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The dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale (family Zingiberaceae), known in commerce as Jamaica g., African g., and Cochin g. The outer cortical layers are often either partially or completely removed; used as a carminative and flavoring agent. SYN: zingiber.
- Chinese g. SYN: galangal.
- Indian g. SYN: Asarum canadense.
- wild g. SYN: Asarum canadense.
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gin·ger 'jin-jər n
1 a) a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes in medicine
b) the spice usu. prepared by drying and grinding ginger
2) any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes esp a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most of the ginger of commerce
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gin·ger (jinґjər) [L. zingiber; Gr. zingiberis] [NF] 1. Zingiber officinale. 2. the dried rhizome of Z. officinale, used primarily as a flavoring agent. It is also used for the treatment of loss of appetite, flatulence, and colic and to prevent motion sickness in humans, and as a stimulant, carminative, and anticolic medication for horses.Medical dictionary. 2011.