Ginger has long been considered an aphrodisiac, particularly for women. It is warming, and is said to increase blood flow to the groin. Like Viagra, ginger blocks the enzyme phosphodiesterase, which leads to certain desirable vascular changes. Ginger acts on at least two neurotransmitters systems: the serotonin-3 receptor, and the vanilloid/substance P receptor. Several studies have shown that ginger blocks nausea and motion sickness, and it increases the activity of smooth muscle in the stomach and intestines.

The only scientific study dealing with the aphrodisiac properties of ginger were on a Brazilian herb blend called catuama, which contains 4 herbs, including ginger and catuaba (another aphrodisiac). There is abundant unscientific testimony to the effectiveness of ginger as an aphrodisiac, particularly in Asia.

Ginger is incorporated into many food products, including ginger ale, ginger beer, ginger snaps, and candied ginger. Ting-Ting Jahe is a favorite candy of mine. It is a gummi candy (starch based) that contains LOTS of ginger power ... when Paris Hilton tried Ting Ting, she reportedly said "That is So Hot!" Ting Ting ginger candy is available at many Asian food stores, and at Amazon.com

While the plant commonly sold in the west is almost always a variety of Zingiber officinalis, a related species called Galangal (galingil) is popular in Southeast Asia. Galangal has a more complex aroma and taste which includes citrus notes. Some Asian groceries have galangal in the freezer section. The best value I have found is this bulk dried galangal, about $1 an ounce. Galangal powder is also available for use as a spice.

The naughty bakers at porn-bread.com have a recipe and clever set of patterns for their 'kama sutra' ginger cookies.

Ginger Factoids

Ginger root has been used as an herbal remedy for:

• Colds and flu
• Herpes, shingles and other viruses
• Reducing nausea from motion sickness and pregnancy/morning sickness
• Preventing migraine headaches
• Reducing inflammation and pain from arthritis
• Protecting against blood clots and atherosclerosis
• Reducing spasms
• Settling an upset stomach (in the old days, ginger ale had real ginger)

When ginger is dried, several of the active ingredients undergo a chemical transformation - the Chinese consider fresh ginger and dried ginger to be two different medicines.

Ginger 'root' is actually not a root - it's an underground stem, or rhizome.

Links

• Ginger Beer - a video recipe.

Research

1: Phytother Res. 2005 Jan;19(1):54-7.Click here to read Links
Clinical toxicology study of an herbal medicinal extract of Paullinia cupana, Trichilia catigua, Ptychopetalum olacoides and Zingiber officinale (Catuama) in healthy volunteers.

Miguel Servet Clinical Pharmacology Unit, 415 Jesuino Marcondes Machado Avenue, Campinas, SP 13092-320, Brazil. oliveira_ch@terra.com.br

In Brazil, a herbal medicinal extract named Catuama containing a mixture of Paullinia cupana (guarana; Sapindaceae), Trichilia catigua (catuaba; Meliaceae), Ptychopetalum olacoides (muirapuama; Olacaceae) and Zingiber officinale (ginger; Zingiberaceae) is used as a body stimulant, energetic, tonic and aphrodisiac. The present study investigated the chronic administration of 25 mL Catuama twice a day during 28 days for any toxic effect on healthy human volunteers of both sexes. No severe adverse reactions or haematological and biochemical changes were reported.

2: Yakugaku Zasshi. 1991 Nov;111(11):695-701. Links
[The study of Chinese herbal medicinal prescription with enzyme inhibitory activity. V. The study of hange-shashin-to, kanzo-shashin-to, shokyo-shashin-to with adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase]
[Article in Japanese]

Toho University, School of Phamaceutical Sciences, Chiba, Japan.

Fifty-nine species of extracts of Chinese herbal medicinal prescription were tested for inhibitory activity of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase (PDE). Kanzo-shashin-to showed the highest activity in these prescriptions. Kanzo-shashin-to, Hange-shashin-to and Shokyo-shashin-to, whose contracting crude drugs were very similar, were especially studied among these prescriptions. Pinellia tuber acted as an ascent component for Scutellaria root and a mitigatory component for Giycyrrhiza. Jujube acted as a mitigatory component for Glycyrrhiza. Ginger acted as an additional component for Scutellaria root in cAMP PDE test. This additional effect of 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol from Ginger and baicalin from Scutellaria root were investigated.

PMID: 1664464 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]