INVESTIGATION OF THE MEDICINAL USES OF GINGER IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a widely used and long-established medicinal herb in traditional medicine, and it is also a familiar ingredient in daily health care practices. According to traditional medicine theory, ginger has a pungent taste and warm nature, and it enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Its main functions include warming the middle burner, dispersing cold, stopping vomiting, resolving phlegm, and restoring yang in severe cold conditions. Owing to these properties, ginger is commonly used in the treatment of cold-related disorders such as common cold, cold-induced abdominal pain, digestive disorders, nausea, and vomiting.

In addition, ginger is also widely applied as a supportive remedy in cases of cough due to cold, abdominal distension, indigestion, and impaired digestive function. In clinical practice, ginger is used in two main forms: fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang) and dried ginger (Gan Jiang), depending on the pattern of cold–heat differentiation, with dried ginger having a stronger warming effect.

In addition to traditional medicine theory, many modern studies have shown that ginger contains important bioactive compounds such as gingerol and shogaol. These compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, mild analgesic effects, and improvement of digestive function. This article aims to systematically review and summarize the therapeutic uses of ginger in traditional medicine, while clarifying its practical applications in current healthcare, thereby contributing to the integration of traditional and modern medicine.