**2.4 As a supplement**

Dietary supplementation with essential oil of ginger has been recorded to improve immunological, haematological and biochemical parameters as well as performance of broilers [32]. This is proposed to enhance organic poultry which is evidently healthier and was recently recommended in the poultry industry. Supplementing fish diet with ginger oil also improved resistance to disease, immune response and growth of the fishes [33]. In addition, ginger supplement in broiler feed increased feed conversion rate, weight gain, improved blood parameters and general performance of the birds [34]. Elazab et al. [35] also reported how the inclusion of ginger essential oil in rabbit diet improved meat quality, growth performance and weight gain.

### **2.5 As an antioxidant**

The essential oil of ginger is a potent antioxidant agent [36]. It was reported by [37] to improve the antioxidant status of heat stressed broilers and has been proposed to be a better source of antioxidants in the diet of broilers than synthetic antioxidants. In addition, ginger essential oil inhibits *in vitro* lipid peroxidation as well as scavenging hydroxyl and superoxide radicals [11]. Antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which were reduced in oxidative stressed rats was reported to increase with the oral administration of ginger essential oil [21].

### **2.6 Anti-cancer agent**

Bioactive compounds present in ginger such as 6-gingerol have been documented to bring about apoptosis in cancerous cells. Treatment with the essential oil of ginger was seen to reduce tumour sizes by over 50% [11].

### **2.7 Anti-inflammatory agent**

The use of ginger oil in the reduction of inflammation has been documented by [11]. The aromatic components of the essential oil of ginger such as terpenes are responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity [38]. Ginger oil also alters T cell nonspecific production and cell-mediated immune response [39].

## **2.8 For commercial use**

Ginger oil was largely produced in Europe and America but is now a great commercial product globally especially in Jamaica, China, Indonesia, India and Australia [4]. Ginger essential oil is utilised in production companies as a preservative (an antimicrobial), a food enhancer (to improve taste or flavour) or an additive. It has been employed in the production of bakery products, pharmaceuticals, beverages, pesticides, hair care products, aromatic oils for aromatherapy amongst others.

### **2.9 As an antinausea, antiemetic and gastroprotective agent**

The antinausea, antiemetic and gastro-protective activities of ginger has been extensively documented [40]. It has been said that the primary use of ginger is to combat nausea [28]. A study by [41] showed that the inhalation of the volatile oil of ginger reduced the post-operative occurrence of nausea and vomiting in human subjects that underwent abdominal surgery. Ginger essential oil was also shown to inhibit gastric ulcer in rats by 85.1% which was confirmed by histopathology of the stomach lining [21].

#### **2.10 As beverage**

There is an increased cognizance on the health benefits of consuming ginger-based beverages thereby, leading to growth in its demand [42]. The use of natural products such as ginger to spice up beverages is currently more acceptable than the use of chemicals or synthetic agents, as natural products are known to enhance health by enriching food products with bioactive phytoconstituents and other essential nutrients needed by the body [43].

#### **2.11 As perfume**

The strong aroma of ginger has made it a very good source of perfume [29]. This aroma has been attributed to gingerol, a pungent ketone, present in large quantity in ginger oil. Aromatherapy has been employed in the curation of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients exposed to chemotherapy. Thus, inhalation of ginger oil has been ascertained to be an effective complementary therapy in most cases of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy [44].

#### **2.12 Other uses**

Other uses of ginger essential oil include its antispasmodic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, neuroprotective, antiplatelet aggregation, anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, carminative, appetite enhancer and expectorant uses [40]. It also promotes sweating, soothes aches, relaxes peripheral blood vessels as well as stimulates blood circulation [45].
