Ginger: A Versatile Healing Herb

"Ginger, valued as a spice since antiquity has been used through ages in almost all systems of medicine against many a maladies. It is now accepted as a drug of choice for nausea and vomiting even in severe pregnancy related morning sickness. A natural pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory agent, ginger has been clinically established as a drug for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is also useful in curing ulcer and preventing heart attack and stroke. A number of active constituents have been isolated from the ginger oleoresin and characterized during the last three decades."The present book fulfills the long felt need of a comprehensive account on this versatile herb. It covers all aspects of ginger, viz., cultivation, identification, medicinal uses, especially those established by clinical trials, applications in Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic and Tribal systems of medicine, home remedies and other uses as well as pharmacological investigations. The special feature for those interested in medicinal chemistry is the detailed phytochemistry of ginger, complete with the relevant syntheses, biogenesis and structure-pungency relationships. References (200) of the up-to-date literature, selective patents, the glossary of medicinal terms and general index have also been incorporated."Contents: Preface. I. Introduction: 1. Folkloric background. 2. Historical background. 3. Traditional uses. 4. Current status. II. Cultivation: 1. Occurrence and distribution. 2. Cultivation of ginger. 3. Protection of plant from pests and fungal diseases. 4. Storage. 5. Processing of rhizomes. 6. Varieties of dried ginger. 7. Types of commercial ginger. III. Identification: 1. Vernacular names. 2. Description. 3. Pharmacognostic characteristics. 4. Properties. 5. General tests for identification. 6. Adulterants. IV. Medicinal uses: 1. Parts used. 2. Medicinal uses. 3. Ayurvedic properties. 4. Ayurvedic uses. 5. Homeopathic uses. 6. Unani uses. 7. Tribal uses. 8. Veterinary uses. 9. Recommended dosages. 10. Side effects and toxicity. 11. Precautions. V. Home remedies and other uses: 1. Home remedies. 2. Other uses. VI. Pharmacological actions: 1. Pharmacological actions. 2. Combination drugs. VII. Phytochemistry: 1. Phytochemical constituents. 2. Synthesis of Gingerols and related compounds. 3. Biogenesis of Gingerols and the Diarylheptanones. 4. Structure pungency relationship. VIII. Bibliography: 1. Books and monographs. 2. Journals. IX. Appendix: 1. Selected patents. 2. Contents of patents. 3. Glossary of medical terms. 4. Index (for the text).