Page 177 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

RHIZOMA ZINGIBERIS

Ginger, Zingiber, Zanjabeel

Ginger is the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Fam.
Zingiberaceae), deprived of the dark outer tissues and known as unbleached
Jamaica Ginger. Ginger yields not less than I % of volatile oil.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe is a perennial herb having a subterranean,
digitately branched rhizome that sends up stems. The plant is a native of south-
eastern Asia and is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical localities of
both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

The rhizomes are dug up upon the death of the aerial portions of the plants
and washed. They are then prepared in different ways for the market. In some
instances, they are peeled and then washed in clean water, often containing lime
juice, after which they are spread out on nets and dried in the sun for 5 or 6 days.
They are not allowed to get damp during the period of drying, otherwise they
become mouldy. After drying, the rhizomes are bleached by washing and dried
again for 2 days. In Jamaica this is the method employed in preparing the official
"Peeled Jamaica Ginger" In other countries, they are peeled on the flattened sides,
treated with boiling water and subsequently dried, as in the case with the "African
Ginger" and "Cochin Ginger" Again they may be peeled or scraped and then
coated with CaCO 3 or CaSO 4 to protect against the attacks of insect larvae.

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