Ginger: From Ancient Healer to Modern Marvel姜：古藥新用

Ginger， the aromatic root known for its unique flavor， has a fascinating history as a medicinal powerhouse. From ancient civilizations to modern times， ginger has played a pivotal role in traditional medicine and emerged as a popular health remedy in various cultures. This article takes you on a journey through ginger’s remarkable medicinal history.

姜是一種氣味芳香的植物根莖，以其獨特的味道聞名于世。作為一味重要的藥材，姜有一段迷人的歷史。從古代文明到現代社會，姜在傳統醫學中始終扮演著重要的角色，并在很多文化中成為頗受歡迎的保健藥品。這篇文章將帶你踏上一段精彩絕倫的旅程，探索姜的藥用史。

Ancient beginnings

遙遠的緣起

The use of ginger for its medicinal properties dates back over 5，000 years to ancient China and India. It was one of the earliest spices to be cultivated and traded. The early applications of ginger included：

人們利用姜的藥用特性已有5000余年的歷史，可以追溯至古中國與古印度。姜是人類最早培育和交易的香料之一。早期姜的用途包括：

· Digestive aid： In Ayurvedic medicine， ginger was used to stimulate digestion and treat various digestive ailments.

· 助消化：在阿育吠陀醫學中，姜被用于刺激消化以及治療各種消化系統疾病。

· Anti-Inflammatory： Ancient Chinese herbalists employed ginger for its anti-inflammatory properties， using it to alleviate pain and joint stiffness.

· 消炎：中國古代的草藥醫師利用姜的消炎特性來緩解疼痛和關節僵硬。

· Respiratory health： Ginger was utilized to ease respiratory conditions， such as coughs and colds.

· 呼吸系統健康：姜被用來緩解呼吸系統疾病，比如咳嗽和感冒。

Ginger in the Middle East

姜在中東

As trade routes expanded， ginger’s reputation as a medicinal herb spread to the Middle East. It became a prized spice in Middle Eastern cuisines and was used in various medicinal concoctions：

隨著貿易路線的擴展，姜作為藥草的名聲傳到了中東地區。姜成為中東菜肴的一種珍貴調味品，并被用于調制各類藥劑：

· Ancient Greece： Greek physicians like Dioscorides1 and Galen2 valued ginger for its medicinal prop992ec2620518d238d84b87e624b8e32adefd9c302aeb7da82ca93cb023f22dbberties， recommending it as a remedy for digestive troubles.

· 古希臘：希臘名醫如迪奧斯科里季斯和蓋倫，重視姜的藥用價值，將其作為治療消化類疾病的藥物。

· Persian traditions： In Persia （modern-day Iran）， ginger was a key ingredient in traditional remedies for colds and flu.

· 波斯傳統：在波斯（今伊朗），姜是治療感冒和流感的傳統藥劑中的關鍵成分。

Ginger in the spice trade

香料貿易中的姜

During the Middle Ages， ginger was a valuable commodity in the spice trade. It found its way into Europe and became a staple in European herbal medicine：

在中世紀，姜是香料貿易中的昂貴商品。傳入歐洲之后，姜在歐洲草藥醫學中占據了舉足輕重的地位：

· Gingerbread： The tradition of gingerbread-making in Europe dates back to the 13th century， with the spiced bread being praised for its digestive benefits.

· 姜餅：歐洲制作姜餅的歷史可以追溯至13世紀，人們稱道它對消化的助益。

· Digestive elixir： Ginger was commonly used in herbal elixirs to soothe digestive discomfort.

· 消化靈藥：姜常被用在草藥配制的萬靈藥劑中，以緩解消化不適。

· Cultural symbol： In medieval Europe， ginger was not only a remedy but also a symbol of social status and hospitality.

· 文化符號：在中世紀的歐洲，姜不僅是一味藥材，還是擁有社會地位和熱情好客的象征。

Ginger in traditional Asian medicine

亞洲傳統醫學中的姜

In Asia， ginger continued to play a prominent role in traditional medicine：

在亞洲，姜始終在傳統醫學中扮演重要角色：

· Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM）： Ginger is a fundamental herb in TCM， where it’s believed to balance the body’s energy and dispel cold and dampness.

· 中醫：姜是中醫中的基本藥材，被認為可以平衡陰陽、驅除寒氣和濕氣。

· Ayurveda： In India， ginger was incorporated into Ayurvedic remedies for a wide range of health issues， from colds to arthritis.

· 阿育吠陀：在印度，姜被納入了阿育吠陀治療體系，用來治療從感冒到關節炎等各類健康問題。

Ginger’s emergence in modern medicine

姜在現代醫學中的興起

Ginger’s journey as a medicinal remedy didn’t stop in ancient times. It continued to gain recognition and respect in modern medicine：

姜的治病療疾之旅并未止步于古代。它在現代醫學中仍然獲得認可與重視：

· Nausea relief： In the mid-20th century， ginger’s effectiveness in alleviating nausea， particularly in pregnant women and chemotherapy patients， was widely acknowledged.

· 緩解惡心：在20 世紀中期，姜在緩解惡心，尤其是緩解孕婦和化療患者惡心方面的療效是眾所周知的。

· Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties： Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been the subject of numerous scientific studies， with potential applications in various medical fields.

· 消炎和抗氧化功效：姜的消炎和抗氧化效用是很多醫學研究的對象，在很多醫學領域都有潛在的應用價值。

· Pain management： Some research suggests that ginger may be a natural pain reliever， potentially benefiting those with arthritis and muscular discomfort.

· 止痛：有研究表明，姜也許是一種天然的止疼藥，或能緩解關節炎以及肌肉不適。

· Culinary and medicinal blend： Today， ginger seamlessly blends into both culinary and medicinal applications. It’s used in herbal teas， supplements， and as a spice in various cuisines.

· 食療：在今天，姜已經毫無違和感地融入了烹飪與藥用之中。它被用于藥草茶和營養補充劑，也可作為各類菜肴的調味料。

The global influence of ginger

姜的全球性影響

Ginger’s medicinal history transcends borders， and its influence can be seen in various cultures and health practices worldwide：

姜的藥用歷史跨越了國家邊界，對世界范圍內的多種文化及保健醫療產生了影響：

· Traditional remedies： Ginger is a component of traditional remedies in diverse cultures， from ginger tea in the Caribbean to ginger-infused soups in South Asia.

· 傳統療法：從加勒比地區的姜茶到南亞的姜湯，姜是各種文化中傳統醫療的重要組成部分。

· Holistic healing： Ginger fits into the growing movement of holistic health and wellness， where natural remedies are celebrated for their multiple benefits.

· 整體治療：姜正合乎越來越受關注的整體治療和保健運動潮流。其中，天然藥材因其多重益處而備受推崇。

· Culinary delight： In addition to its health attributes， ginger continues to be cherished for its culinary appeal in dishes like stir-fries， curries， and desserts.

· 為烹調增色：除藥用價值外，姜也因在炒菜、咖喱和甜點中的烹飪價值而受到青睞。

Ginger’s medicinal history is a testament to its enduring legacy as a health remedy. From ancient civilizations to modern times， ginger’s therapeutic properties have transcended borders and continue to be celebrated worldwide. It’s remarkable journey from a spice in ancient remedies to a modern marvel in both medicine and cuisine exemplifies the profound impact of traditional herbal wisdom on our contemporary understanding of health and wellness.

姜的藥用歷史見證了它在保健領域的悠久傳統。從古至今，姜的醫學應用跨越了國界，一直在世界各地廣為稱頌。從古代各種療法中的香藥到現代橫跨醫學和烹飪領域的奇物，這段非凡的旅程證明，傳統草藥智慧對我們當代人領悟身心健康有著深遠影響。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者）

1希臘植物學家、藥理學家和醫生，著有知名藥典《草藥》一書，影響深遠。 2希臘解剖學家、內科醫生和作家，開創了解剖學和實驗生理學先聲。