ginger
Zingiber officinale
Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is a traditional plant used in various culinary and medicinal practices. While its specific uses in traditional medicine are not well-documented, it has been utilized for centuries in Asian cultures for digestive issues and pain relief. Scientific evidence suggests that young ginger contains higher concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins compared to mature rhizomes, indicating potential health benefits. A study using Alleleauto, a pipeline tool, enhanced the identification of true alleles in the diploid plant genome of ginger, which may have implications for understanding its genetic basis but does not directly support traditional uses. Ginger compounds 6-gingerol and gingeberenone A were found to interact with bovine type I collagen through hydrogen bonding and thermal stability enhancement, suggesting potential applications in stabilizing or supporting connective tissue health. No major safety issues or drug interactions have been recorded for ginger, but further research is needed to fully understand its effects.
- Best evidence
- D
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- Phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins have significantly higher concentrations in young ginger compared to mature rhizomes.
- Dietary dried ginger powder supplementation improved growth indices, feed efficiency, and disease resistance in red tilapia.
- The study developed Alleleauto, a pipeline that improves the identification of true alleles in diploid plant genomes like ginger (Zingiber officinale), enhancing allele-specific gene expression analysis.
- The study found that two major ginger compounds, 6-gingerol and gingeberenone A, interact with and stabilize bovine type I collagen through hydrogen bonding and thermal stability enhancement.
- Zingiber officinale essential oil showed no detectable antibacterial effect against tested multidrug-resistant bacteria under the studied conditions.
- The study found no significant evidence of acute hepatorenal toxicity from Carmina treatment in Swiss albino mice over a 14-day period.
- The study found that 10-shogaol from ginger has broad antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity against dengue and Zika viruses.
Frequently asked questions
What is ginger?
ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about ginger?
7 sourced findings are recorded for ginger; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: Phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins have significantly higher concentrations in young ginger compared to mature rhizomes.
How strong is the evidence for ginger?
The strongest finding for ginger carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is ginger safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for ginger in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does ginger interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for ginger in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of ginger?
ginger is also known as: имбирь, Gingembre.
Is ginger a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 Functional roles of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in strengthening the physiological responses, growth, antioxidant/immune gene expression, and resistance to Fusarium oxysporum in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.): in vivo and in silico approach literature abstract metadata
- T2 Combined computational and spectroscopic analyses of the interactions between ginger compounds and bovine type I collagen. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Alleleauto: a pipeline for allele identification and analysis of allele-specific gene expression with haplotype-resolved diploid genome assemblies. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Phytochemical Content across Different Harvest Weeks and Breeds of Juvenile Ginger (Zingiber officinale). literature abstract metadata
- T2 Antibacterial activity of selected plant essential oils against carbapenemase-producing multidrug-resistant bacteria. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Discovery of 10-Shogaol from Zingiber officinale with Broad Antiviral and Anti-inflammatory Activity against Dengue and Zika Viruses Using Activity-Guided Molecular Networking. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Evaluating the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of herbal medicine on swiss albino mice: an in-vivo, in-vitro and in-silico insights. literature abstract metadata