A Review: Is Ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Roscoe) Potential for Future Phytomedicine?

Abstract

Zingiber officinale Roscoe (red:ginger), one of the most widely consumed herbs in Asia, has been empirically used to treat various disorders in Indonesia. There are three known types of ginger: giant ginger or white ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Roscoe), small white ginger or ginger emprit (Zingiber officinale var. Amarum), and red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum). The main components of ginger rhizome are carbohydrates, lipids, essential oils, terpenes, and phenol compounds such as gingerol (23-25%) and shogaol (18-25%). Many studies had confirmed beneficial effects of ginger against inflammation, free radicals, diabetes mellitus, bacterial infection, cancer, nausea, etc. Z. officinale var. Roscoe is considered a safe herbal with not significant adverse effects. This plant is potential to be developed for future phytomedicine, however further explorations on its clinical studies in humans is expected, especially the efficacy and safety of the risk of side effects.