A review of the world-wide researches on the therapeutic effects of ginger during the past two years

Ginger is an Indian and Chinese herb, and people of these countries have extensively used it for more than four thousand years. The edible part of ginger is an underground swollen stem called rhizome, compounded of starch, resin and essence. Indian medicine experts believe that ginger is an international drug. Apparently, the nonvolatile pungent compounds (phytochemicals) are causer of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, and gastro protective effects of ginger. Many digestive, antinausea, cold, and flu dietary supplements sold in the United States contain ginger extract as an ingredient. In Iran, this herb has been traditionally used, and nowadays, in addition to culinary uses it is applied as a herbal medicine. This article attempted to investigate the therapeutic effects of ginger explored around the world throughout the past two years. The results of these studies would pave the path for more exhaustive researches on the curing effects of ginger.