Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of leaves) about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades. The inflorescences bear flowers having pale yellow petals with purple edges, and arise directly from the rhizome on separate shoots.
Medicinally, ginger is among the most potent anti-emetics (meaning prevents nausea), this is due to its dopamine receptor antagonism within the CTZ (chemoreceptor trigger zone) in the brain stem. This region of the brain detects toxins in the blood and is responsible for the nausea reflex, sending messages to the stomach to purge. Blocking the receptors on the CTZ disables the reflex and thus reduces nausea.
It has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and has been used for weight loss.
How to grow?
How to grow ginger in a garden
- Choose a sheltered spot in your garden with well-drained soil.
- Cut the ginger by ‘eyes’ with a sharp knife, and make sure the pieces are at least 3 cm wide.
- Leave the piece to cure for a few days.
- Plant the pieces out in 20 cm intervals, 5-10 cm deep. Water lightly and check daily to make sure the soil doesn’t dry out.
- Harvest by digging the roots out in autumn.
How to grow ginger in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 300 mm wide and deep and position it in a sheltered spot.
- Cut the ginger with a sharp knife, ensuring ‘bud eyes’ are included in pieces at least 3 cm wide.
- Leave the pieces to cure for a few days.
- Plant one piece per pot, 5-10 cm deep. Water lightly and check daily to make sure the soil doesn’t dry out.
- Harvest by digging the roots out in autumn.
Growing tips
- Digging roots out annually and replanting will enhance harvest.
- Mulch the soil well to retain soil moisture.
- Stop watering once the green stems die down, let the soil dry out before harvesting.
- Bring potted ginger indoors in winter, as it is not frost tolerant.