pharmacognosy

Infusion of Ginger by I.Randi

Generality

The infusion of ginger is a liquid preparation obtained by infusing the rhizomes of the plant in boiling water.

The use of the infusion of ginger to combat various disorders has been a great success especially in recent years, even if its first uses in the field of popular medicine date back to thousands of years ago. In particular, it seems that the first to use the ginger infusion as a remedy to heal different evils were the Chinese, thousands of years before the birth of Christ.

Even today, a large number of properties are attributed to the infusion of ginger, although in reality - as will be seen in this article - not all have been properly confirmed by scientific evidence.

Please note

The infusion of ginger must not be confused with the decoction of ginger, another type of liquid preparation obtained by boiling the rhizome of the plant in water for at least 15-30 minutes.

Preparation

How to prepare the ginger tea?

The ginger infusion can be prepared either starting from the fresh rhizome, or starting from the dried rhizome.

The dried rhizome can be bought in specialty stores such as health food stores. If, instead, you want to use the fresh rhizome, you can also buy it at the supermarket.

In the vast majority of cases, however, the ginger infusion is prepared with the dried and powdered rhizome.

Alternatively, on the market it is possible to find sachets (similar to those of tea) ready to be infused.

However, if you do not buy the ready-to-use sachets and if you do not buy the powdered rhizome, you must prepare the drug before proceeding with the infusion. In detail, if you buy the whole rhizome, it must be finely chopped. After that, you can proceed as follows:

  • Place the chopped ginger rhizome (or sachet) inside a container.
  • Bring about 250-300 ml of water to the boil.
  • Once boiling is reached, stop the heating and immediately pour the boiling water into the cup containing the ginger.
  • Leave to infuse for at least 10-15 minutes.
  • Filter everything with filter paper, gauze or a tea strainer. The type of filtration will depend on the size of the chopped rhizome. If the ready-to-use pouch is used, simply remove it from the cup as it is.
  • Drink the hot ginger infusion.

To the ginger infusion thus obtained you can add a slice of lemon, or possibly just the rind. Furthermore, depending on one's tastes, the ginger infusion can also be sweetened, for example, with honey or with cane sugar.

Characteristics of the Infusion operation

The operation by which the ginger infusion is prepared is the so-called infusion which consists essentially of letting the plant's drug soak in boiling water.

Compared to the decoction, which involves boiling drugs and water together for varying periods of time, the infusion is a milder hot extraction process.

Generally, it is used to extract active ingredients from not too consistent plant drugs (such as flowers, leaves, etc.), but it can also be used to extract active ingredients from bark, roots and rhizomes, in particular, when the degradation of any thermolabile active ingredients present inside the plant.

However, it should be pointed out that with the preparation of the ginger infusion it is not possible to know exactly which and how many active ingredients are extracted and, consequently, assumed. In addition, since the rhizome is macerated in water, the extracted active ingredients will be hydrophilic in nature; while those of a hydrophobic nature are unlikely to pass into solution.

To learn more: Infusion ยป

storage

How is the Ginger Infusion stored?

The infusion of ginger - similar to the decoction of ginger - is an extemporaneous preparation that must be prepared and consumed preferably at the time, when it is still warm. If this is not possible, the infusion should be kept in the refrigerator, but for a period of time less than 24 hours.

Features and Properties

The infusion of ginger generally appears as a clear solution of a more or less dark yellow color. The flavor and smell naturally recall that of the plant's rhizome, spicy and pungent.

Numerous properties are attributed to the infusion of ginger, some of which are however without scientific basis. Below, they will be briefly described.

Hypothetical Properties Attributed to the Ginger Infusion

Among the hypothetical activities that the infusion of ginger would be able to exercise, we recall the anti-inflammatory, the anti-arthritic and the slimming ones.

To be fair, studies conducted on ginger have actually shown that this plant can potentially carry out the aforementioned activities but, above all, these studies have been conducted not on the infusion of ginger, but on extracts of the plant titrated and standardized in gingerols and / or shogaoli, or on single molecules extracted from the rhizome; secondly, many of these researches have been conducted in vitro and on animals but not on humans; finally, the data collected so far are not sufficient to confirm with absolute certainty that ginger is able to carry out the aforementioned therapeutic activities.

In light of what has been said so far, it can therefore be stated that - although the intake of a warm ginger infusion may prove pleasant - the chances of it being able to exercise anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic or slimming activities are almost nil.

Digestive Properties of the Ginger Infusion

Among the properties ascribed to ginger which can also be traced to the infusion obtained from it, we find the digestive properties. In fact, ginger is able to promote digestion and to combat the symptoms associated with dyspepsia, such as swelling, flatulence, borborigmas, etc.

The digestive properties attributed to the infusion of ginger are also attributed to the decoction. However, since the infusion is a less energetic method of extracting the decoction, there is the probability that the amount of extracted active ingredients is less, consequently, also the digestive action of the ginger infusion could prove to be more bland than that of the decoction.

Did you know that ...

Since the infusion is a milder process of extraction than the decoction, generally, during the preparation of the ginger infusion - in addition to the chopped or powdered rhizome - other plants with analogous digestive properties are also added, in order to increase the activity of the final preparation.

Also adding lemon to the ready-made ginger infusion can help to increase the digestive action of the preparation.

However, to promote digestion, it is usually recommended to take a cup of ginger infusion after lunch and a cup after dinner.

Infusion of Ginger and Antinausea Properties

Scientific studies have amply demonstrated how ginger is able to exercise control and prevention activities on nausea and vomiting induced by motion sickness. Even in this case, however, studies have been conducted on extracts of the plant titrated and standardized in active ingredients and certainly not on the infusion of ginger. As repeatedly stated, in fact, through the infusion operation it is not possible to know exactly which and how many active ingredients have been extracted and, in any case, it is very unlikely that their concentration in the final product is sufficient to exercise the action antiemetic and antinausea mentioned above.

To try to obtain a therapeutic-like effect using ginger, it is usually preferable to use standardized preparations and titrated in active ingredients (gingerols). Only in this way, in fact, can we know the exact type and the actual quantity of active substances that are being taken.

In this regard, it should be noted that there are various ginger-based food supplements on the market that are indicated for their digestive function.

However, before resorting to the use of similar products, it is always good to ask the advice of your doctor.

Action mechanism

How does the Ginger Infusion work to Promote Digestion?

The action favoring the digestion exercised by the infusion of ginger is attributable to the gingerols contained in the rhizome of the plant. In fact, they have been shown to be able to stimulate gastric secretion and, at the same time, to be able to stimulate intestinal peristalsis .

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Infusion of Ginger during Pregnancy and Lactation: yes or no?

Usually, we always advise against using ginger or its preparations during pregnancy and lactation. In fact, the studies carried out in this regard are not sufficient to establish the safety of use of ginger in these particular phases of a woman's life.

For this reason, intake of the ginger infusion is generally contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

In any case, this category of patients should always seek the advice of their doctor or gynecologist before taking any natural remedy.

Side effects and contraindications

What are the Side Effects and Contraindications of the Ginger Infusion?

Although the concentration of active ingredients in ginger infusion is undoubtedly lower than that contained in the entire rhizome or in the food supplements based on this plant, it is believed that the possible side effects and contraindications are similar.

Therefore, taking ginger infusion can cause diarrhea, heartburn and allergies in sensitive patients, situations in which its use is generally contraindicated:

  • In patients suffering from gallstones and / or suffering from stomach acid;
  • In patients treated with calcium channel blockers, antidiabetic drugs and / or anticoagulant drugs;
  • In pregnancy and during lactation.

However, if you suffer from any kind of ailment or if you are following pharmacological therapies, before taking the ginger infusion it would be good to ask for the preventive advice of your doctor, in order to exclude the presence of any contraindications or potential risks .