India has foiled an attempt by a British pharmaceutical company to claim a patent on using ginger for the treatment of cold, said local daily The Times of India on Wednesday.

Nicholas John Larkins, London, filed a patent application in 2006 at the British patent office claiming "unique finding" in the use of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) for the treatment of cough and lung diseases.

"Within two weeks of India providing evidence, the attempt to pirate India's traditional medicinal knowledge was struck down by the UK patent office in 2011," a health ministry official was quoted as saying.

The use of ginger for the treatment of cold has been recorded in Indian medical practices for hundreds of years.

(Source: Xinhua)