An Investigation on the Properties of Zingiber officinale Rose and Its Application in Nutrition and Medicine Based on Scientific and Islamic Texts

Hamed Fathi; Fatemeh Faraji; Niusha Esmaealzadeh; Shahram Eslami; Mohammad Bagher  Mohammadi Laeeni

doi:10.18502/tbsrj.v3i4.7791

Hamed Fathi Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran -- Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Faraji Scientific-Applied Training Center of the Red Crescent Society of Mazandaran Province, Sari, Iran -- Non-Governmental Organisation of Iranian Health Biotechnology Researchers, Sari, Iran
Niusha Esmaealzadeh Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran -- Complementary and Integrative Medicine Interest Group (CIMIG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
Shahram Eslami Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran -- Student Research Committee, Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Mohammad Bagher Mohammadi Laeeni Department of Islamic Thought, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbsrj.v3i4.7791

Keywords: Avicenna, Ginger, Medical properties, Persian medicine, Quran

Abstract

Introduction: Zingiber officinale Rose (ginger) has been used for many purposes in traditional medicine since 2500 years ago. This study intends to introduce the ginger plant, some of their applications in the field of human health in traditional and modern medicine, and their conformity with Islamic and Quranic findings.

Material and Methods: Administrative and therapeutic information of ginger plant has been searched in related and valid books, scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SID, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Ginger keyword has been searched in the Quran and hadiths and its medicinal and pharmacological properties; also in traditional Persian medicine and laboratory studies, the day, was collected from published articles. In order to confirm the obtained information, it was matched with Quranic and narration versions, and the obtained information was analyzed, compiled, and presented.

Results: Avicenna has mentioned the positive effects of ginger in his Canon of Medicine. The Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health in Iran has also introduced ginger as a dietary supplement. Ginger is one of those plants which name is mentioned in the Quran, in verse 17 of Surah Al-Insan. In narrations and quoting scientists as well as in modern medicine and articles, the effects and application of this plant in the field of medicine and nutrition have been mentioned.

Conclusion: The results have shown that the use of ginger in nutrition as a spice or supplement and in Persian medicine as a medicament has a scientific and practical basis, and studies on this issue are confirmed both in science and Islam. Findings obtained from laboratory and clinical studies can also be effective in the proper use and preparation of appropriate medicinal forms of this plant.