CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature

Ginger is a native Asian vegetable (herb). Ginger is also a Rhizome which means mass of

root. Meaning, if a rhizome is separated into pieces, each piece may be able to give rise to a new

plant.There is two kinds of ginger available, young and mature. They both look differently and

both have different flavor. Young one is mild and skin could be eaten and mature is more bitter-

spicy and skin should be peeled.

Likewise, ginger is well known as a natural remedy for centuries reliving motion and

morning sickness to helping cancer patients especially after chemotherapy. Of course like many

homemade natural remedy it always takes longer for you to feel better using alternative way, and

it will not cure any diseases but certainty will help protect you by making your immune system

stronger.

Moreover, the use of natural or alternative medicines has increased markedly over the

last few years. More and more older adults (i.e., baby boomers) are using complementary and

alternative medicine dietary supplements and herbal remedies without advice from a physician

on the assumption that these substances will have a beneficial effect (Cohen, EK, and Pan 2002).

However, this might not be a safe or advisable practice. For example, at least one recent

chemotherapeutic drug interactions in cancer survey revealed a significant problem with herb-

patients and, notably, at least half of the herbal remedies taken by these patients lacked research

data documenting their potential interactions (Engdal, Klepp, and Nilsen 2009).
 Regrettably, a great deal of the information regarding the effectiveness and safety of

these remedies has been garnered from anecdotal or historical accounts, and much of the

information offered is generally misleading and might even be detrimental (Ernst and Schmidt

2002).

The lemon originated in Southeast Asia, probably in India or southern China. In the 1600s,

physicians became aware that daily intake of lemon juice would prevent outbreaks of scurvy

among sailors on long sea voyages. English ships were required by law to carry enough lemon or

lime juice for each sailor to get 1 ounce daily, earning them the nickname limeys.

In California, lemon industry became established after the gold rush of 1849. From 1940

to 1965, production increased and the United States became a major provider of lemons. More

than 50% of the US lemon crop is processed into juice and other drink products. The peel, pulp,

and seeds are used to make oils, pectin, or other products.

In addition lemon juice has long been used as an astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, gargle,

lotion, and tonic. Application of lemon juice in conjunction with exposure to sunlight was once

thought to fade tattoos, but this theory was disproven. Lemon has also been used externally for

acne, fungus (ringworm and athlete's foot), sunburn, and warts. Lemon history retrieved from

http://gsoextracts.com/lemon/ August 10, 2017.

Also lemons can lend a wonderful and dynamic flavor to many sauces, salad dressings,

marinades, drinks, and desserts. Lemons first achieved their healthy claim to fame onboard the

ships of early explorers. They were consumed to help treat scurvy, a then-common disease among

the sailors.
 In 1747, James Lind found that lemons and oranges were extremely effective at treating

the disease; we now know that scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency from months at sea

without any fresh produce.

This Medical News Today Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on

the health benefits of popular foods. It provides a nutritional breakdown of lemons, an in-depth

look at their possible health benefits, how to incorporate more lemons into your diet, and any

potential health risks of consuming lemons.

The Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an

effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief.

Lemon and ginger benefits retrieved from http://www.healtheries.co.nz/articles/detail/the-

benefits-of-lemon-and-ginger August 9, 2017.

Related Studies

According to Jaenna Walker, a nutrionist said that lemon and ginger have long been

incorporated into warm beverages and herbal teas. This combination was traditionally used

to soothe the digestive system, settle the stomach and relieve mild nausea. It was also

thought to be a support to the immune system, making it an important winter wellness

drink. These days, we know a little more about each of the key ingredients and the benefits

they can provide.

 Moshonas and Shaw (2000) conducted an early study on aqueous lemon and lime juice

essences obtained from the condensation of vapors from the first stage of a commercial juice

evaporator. Alcohols and aldehydes comprised the largest compound classes in the lemon and lime

extracts. Lemon and lime share many of the same compounds including linalool, nerol, geranial,

neral, perillaldeyde and limonene.

A study conducted approximately 3 years later, also published by Shaw and others, focused

on mandarin and grapefruit flavor. They found hydrogen sulfide in the headspace above most types

of citrus juices, including lemon and lime. However, hydrogen sulfide content was low in lemons

and limes compared to oranges and grapefruit; in the latter two fruits hydrogen sulfide may play a

role in the overall aroma and flavor of the fresh juice. The aroma-active compounds were identified

and compared in lime peel oil obtained via extraction and distillation. The two varieties of lime

studied were Citrus aurantifolia Swingle (key or Mexican lime) and Citrus latifolia Tanaka

(Persian or Tahiti lime). Oils from both varieties are commonly used in the flavor industry, with

key 12 lime oil preferred for use in beverages.

Likewise, a review published by the National Institute of Health lists ginger as a plant with

one of the highest amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells from aging-related

diseases and toxins that can lead to cancers. An efficient anti-depressant, Ginger smooth mind and

gives a brain calmness and relief. Ginger can help you decrease weight, although less known but

one study by Japanese researchers shown that overweight mice did in fact led to weight loss using

Ginger supplements. Ginger can lower cholesterol, again lesser known effect.

Furthermore, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating

symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent

carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal

spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Modern scientific

research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including

antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and

direct anti-inflammatory effects.

Ginger can not only be warming on a cold day, but can help promote healthy

sweating, which is often helpful during colds and flus. A good sweat may do a lot more

than simply assist detoxification.

German researchers have recently found that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting

agent that may help fight off infections. Investigators have isolated the gene responsible

for the compound and the protein it produces, which they have named dermicidin.

Dermicidin is manufactured in the body's sweat glands, secreted into the sweat, and

transported to the skin's surface where it provides protection against invading

microorganisms, including bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (a common

cause of skin infections), and fungi, including Candida albicans. Ginger is so concentrated

with active substances, you don't have to use very much to receive its beneficial effects.

For nausea, ginger tea made by steeping one or two 1/2-inch slices (one 1/2-inch slice

equals 2/3 of an ounce) of fresh ginger in a cup of hot water will likely be all you need to

settle your stomach. For arthritis, some people have found relief consuming as little as a

1/4-inch slice of fresh ginger cooked in food, although in the studies noted above, patients

who consumed more ginger reported quicker and better relief. Related studies in ginger
and lemon. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-

medicine/alternative/medical-uses-forginger-ga.htm.