**5. Medicinal uses and potential health benefits in modern medicine industry**

As a powerful anti-oxidant, ginger extract can treat illnesses induced by oxidative stress. Extant anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, such as sugevals and gingerols, have been shown to have neuroprotective qualities, such as memory enhancement, analgesic effects, and learning induced by aging [43]. Ginger can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory, including drinks, puddings, apple pie, cakes, breads, sweets, and sauces, soups, savory puddings, grills, roasts, stews, and more [44]. Furthermore, heat had no influence on the active hypoglycaemic component of ginger, as a result, ginger consumption in both cooked and raw forms in a variety of cuisines could be an effective diabetes management strategy. Ginger contains anti nausea, antimicrobial, cardio tonic, antiemetic, antipyretic, anti-hypertensive,

analgesic, anti ulcer, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-platelet aggregation effects in both experimental animals and human patients [41]. Antibacterial agents, gingerols, phenylbutenoids, diterpenoids, shogaols, diarylheptanoids, sesquiterpenoids, and flavanoids, as well as phenylbutenoids, diarylheptanoids, flavonoids, and diterpenoids, were discovered in phytochemical examination of many species of ginger rhizomes [45, 46]. Because ginger leaves have more antioxidant activity than rhizomes and flowers, it has been proven in some studies that it has significant potential for development into functional foods and other health products [47]. An infusion of ginger rhizomes with brown sugar is used to cure common colds, according to Semwal et al. [15], while scrambled eggs with powdered ginger is used as a home remedy in China to relieve coughing. Ginger is used in the United States to treat motion sickness and morning sickness during pregnancy, as well as leg cramps [15]. Maghbooli et al. [48] confirmed the effectiveness of ginger powder in the treatment of common migraine attacks and its antiepileptic drug-like properties. Ginger has been found in numerous trials to help prevent cancer and to treat nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy and chemotherapy [49–51].

Ginger has the ability to preserve DNA from harm caused by H2O2 and may be useful in improving sperm quality [52]. Ginger rhizome has long been used in Iran to improve male sexuality, control female menstrual cycles, and relieve painful periods [53]. Mahassni and Bukhari [54] revealed that the extract of ginger rhizome had varied effects on immune system cells and antibodies in smokers and non-smokers, despite the fact that both benefited from thyroid gland augmentation. Furthermore, ginger may help smokers with anemia, whereas it may help non-smokers have a higher humoral immunity or antibody response to infections. According to Atashak et al. [55], both ginger supplementation and progressive resistance training (PRT)

Treats diarrhea Relieves nausea Prevents menstrual cramps Prevents obesity Treats cold and flu Prevents infection Improves cognition Skin care Aids in proper digestion Reduces arthritis pain Stomach ulcers Detoxifies the body Relives asthma Relieves muscle pain Liver protection Prevents cancer Controls diabetes Boosts heart health Increases sexual activity Improves brain function Removes excess gas Regulates blood sugar Regulates blood sugar Regulates blood sugar Regulates blood sugar Regulates blood sugar

**Table 2.** *The most significant advantages of ginger.*

### *The Therapeutic and Phytopharmacological Potential of Ginger (*Zingiber officinale*) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105900*

protect against oxidative stress after 10 weeks, therefore both therapies can help obese persons. Future trials focused on the efficacy of *Z. officinale* in treating various forms of pain, as well as treatment duration, dosing methodologies, safety, and cost efficiency, will be built on the foundation laid by Gagnier et al. [56]. **Table 2** lists the most major health advantages of ginger [41].
