Ginger

Common Name: Ginger

Latin Name: Zingiber officinale

Other Names: African ginger, Sheng Jiang (Chinese) 

Taxonomy: Zingiberaceae

Native Habitat: Tropical plant, Asia

Planetary Influence and Element: Mars and Fire (makes sense, right? given how spicy and pungent this herb is!)

Energetic Quality: Spicy, warming, hot, pungent, dry

Botanical Description: Beige colored, nobby, thick, scaly root that resembles hands, green and yellow flowers

Parts Used: Root, essential oil

Pharmacological Constituents: Volatile oils, phenols, alkaloids, mucilage, nutrient dense, potassium, magnesium, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin E, B, proteins, fats, antioxidants, calcium, capsaicin

Actions/Properties:

• Analgesic
• Antacid
• Anti-emetic:
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-spasmodic
• Aromatic
• Anticatarral 
• Anti-microbial
• Antiseptic 
• Antiviral
• Carminative
• Diaphoretic (must drink or consume hot in order to get the benefits, which come through sweat)
• Digestive simulant 
• Diuretic
• Emmenagogue
• Expectorant
• Hypoglycemic
• Nervine
• Sialagogue
• Sexual tonic 
• Stimulant
• Stomatic
• Tonic

Indications:

Morning sickness, flatulence, abdominal chills, butterflies, indigestion, coughs, colds, bronchial, respiratory issues, poor circulation, menstrual cramps, rheumatism, fatigue, migraines, sexual health issues

Contraindications:

Avoid consuming a ginger decoction if pregnant or breastfeeding (as always, consult with your physician before using).

Those on blood thinners should consult their doctor, as ginger is known to thin blood.

Methods of Preparation and Dosage:

• Decoction: fresh ginger: 1-5 slice per cup of water, boil 20-25 minutes
• Infusion: dried ginger: 1/2- 1 tsp. per cup of water
• Tincture: 1-2 dropperful of tincture 3x a day (depending on your need)
• Poultice: fresh grated ginger placed directly on cramps and joints

Spiritual Use:

Great for breaking apart a defensive shield as the warmth from ginger helps defrost stuck or frozen emotions. This is a nice herb to work with if you are dealing with cold family members that you would like to connect with.

Wildcrafting/Cultivation:

Ginger needs fertile soil, lots of rain, sun, and a hot and moist environment. Harvest when the root is 6-10 months old and when the plant is not flowering. If you aren't located in the tropics, ginger grows well in green houses.