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Description

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) belongs to the Zingiberaceae plant family, which also includes turmeric and

cardamom. Ginger comes from the Sanskrit word "horn-root." It grows in Jamaica, India, Haiti, Hawaii, and Nigeria. This perennial plant grows 3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m) tall. It has thin, sharp leaves 6–12 in (15–30 cm) long. The tangled, beige root is used medicinally, and can be 1–6 in (2.5–15 cm) in length. The root has a sharp, pungent taste and aroma.

Ginger contains several chemical components as outlined by Michael Murray, N.D. in The Healing Power of Herbs:

• starch (50%)
• protein (9%)
• lipids (including glycerides, phosphatidic acid, lecithins, and fatty acids; 6-8%)
• protease (2.26%)
• volatile oils (including gingerol, shogoal, zingiberene, and...