Ginger is a perennial herb with swollen and stiff underground branching stems (rhizomes). Ginger is a member of a plant family that includes cardamom and turmeric. The presence of ketones, particularly gingerols, which appear to be the principal component of ginger examined in many health-related scientific researches, contributes to its pungent scent. When ginger leaves and rhizomes are cut or bruised, they emit a distinct aroma. After the leafy sections have dried, the rhizomes are pulled up. The plant’s underground stem, or rhizome, is ginger.
