Posted by ScottL (206.31.209.245) on July 15, 1999 at 12:30:47:
In Reply to: GINGER ALE posted by Donald on July 15, 1999 at 04:47:46:
Also clipped from web (note warning):
Ginger is derived from the tuberous rhizome (underground root)
of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale of the family
Zingiberaceae. Also referred to as Jamaica Ginger, African
Ginger, or Cochin Ginger, Ginger has been used as a spice,
condiment and flavoring agent. For nearly 2,500 years, Ginger has
also played an important role in Asian medicine as a folk remedy
to promote cleansing of the body through perspiration, to calm nausea, and to stimulate the
appetite. Ginger tea was also used as a carminative (agent which expels gas from the
intestines) and in the symptomatic treatment of colds when given at their onset. It has been
used in China and other countries for many years as a tonic.
Ginger Root is a time-proven remedy for upset stomach, indigestion, cramps, and to dispel
chills. Ancient Indians used it to treat digestive problems and as a spiritual and physical
cleanser. Circa 3000, B.C., the Chinese used it for colds, fever, chills, tetanus, and leprosy.
Chinese sailors chewed on Ginger Root to combat seasickness. Chinese women drank ginger
tea to alleviate the onset of the menstrual period and other female discomforts. The Chinese
also considered Ginger Root to be an antidote to shellfish poisoning, explaining why it is found
in so many seafood dishes. The Greeks, after a large meal, wrapped bread around a piece of
ginger, and ate it to ease indigestion. This gave rise to ginger bread. In England, ginger was
added to beer, forerunner to ginger ale, as a remedy for diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Ginger
is also a circulatory stimulant, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, promotes sweating, eases cold
symptoms, stimulates the flow of saliva, soothes a sore throat, and is an expectorant and
antiseptic.
Ginger contains gingerol, a Ginger oleoresin (combination of volatile oils and resin) that
accounts for the characteristic aroma of Ginger, and explain its therapeutic properties.
Components of gingerol (zingiberone, bisabolene, camphene, geranial, linalool and borneol)
have recently been studied and found to possess beneficial properties for the treatment of poor
digestion, heartburn, vomiting and preventing motion sickness.
A report appearing in the English medical journal Lancet in 1982 concluded that powdered
Ginger helped with motion sickness. Researchers conducted a double-blind study on 36 college
students with a high susceptibility to motion sickness. Reporting on Ginger's ability to control
motion sickness and alleviate nausea, they concluded that 940 mg. of powdered Ginger was
superior to 100 mg. of dimenhydrinate in reducing symptoms when consumed 25 minutes
prior to tests in a tilted rotating chair.
On the basis of this and other studies, German health authorities have concluded that Ginger,
at an average daily dose level of 2 to 4 grams, is effective for preventing motion sickness, and
is also useful as a digestive aid. Any anti-emetic effects of Ginger are due to its local action in
the stomach, and not to any central nervous system activity.
Ginger is ordinarily taken in the form of capsules, each containing 250 to 500 mg. of powdered
herb. It may also be consumed as a tea or in the form of candied Ginger that is readily
available in Oriental food markets. There are no reports of severe toxicity in humans from
eating Ginger, but recent pharmacological studies indicate that very large overdoses might carry
the potential for causing depression of the central nervous system and cardiac atrhythmias.
Additionally, the whole Ginger plant has been found to cause liver damage in animals. It is
interesting to note that an alcoholic beverage prepared from Jamaican Ginger, popular in some
parts of the U.S. in the 1930s, caused a serious neuralgic problem called "the Jake Walk."
CAUTION: If suffering from gallstones, or if pregnant or nursing, consult a health care
professional before taking large amounts of Ginger. The German Commission E monograph
opposes use for morning sickness during pregnancy. Daily consumption of Ginger root may
interfere with the absorption of dietary iron and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as tetracycline
derivatives, oral anticholinergics, phenothiazines, digoxin, isoniazid, pheytoin, warfarin,
lincomycin, digitalis, nalidixic acid, sulfonamides, and phenothiozines or other psychoactive
agents which are poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Ginger may mask the toxicity
caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics such as neomycin. It may inhibit urinary excretion of
alkaline drugs, such as amphetamines or quinidine.
Ginger contains protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.