Ginger – the Wonder Spice with Numerous Health Benefits

Here’s a 4 minute video where Dr. Josh Axe reveals Top Health Benefits of Ginger Root:

 

 

Overview

Ginger — the “root” or the rhizome, of the plant Zingiber officinale — has been a popular spice and herbal medicine for thousands of years. It has a long history of being used as medicine in Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal traditions. In China, for example, ginger has been used to help digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea for more than 2,000 years. Ginger has also been used to help treat arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart conditions.  It has been used to help treat the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and painful menstrual periods.

 

What’s it made of?
Researchers think the active components of the ginger root are volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols.

 

Medicinal uses and indications
Health care professionals may recommend ginger to help prevent or treat nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, pregnancy, and cancer chemotherapy. It is also used to treat mild stomach upset, to reduce pain of osteoarthritis, and may even be used in heart disease.

 

Motion sickness
Several studies  suggest that ginger may help patients in reducing some symptoms of motion sickness.
Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting
Human studies suggest that 1g daily of ginger may reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women when used for short periods (no longer than 4 days). Several studies have found that ginger is better than placebo in relieving morning sickness.
Important:   Pregnant women should ask their doctors before taking ginger and not take more than 1g per day.

 

Chemotherapy nausea

A few studies suggest that ginger reduces the severity and duration of nausea — but not vomiting — during chemotherapy.

 

Nausea and vomiting after surgery
Research is mixed as to whether ginger can help reduce nausea and vomiting following surgery. Two studies found that 1g of ginger root before surgery reduced nausea as well as a leading medication. In one of these studies, women who took ginger also needed fewer medications for nausea after surgery.  one study found that ginger may actually increase vomiting following surgery. More research is needed.

 

Osteoarthritis
Traditional medicine has used ginger for centuries to reduce inflammation. And there is some evidence that ginger may help reduce pain from osteoarthritis. It may take several weeks for ginger to work.

 

Other uses
A few preliminary studies suggest that ginger may lower cholesterol and help prevent blood from clotting. That can help treat heart disease, where blood vessels can become blocked and lead to heart attack or stroke. But more studies are needed to know whether ginger is safe or effective for heart disease.

 

Available forms
Ginger products are made from fresh or dried ginger root, or from steam distillation of the oil in the root. You can find ginger extracts, tinctures, capsules, and oils. You can also buy fresh ginger root and make a tea. Ginger is a common cooking spice and can be found in a variety of foods and drinks, including ginger bread, ginger snaps, ginger sticks, and ginger ale.

 

How to take it  –  Ask your doctor for the right dose

Pediatric
Do not give ginger to children under 2.
Children over 2 may take ginger to treat nausea, stomach cramping, and headaches. Ask your doctor to find the right dose.

Adult 
In general, do not take more than 4 g of ginger per day, including food sources. Pregnant women should not take more than 1 g per day.

*  For nausea, gas, or indigestion: Some studies have used 1 g of ginger daily, in divided doses. Ask your doctor to help you find the right dose for you.

*  For pregnancy-induced vomiting: Some studies have used 650 mg to 1 g per day. Do not take ginger without talking to your doctor first.

*  For arthritis pain: One study used 250 mg 4 times daily.

 

Precautions

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease and should be taken under the supervision of a health care provider.  Herbs can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications.

It is rare to have side effects from ginger. In high doses it may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth. You may be able to avoid some of the mild stomach side effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset, by taking ginger supplements in capsules or taking ginger with meals.

People with gallstones should talk to their doctors before taking ginger. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking ginger before having surgery or being placed under anesthesia.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart conditions, and people with diabetes should not take ginger without talking to their doctors.
Do not take ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.

 

Possible interactions

Ginger may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines. If you take any of the following medicines, you should not use ginger without talking to your health care provider first.

Blood-thinning medications — Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin.

Diabetes medications — Ginger may lower blood sugar. That can raise the risk of developing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

High blood pressure medications — Ginger may lower blood pressure, raising the risk of low blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.

 

This Article was published first by the University of Maryland Medical Center:  Can read the complete article here: Ginger|University of Maryland Medical Center

 

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