Ginger has long been used medicinally, particularly in China, where its use dates back more than two millennia. The purported benefits of ginger are believed to derive primarily from two types of compounds, gingerol and shogaol, explains the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC. As with other herbal remedies, clinical evidence for the effectiveness of ginger is insufficient to identify definite benefits, and is sometime contradictory. However, certain benefits stand out as fairly well-supported, in contrast to a long list of traditional, unsubstantiated uses.
Gastrointestinal Relief
Ginger is commonly used to treat mild gastrointestinal problems, according to MSKCC. These include upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, lack of appetite and intestinal gas. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine points out that many supplements for digestive problems and nausea, as well as for cold and flu treatment, include ginger extract as an active ingredient.
Motion Sickness Remedy
Motion sickness presents symptoms including dizziness, nausea, vomiting and perspiration. Ginger can remedy all of these symptoms, according to World's Healthiest Foods, or WHF. In fact, WHF cites that ginger may be a more effective motion sickness remedy than Dramamine, an over-the-counter and prescription drug widely-used for this purpose.
Morning Sickness Remedy
Ginger can help treat the nausea and vomiting accompanying pregnancy, or morning sickness, states the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. One gram daily for up to four days is considered safe and effective for pregnant women to both ease nausea and reduce the occurrence of vomiting episodes, says the UMMC.
Other Nausea-Related Benefits
The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, identifies two other types of nausea that may be remedied with ginger. When taken prior to surgery, ginger may prevent or reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting. Also, ginger may reduce the severity and duration of nausea that is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatments.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties potentially useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to WHF. Ginger can lessen inflammation-induced pain, and reduce reliance on pain medications, points out the UMMC. Patients with other conditions related to inflammation may benefit from ginger as well.
Heart Disease Protection
Ginger may function as an anti-platelet agent, according to the NIH. The UMMC adds that, along with helping to prevent blood clots, another possible benefit of ginger is lowering bad cholesterol levels. These two effects can help protect against heart disease.
Other Purported Benefits
Protection against colorectal cancer and treatment of ovarian cancer are two possible benefits of ginger cited by WHF, which adds that it offers a boost to the immune system. Ginger may also be useful in remedying the effects of drug withdrawal and in treating colic and muscle spasms, according to MSKCC. The NIH lists a few other possible benefits that need to be better substantiated by research, including promoting urination in stroke patients, treating migraines, aiding weight loss and shortening labor.
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