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The root of all goodness
If you suffer from motion sickness, you may already know that some candied ginger or ginger capsules might remedy the uneasiness. Perhaps you -- or your children -- have sipped ginger ale to calm upset stomachs. Or you've eaten sliced ginger to help digest sushi.
Ginger is a plant root cultivated throughout the tropics in countries such as Jamaica, Africa, China, and India. Ginger was also one of the first Asian spices carried to the Western world by camel caravans. In both Eastern and Western cultures, herbalists have long considered it beneficial in treating a range of ailments such as digestive problems, motion sickness or nausea, dizziness, excess gas, rheumatism, and cold symptoms.
Quick Facts About Ginger:
- There is no RDA, but a suggested average adult supplement intake is 1 - 3 times daily as directed on the package
- Ginger contains a number of active ingredients, including bisabolene, borneal, cineole, citral, sequiterpene, volatile oils, zingerone and zingiberene
- There are no known reports of toxicity in humans from ginger
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Special Information About Ginger Supplements:
- Hypothetically, ginger may be contraindicated in pregnancy, but there are no studies proving this. To the contrary, ginger has been shown in studies to be effective for morning sickness with no side effects reported.
Consult Your Doctor Before Taking Ginger Supplements if You:
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon
How Ginger Supplements Can Work Best for You:
- You can mix ginger powder, liquid, or extract with water to create ginger tea
- Combine ginger with pinellia root for a vomiting remedy
- Prepare with licorice or galanga to alleviate abdominal pain
Product Forms Available:
- Capsules or tablets
- Liquid extract
- Fresh ginger or dried ginger root
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The main components of ginger are carbohydrates, fatty acids, triglycerides, oleo-resins, and volatile oils. Carbohydrates make up approximately 50% of this herb. Fatty acids and triglycerides constitute 6-8% of ginger; these lipids include palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and other such fatty acids. Although they are responsible for its pungency, volatile oils comprise only 1% to 3% of ginger. The volatile oils are ginger's active ingredients.
Other ingredients of ginger include resins, amino acids, protein, vitamins (vitamin A and niacin), and minerals.
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You may think of ginger simply as a spice that enhances many culinary dishes, but ginger has medicinal uses as well.
If you are having digestive problems, you may want to eat ginger and its supplements to help with digestion. It appears that ginger can help relieve an upset stomach, indigestion, bloating, and stomach cramps. Ginger helps treat digestive disorders in several ways: it stimulates the flow of saliva and other gastric juices and it enhances the motility of your intestinal muscles and your esophagus.
As an antiemetic (prevents nausea and vomiting), ginger may help you if you suffer from motion or seasickness. So before your next boat ride, long road trip, or roller coaster ride, you might consider taking a ginger supplement.
This spice may also alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness during pregnancy, but there is some controversy regarding hypothetical adverse effects associated with taking ginger supplements.
If you are suffering from a cold or flu, you may want to use ginger to relieve some of the symptoms. Because ginger is a warm and pungent herb, it may stimulate or open up your body and nasal passages a bit to help you perspire and breathe better.
Because ginger has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory property, sufferers of arthritis may use this herb to relieve pain, stiffness, and swelling. This anti-inflammatory activity has yet to be fully verified by research, but there are some indications of this action on the body.
Advocates of Ginger Maintain It May Help:
- Calm upset stomachs
- Alleviate morning sickness
- Relieve motion sickness
- Aid in expelling excess gas from your intestinal tract
- Alleviate cold symptoms
- Overcome digestive disorders
- Ease arthritic pain
Storage
You do not need to keep fresh ginger in the refrigerator, but you should store the root in a cool, dry place. Also, keep ginger supplements in a cool, dry area.
Dosage and Administration
You can ingest ginger in several forms: capsules or tablets, liquid extract, fresh ginger or dried ginger root, candied, crystallized, grated, and ground.
You may also make ginger tea by mixing 2 teaspoons of grated or ground ginger with boiling water. Simmer for approximately 5-10 minutes. Strain and drink.
If you ingest ginger in capsules, a usual dosage is 3 capsules per day, or as directed by manufacturer.
To treat motion or seasickness, it is best if you ingest ginger half an hour before your trip.
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Warnings
Some suggest that pregnant women should not use ginger to alleviate morning sickness, but there is no evidence that ginger eaten as a food in normal amounts causes problems for pregnant women. To be on the safe side, if you wish to take ginger supplements to help morning sickness, you should talk to your doctor or obstetrician first.
Do not ingest excessive dosages of ginger, especially if you have a heart or nervous-system condition. Doing so may lead to depression of your central nervous system and/or cardiac arrhythmia.
Medications
Some say that excessive doses of ginger may interfere with existing cardiac, antidiabetic, or anticoagulant therapy.
Seek Advice Before Taking Ginger Supplements if You:
- Are diabetic
- Have a blood-thinning condition
- Are taking heart medications
- Are pregnant
Side Effects
There appear to be no significant side effects associated with using ginger and its supplements. You may experience slight heartburn. If this happens, stop using ginger and talk to your doctor.
However, ginger may have some adverse effects if you take too much of it. Excessive dosages of ginger may cause CNS (central nervous system) depression or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). If you experience either of these symptoms, stop taking ginger immediately and call your doctor. Do not take large amounts of ginger.
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