Ginger zingeber officinalis

Asthma

Tincture of ginger reduced asthma symptoms such as coughing at night, fewer asthma attacks, and reduced use of spray medication. To top it off, the study used a dosage that was less than the usual therapeutic dose. (J Nutr 2006; 5(4):373-376)

Atherosclerosis

In mice it was found that ginger could reduce cholesterol and slow the development of atherosclerosis. (J Nutr. 2000 May;130(5):1124-31)
Oxidative stress – a study published electronically Apr 3 2008 demonstrated that dietary ginger fed to rats prevented oxidative stress (Phytother Res. 2008 Apr 3)
Cancer & Cancer Prevention – study suggests that ginger may be useful for anti-tumour effects. The study showed cell shrinkage and anti-oxidant action.  This in vitro study demonstrated the dose dependent suppression of the proliferation of cells. (Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2007 May;100(5):302-7)
In a study on human colorectal cancer, ginger worked in a variety of ways to stop cancer cells from multiplying, as well as causing cancer cell death. (Mol Carcinog. 2008 Mar;47(3):197-208) Another study suggested that dietary ginger may have a role in the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer. (BMC Complement Altern Med. 2007 Dec 20;7:44)

Protection during conventional anti-cancer therapy

In a study on mice using the cancer drug cisplatin (a known kidney toxin) ginger protected the kidneys. (Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Jun;45(6):921-7)

Digestion

Along with its anti-inflammatory action, and its ability to reduce nausea, ginger is also useful for dealing with infection of the digestive tract. One example is a study using an extract of ginger on mice, where almost all worms of the variety schistosomes were killed within 24 hours. (J Helminthol. 2002 Sep;76(3):241-7)
Ginger is a powerful and inexpensive inhibitor of the gastric ulcer causing organism, H. pylori. (Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Mar;51(3):324-32)

Inflammation

A series of studies demonstrated that ginger significantly decreased knee pain, and that it’s anti-inflammatory action was similar to that of some conventional remedies (COX and LOX enzyme inhibitors). (American Botanical Council’s Herb Clip # 080751-299)

Liver protection

In rats, it showed protective qualities for liver cells exposed to oxidative damage. (J Nat Prod. 2008 Jan;71(1):12-7) One extract of ginger was tested in rats and found to be protective against liver toxicity caused by acetaminophen. (Food Chem. Toxicol. 2007 Nov;45(11):2267-72)

Nausea

Including after surgery, morning sickness, and travel sickness
Ginger is as effective for motion sickness as many pharmaceuticals such as cyclizine, dimenhydrinate, domperidone, meclizine, and scopolamine. (Acta Otolaryngol 1998;105:45-49
Healthnotes Rev 1999;6:98-101
Healthnotes Rev 1999;6:102-107
Lancet 1982;1:655-657
J Travel Med 1994;1:203-206)
Even pregnant women find that nausea is reduced significantly. In one study it improved in 77% of the women. (Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9:19-21) Although there have been a few studies that say it doesn’t work. The majority of them show that it does.

Respiratory infection

Ginger demonstrated antibacterial activity against four respiratory tract pathogens – Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenze. (East Afr Med J. 2002 Nov;79(11):588-92)