Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale Rose.

Description: Erect, smooth plant with thickened and aromatic rootstocks. Leafy stems are 0.4 to 1 meter high. Leaves are distichous, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 15-25 cm long, and 2 cm wide or less. Scape from rootstock is erect, 15-25 cm high, covered with imbricate bracts. Calyx is 1 cm long. Corolla is greenish-yellow with a tube less than 2 cm long.

Traditional Uses:

• Antiseptic: Prepare tincture of dried rhizome with 70% alcohol (not rubbing alchol) and apply on superficial cuts and wounds or use juice from fresh rhizome.
• As digestive aid and for flatulence and tympanism: Take decoction of the rhizome as tea.
• Rheumatism: Pound roasted rhizome, mix with oil and apply locally.
• Sore throat and hoarseness : Take warm decoction of the rhizome as ginger tea (salabat) or chew a small piece of rhizome.
• Cough remedy and carminative.
• Diuretic.
• Hangovers.
• Headaches: Ginger plaster (bruised ginger in water to the consistency of poultice) applied to the forehead. Same preparation may be helpful for toothaches and facial pain.
• Ginger tea preparation, the Chinese way : Bring one cup of water to boil. Add one teaspoon of the roasted (parched and browned) rice and a small piece of ginger root. Boil for one minute. Let stand to cool for drinking. (Preparation of dried rice: Pour enough water to cover 1/2 cup white rice in a flat dish; and let stand overnight. In the morning, drain off the excess water. Roast the rice in a dry pan, stirring constantly until parched and brown. Store in a glass jar for future use, tightly covered to keep moisture out.)

Excerpts from: "An illustrated compilation of Philippine medicinal plants by Godofredo Stuart"