ZANJABEEL (GINGER): A CULINARY SPICE WITH ITS POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Interest in medicine has been almost universal and constant since the beginning of man. The various indigenous systems such as Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha use several plant species to treat different ailments. The Unani (Greco-Arab) system of medicine has been practiced since ancient times for the treatment of range of diseases. Traditional medicine usually takes a “holistic” approach where the physical, spiritual (which includes mental), and most often social well-being of an individual are treated. Thus, the medicinal value of an herbal product may be intimately related to its nutritional and psychological aspects. Modern medicines, on the other hand, are relatively more focused on particular diseases based on specific etio-pathological entities.It is estimated that between 70% and 95% of citizens in a majority of developing countries use traditional medicine for the management of health and as primary health care to address their health-care needs and concerns. Medicinal plants play an important role in the development of potent therapeutic agents. It is estimated that at least 25% of all modern medicines are derived, either directly or indirectly, from medicinal plants, primarily through the application of modern technology to traditional knowledge. Zanjabeel (Ginger) is a very famous herbal drug which is widely used in world as spice as well as drug in traditional medicine. This article aims at reviewing the Zanjabeel on the basis of description in Unani system of medicine as well as ethnomedicine, its Pharmacological actions, therapeutic usesand to discuss scientific studies aimed at isolation and identification of phytochemical constituents,scientific validation of its pharmacological actions in various diseases.