What’s Hot about Ginger?
A very short, select list is given below for herbal medicines from Ayurvedic Herbs A Clinical Guide to the Healing Plants of Traditional Herbal Medicine, M.S. Premila, 2006. The list references Common to Botanical names and shows uses in the text, pages 343-345, and supported by citations to clinical studies. Uses of these herbs are shared by other sources, such as The Yoga of Herbs, Vasant Lad, 1996.
Common name: botanical name with uses of the herb (author Premila’s preference for major use of the herb)
Amla: Emblica officinalis (ulcer, tonic, hypolipidemic)
Ashwaganda: Withania somnifera (rheumatoid arthritis, memory enhancement, tonic, anti-aging)
Bringraj: Eclipta alba (ulcer, liver)
Cinnamon: Cinnamomum tamala (diabetes) or c. camphora?
Frankincense: Boswellia serrata (inflammatory bowel disease, bronchial asthma,
rhematoid arthritis, cancer therapy)
Guggul: Commiphora wightii (hypolipidemic) or c. mukkul?
Haritaki: Terminalia chebula (laxative)
Holy Basil: Ocimum sanctum (cough, cold, lung conditions)
Indian Long Pepper: Piper longum (bronchial asthma)
Licorice: Glycrrhiza glabra (ulcer, conjunctivitis)
Neem: Azdirachta indica for (skin diseases, wound, anti-diabetic, dental agent)
Shatavari: Asparagus racemosa for (ulcer, galactogogue, diabetic retinopathy)
Tumeric: Curcuma longa for inflammation, (cough, dyspepsia)
Valerian: Valeriana wallichi (sedative); V. jatamansi = Nardostachys jatamansi; Western herbalists use V. officinalis for sedative properties.
Zingiber officinalis: Ginger (malabsorption, antiemetic, rheumatoid arthritis)
