Zanjabeel (Zingiber offcinale) Transformation of Culinary Spice to a multi-functional Medicine

The various traditional systems such as Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha use several plant species to treat different ailments. The Unani (Greco-Arab) system of medicine has been practiced since ancient times for the treatment of range of diseases. Traditional medicine usually takes a “holistic” approach where the physical, spiritual (which includes mental), and most often social well-being of an individual are treated. Thus, the medicinal value of an herbal product may be intimately related to its nutritional and psychological aspects. It is estimated that between 70% and 95% of citizens in a majority of developing countries use traditional medicine for the management of health and as primary health care to address their health-care needs and concerns. Medicinal plants play an important role in the development of potent therapeutic agents. Zanjabeel (Zingiber officinale) is a very famous herbal drug which is widely used in world as spice as well as drug in traditional medicine. This article aims at reviewing the Zanjabeel on the basis of description in Unani system of medicine, its Pharmacological actions and therapeutic uses and to discuss scientific studies. Keywords: Zanjabeel, Unani, Pharmacological actions, therapeutic uses.