The meaning of the symbols of ginger seen in a dream.

Gingee, Gingie, Ginjer, Gingea, Gingy, Gingey, Gingi

Constituents: phenolic compounds, gingerols, mucilage, volatile oil.

Action: anti-inflammatory, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, vasodilator, anti-cholesterol. Circulatory stimulant not as sharp as Cayenne. Anti-emetic. Diaphoretic. Traditional ingredient in prescriptions to ensure absorption through the stomach to all parts of the body.

Uses: Travel sickness, flatulent colic, irritable bowel and diarrhoea where no inflammation exists; colds and influenza – to promote perspiration and thus reduce body temperature. Cold hands and feet, hypothermia: a pinch of the powder in a beverage sends blood to the surface. Uncomplicated stomach and intestinal problems; appetite loss; hiccups; to promote secretion of gastric juices in the elderly and in achlorhydria. Brain fatigue (with Kola nuts, equal parts). Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (diet). Suppressed menstruation from cold. Improves sex life. Loss of appetite. Jet lag, general weakness. Nausea and vomiting. Morning sickness of pregnancy. Sickness of chemotherapy and after surgical operation. Traditionally eaten with raw fish which effectively destroys anisakis larvae and some other parasites.

Preparations: Tea. Quarter to half a teaspoon to each cup of boiling water or domestic tea, freely. Tablets/capsules. Powdered Ginger, quarter to 1g thrice daily.

Weak tincture BP (1973) Dose: one and a half to 3ml.

Strong tincture: 3 to 10 drops in water.

Liniments, for external use.

Contra-indicated in kidney disease. Best taken with food. 

FAMILY: Zingiberaceae

SYNONYMS: Common ginger, Jamaica ginger.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An erect perennial herb up to 1 metre high with a thick, spreading, tuberous rhizome root, which is very pungent. Each year it sends up a green reedlike stalk with narrow spear-shaped leaves and white or yellow flowers on a spike direct from the root.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to southern Asia, extensively cultivated all over the tropics in Nigeria, the West Indies, India, China, Jamaica and Japan. Most oil is distilled in the UK, China and India.

OTHER SPECIES: Several varieties according to location which are all used to produce oils with slight variations in their constitiuents; for example the African oil is generally darker. Another member of the same family, galangal (Alpinia officinarum), is also known as ginger root or Chinese ginger.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Ginger has been used as a domestic spice and as a remedy for thousands of years, especially in the East. Fresh ginger is used in China for many complaints including rheumatism, bacterial dysentery, toothache, malaria, and for cold and moist conditions such as excess mucus and diarrhoea.

It is best known as a digestive aid, especially in the West: in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia it is specifically indicated for flatulent intestinal colic. Preserved and crystallized ginger is a popular sweet, in the East and West.

ACTIONS: Analgesic, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, aperitif, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the unpeeled, dried, ground root. (An absolute and oleoresin are also produced for use in perfumery.)

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow, amber or greenish liquid with a warm, slightly green, fresh, woody-spicy scent. It blends well with sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, frankincense, rosewood, cedarwood, coriander, rose, lime, neroli, orange and other citrus oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Gingerin, gingenol, gingerone, zingiberine, linalol, camphene, phellandrene, citral, cineol, borneol, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant (except in high concentration), slightly phototoxic; may cause sensitization in some individuals.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Circulation Muscles And Joints: Arthritis, fatigue, muscular aches and pains, poor circulation, rheumatism, sprains, strains etc.

Respiratory System: Catarrh, congestion, coughs, sinusitis, sore throat.

Digestive System: Diarrhoea, colic, cramp, flatulence, indigestion, loss of appitite, nausea, travel sickness.

Immune System: Chills, colds, ’flu, fever, infectious disease.

Nervous System: Debility, nervous exhaustion.

OTHER USES: The oleoresin is used in digestive, carminative and laxative preparations; used as a fragrance component in cosmetics and perfumes, especially oriental and men’s fragrances; extensively employed in all major food categories, alcoholic and soft drinks.