenyl propanoids. Along with these compounds α–zingiberene, β-
sesquiphellandrene, α-curcumene, β-bisabolene, α-farnesene, geranial, citral are also present
in the drug. The specific aroma of ginger is due to the presence of volatile oils whereas the
pungency and therapeutic action is due to the presence of phenolic ketones which includes
gingerols like Zingerone, gingediols, paradols, shogaols, ο-methyl ethers and
hexahydrocurcumin.
Chemical test:
To identify the adulterant, the tincture of ginger is heated with caustic alkali at 90-100°C
and evaporates the liquid. Then it is dissolved in dilute HCl and extracted with ether. The
ethereal layer is evaporated and left residue should have no pungency (indicates the
presence of gingerol).
Uses:
It is used as stomachic, carminative, aromatic, stimulant and flavouring agent. Its oil is
used in mouth washes, beverages and liquor preparation. Ginger has molluscicidal effects
and controls parasitic infections. It also blocks the gastro intestinal reactions and nausea
feeling. It causes adsorption of toxins and increases the gastric motility. It is also effective in
the control of nausea and vomiting in Hyperemesis gravidarum as well as postoperative
nausea and vomiting.
Ginger also possess cardiovascular activity, antiplatelet aggregation property, analgesic,
antipyretic, antitussive, antibacterial, anthelmintic, fungicidal and antiulcer activity.
Allied Drugs:
Japanese ginger obtained from Z. mioga contains volatile oil which gives bergamot
odour and less pungency than the Z. officinale.
Galangal rhizome obtained from Aplinia officinarum.
Adulterants:
It is adulterated with exhausted ginger (detected by determination of water soluble ash
value, volatile oil content and extractive values).
The ‘Spent ginger’ is also uses for adulteration purpose. In this type, the aroma has been
extracted which yields low quality of ginger.