# Zingiber

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/zingiber/

> Zingiber (Zingiber officinale) is a plant drug, from the Zingiberaceae family. 6-Shogaol (dehydrated product of gingerol, predominant in dry ginger/Shunthi) has better bioavailability (~40-50%) and 2-3x greater biological potency.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Zingiber officinale
- **Family:** Zingiberaceae

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Zingiber |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (Shunthi/dry [ginger](/herb/ginger/) powder), Svarasa (fresh ginger juice), Capsule, Tablet, Softgel (CO2 extract), Kwatha (decoction), Essential oil, Tincture, Crystallized/preserved ginger, Syrup, Paste

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g dry ginger powder twice daily; 5-10 mL fresh juice with honey; 250-500 mg standardized extract capsule twice daily; 1-2 g fresh ginger as food

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals for digestive stimulation and anti-emetic effect; with meals for carminative action; morning with warm water for metabolism activation; traditionally taken 30-60 minutes before travel in motion sickness

**Storage:** Fresh ginger at 12-14 deg C, 65% RH (not below 10 deg C to avoid chilling injury). Dry ginger in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-25 deg C. Oleoresin and essential oil in amber glass, tightly sealed, at 15-25 deg C. Protect from light and heat.

**Marker Compounds:** 6-Gingerol, 8-Gingerol, 10-Gingerol, 6-Shogaol, 8-Shogaol, 10-Shogaol, [Zingerone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#zingerone), Zingiberene, beta-Sesquiphellandrene, ar-Curcumene, beta-Bisabolene

### Synergistic Combinations

- Part of [Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/): Shunthi + Maricha + [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) - universal bioenhancer
- Lemon + ginger - anti-nausea combination with complementary mechanisms
- [Turmeric](/herb/turmeric/) ([Haridra](/herb/haridra/)) - anti-inflammatory synergy
- [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) (licorice) - GI protective combination
- Honey - traditional anupana for respiratory and digestive conditions
- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) - [immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) combination

## Reference lists that include it

[Family: Zingiberaceae](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/zingiberaceae/), [Flavonoids](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/flavonoids/), [Piperine](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/piperine/), [Saponins](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/saponins/), [Tannins](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/tannins/)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/zingiber/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.