Effective ginger treatments for vomiting, nausea and other stomach complaints have a basis in scientific research. The active ingredients in this spicy, medicinal root are thought to be oils and phenol compounds like gingerols and shogaols, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). If you take ginger for vomiting and nausea, it may prove to be beneficial to settle an upset tummy when taken in the right form and amount.
Identification
The ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) is native to Asia, according to the UMMC, where the root has been used as a cooking spice for more than 4,000 years. But ginger root also has a long-standing history of being used not only in Asian but Indian and Arabic medicine for more than 2,000 years. In China, this odiferous root was used to treat vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. It's also been used for a variety of purposes, treating heart conditions, arthritis, headaches, pain associated with menstruation and even the common cold. It continues to be a common ingredient in cooking and can be used freshly chopped, dried and ground, or in crystallized form.
Study Results
In New York University's "Clinical Correlations," Dr. Chau Che points out that studies using ginger to treat vomiting and nausea have yielded mixed results. Che cites a study conducted in 162 cancer patients in which ginger did nothing to reduce post-chemotherapy nausea. Yet a different, similar study studying the effect of ginger powder yielded somewhat opposite results. Che notes that the most favorable study examined the effects of ginger to treat morning sickness in pregnant women. Of six double-blind, randomized controlled trials, four revealed ginger to be more effective in controlling morning sickness than a placebo.
Dosage
The UMMC states that doctors may recommend ginger to assuage vomiting and nausea associated with motion sickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy, as well as a digestive for mildly stomach upset. The typical dose of ginger is 1 g (1/2 tsp.) of powdered ginger taken every four hours to prevent vomiting; two ginger capsules (1 g) taken three times a day; or a 1/4-oz. segment of fresh ginger root, whenever needed (the root can be chewed). For morning sickness, ginger may be used four times a day in 250 mg increments. Ginger intake should not exceed 4 g a day.
Precautions
Don't give ginger to children under the age of 2 years. For children over the age of 2, ginger may be used to treat nausea, vomiting, digestive cramping and headaches, according to the UMMC. Dosage is based on the child's weight. The UMMC states that most dosages are appropriate for an adult of 150 pounds; a child who weighs 50 pounds would take 1/3 of an adult dose.
Considerations
Integrative physician Dr. Andrew Weil recommends ginger "in any form" for treating nausea, be it ginger powder mixed in water, capsules, ginger snaps (cookies), ginger cookies or real ginger ale. Most commercially sold ginger ales do not contain real ginger, according to Che, and thus are of little value in treating vomiting and nausea. Dr. Weil recommends mixing your own ginger drink by mixing together seltzer water and ginger syrup if you can't find canned or bottled ginger ale that contains real ginger.
Warning
In addition to children under 2, the UMMC notes that there are others who should tread carefully when using ginger treatments for vomiting and nausea. These include people with gallstones, those undergoing surgery or who will be placed under anesthesia, people with bleeding disorders, or those who take blood-thinning medications such as aspirin. Consult your physician before using ginger if you fall within one of these populations.
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