The root of Zingiber officinale, more commonly known as ginger, is a tasty spice and an alternative health remedy for several conditions, mainly gastrointestinal problems. People have used ginger for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Ginger is available as fresh or dried root, extract, tincture, capsules and oil.
Gastrointestinal Benefits
Ginger may help with digestion and prevent and treat upset stomach. It also helps prevent and treat nausea and vomiting associated with various health conditions. Research shows different effectiveness depending on the cause, as noted by the UMMC and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). For instance, some studies have shown that ginger decreases vomiting associated with motion sickness but that many of these people still feel nauseous. Ginger appears to be more effective at relieving nausea during pregnancy, although the NIH cautions that pregnant women should avoid large doses. Ginger may decrease the severity of nausea after cancer chemotherapy, according to the NIH, along with the length of time people feel nauseous, but research results are mixed. Another possible use for ginger is preventing nausea or vomiting after surgery. The NIH notes that although conventional medicine is effective at reducing nausea in all these situations, these medications tend to have unpleasant side effects, such as drowsiness, that ginger does not.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Many health care practitioners use ginger to treat conditions that cause inflammation, according to the UMMC. Ginger may be beneficial for disorders such as ulcerative colitis and arthritis. The UMMC cites research showing that people with osteoarthritis of the knee taking ginger root extract experienced less pain and needed fewer pain relief medications compared with those taking a placebo.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Preliminary research indicates that ginger has beneficial effects for the cardiovascular system, according to the UMMC, as it appears to lower cholesterol and prevent blood clots. Because high cholesterol levels are associated with accumulation of plaque in the arteries, the effects of ginger may prevent blockages in blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
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