Ginger in Folk Medicines

There are a variety of herbal preparations containing ginger. Tea brewed from ginger is a folk remedy for colds. Three to four leaves of Tulsi taken along with a piece of ginger on an empty stomach is an effective cure for congestion, cough and cold. Ginger ale and ginger beer have been recommended as "stomach settlers" for generations in countries where the beverages are made, and ginger water was commonly used to avoid heat cramps in the US.

Ginger has also been historically used to treat inflammation, which several scientific studies support, though one arthritis trial showed ginger to be no better than a placebo or ibuprofen for treatment of osteoarthritis. Researches with rats indicated that ginger might be a useful treatment for diabetes.

In the United States, ginger is used to prevent motion and morning sickness. It is recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration and is sold as an unregulated dietary supplement.

Powdered dried ginger root is used in the West to make capsules that are sold in pharmacies for medicinal use.

Ginger has received international acclaim, and many countries have used it as a component of herbal preparations.

International Ginger

In China, ginger is included in several herbal preparations. A drink made with sliced ginger cooked in sweetened water or a cola is used as a folk medicine for the common cold.

In the Congo, ginger is crushed and mixed with mango tree sap to make tangawisi juice, which is considered a panacea.

In Burma, ginger and a local sweetener made from palm tree juice (Htan nyat) are boiled together and taken to prevent the flu.

In Indonesia, a type of ginger known as Jahe is used as a herbal preparation to reduce fatigue, reducing "winds" in the blood, prevent and cure rheumatism and controlling poor dietary habits.

 In India, ginger is applied as a paste to the temples to relieve headache and consumed when suffering from the common cold, people use ginger for making tea, in food etc.