By JaideepNagrath
Ginger e xtracts have been extensively
studied for a broad range of biological activities including a ntibacterial,
ยท . anticonvulsant, analgesic, antiulcer,
gastric antisecretory, antitumor,
antifungal,
antispasmodic,
antiallergenic, and other activities.
Gingerols have been shown t o be
inhibitors
of
prostaglandin
biosynt hesis. Scientific studies show
t hat gingerol, one of the primary
pungent principles of ginger, helps
counter liver tox icit y by in creasing bile
secretion.
Ginger
has
potent
anti-microbial and a nti-oxid ant (food
preservative) qualities. A recent study, furtheri'lg ginger's reputation- as a stomachic, s hows
that aceto ne and methano l extracts of ginger
strongly inhibits gastric ul ceration.
In trad itional med icine, removing toxin is o ne of
themajor uses ror ginger. t is given as a;;--- a ntidote to poisoning fn?m food, from d rugs
and' from other herbs. Thi s was recogn ized by
physicians a nd herba lists in the West, too .
Pet e r Holmes rem inds us of t hi s in hi s classic
text, The
Energetic of Western Herbs, w hich has an
excellent review of t he true nature,
properti es and uses of hundreds of herbs. He
quotes Henry Abraham (1794) w ho states that
ginger is a corrective of many medicines (whi ch)
t a keth away their malice. Diagnostic e lements of
'ginger are Essential oil, . Oleo-resinous matter,
Gi ngibe re ne, gingerol and shogaol.