542 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



210. (Fig. 202.) ZINGIBER. Ginger. U. S. 



Fl. ex. 30. Tinct. 40, As a spice. 



Ingwer, G. Gingembre, Fr. 



The rhizomes of Zingiber officinate Roscce, Scitaminese. 



Peeled Light yellowish brown. 



Unpeeled Darker. 



Aromatic; ginger odor. 



Very pungent. 



Polygonal, brownish cork tissue of the unpeeled or only partially 

 peeled article. Parenchyma cells large, loosely united, filled with 

 large, simple oval to elliptical starch granules; some cells with resin 

 varying in color from bright lemon yellow to bright reddish brown. 

 The starch granules are fairly uniform in size, measuring from 30 to 45ju 

 in long diameter; the polarizing effects are not marked but delicately 

 distinct. Some tracheids and rather large reticulate to nearly spiral 

 ducts. 



Ash 4.5 per cent. 



Adulterated with starch, flour, chalk, capsicum, mustard, exhausted 

 ginger, etc. Old ginger becomes yellowed and brownish in color. 

 The powder of the unpeeled ginger is darker than that of the peeled 

 rhizomes and will reveal the cork tissue cells. 



