Ginger is a spice used in cooking and herbal medicine. Ginger tea as well as ginger in powder and capsule forms can be used to soothe the stomach, fight nausea, combat diarrhea, reduce inflammation related to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and ease pain in joints and muscles. Known side effects are allergic reactions and digestive-tract symptoms. Scientific research confirms a link between ginger and the immune response, reducing inflammation and the protective property of an antioxidant.
Ginger Root
Ginger root is the underground portion of the stem of the tropical plant with the Latin name Zingiber officinale. Ginger root is used as a spice in cooking and as a treatment in Asian medicine for nausea and digestive problems. Additional uses of ginger in traditional medicine that have not been scientifically studied include treating blood circulation problems, high blood pressure, respiratory ailments and diabetes. Human studies show ginger helps treat nausea associated with morning sickness, and patients with digestive ailments like inflammatory bowel disease use ginger along with medical treatment.
Making Ginger Tea
Ginger leaves, flowers, bark, seeds and stems can all be used to make tea. Ginger root can be found in most grocery stores. Make ginger tea by pouring boiling water over ginger root and let the mixture sit for five to 10 minutes to allow time for the ginger compounds to release into the water. A standard mixture is 1 tsp. of dried herb or 3 tsp. fresh herb per cup of boiling water and adjust for personal preference for flavor and strength. Enjoy the tea as a drink either hot or cold. Ginger tea can be homemade using fresh or dried ginger root, or commercial teas are available in teabags for easy use.
Ginger for Treating Nausea
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), using ginger for a short time to treat nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness may be safe, though additional studies must determine appropriate dosing and safety. Read labels on ginger tea for limits on amounts, caution should be used to not drink more than a gram by weight of ginger per day. Controversy on safety during pregnancy exists because in Asian medicine, ginger increases menstrual flow and could cause spontaneous abortion, though the doses used in Asian medicine are often large. Information collected by the NIH shows a lack of evidence to indicate a higher risk. Though ginger is used most often for many forms of nausea, scientific research remains mixed on supporting or refuting its use.
Side Effects of Ginger
Allergic reactions and rash can result from skin contact with ginger. In the digestive tract, ginger can produce gas, bloating, heartburn and nausea. Ginger that isn't in very small pieces may get stuck in the digestive tract and block the intestine. Though this shouldn't be a problem with tea, ginger should be chewed well before swallowing. Additional side effects from ginger may include reduced blood clotting and interference with blood pressure, though clinical research is still needed to confirm these possible side effects.
Chemical Compounds in Ginger
The compounds in ginger include gingeroles, which are added to antacids, laxatives and digestive aids; capsaicin, which stimulates nerve endings and is also found in chile peppers; beta carotene, which produces the orange pigment in carrots; caffeine; curcumin; and salicylate, a compound similar to aspirin.
Function of Ginger in the Body
Limited clinical studies exist that indicate how ginger works in the body. In the laboratory, ginger suppresses immune-system function on the growth of lymphocytes and and interleukin-2 and interleukin-10, all part of the immune response related to rheumatoid arthritis and organ rejection after transplant. In a clinical study comparing ginger to ibuprofen for pain related to arthritis, Bliddal and associates determined ginger worked better than placebo but did not work as well as ibuprofen. These patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis were on each treatment for three weeks at a time and produced the consistent result. A study using the living cell model at Hong Kong Polytechnic University determined the antioxidant ability of ginger, though with less effect than alpha-tocopherol, a known antioxidant.
References
- Medline Plus: Ginger
- "Drugs & Aging"; Disease-Modifying Therapies for Osteoarthritis: Current Status; Fajardo, Marc di Cesare and Paul E.; 2005
- "Redox Report"; Assessment of Membrane Protection by Traditional Chinese Medicines Using a Flow Cytometric Technique: Preliminary Findings; Chung, Wai Y.,Yow, Christine M.N., Benzie, Iris F.F.; 2003
- "American Surgeon"; In Vitro Immunomodulatory Effects; Wilasrumee, C. et al.; 2002
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