Zingiber officinalis , commonly known as ginger, is one of the most commonly consumed dietary condiments in the world. Since ancient times, the rhizome of ginger has been used in various traditional systems of medicines such as Greek, Roman, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean ad Arabic alternative medicines. In various systems of traditional medicine, ginger is reported to be carminative, diaphoretic and antispasmodic as well as an anti-inflammatory. It was also deemed useful in treating headaches, the common cold and muscular discomfort. Studies have shown that ginger possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Phytochemical studies have shown that ginger rhizome contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds that are possibly due to gingerols, shogaols, paradols and zingerone.