Heartburn, also called pyrosis or non-cardiac chest pain, is a common condition that affects more than 60 million Americans at least once a month, according to Cure Research. Ginger is an age-old remedy dating back to the ancient Chinese that has been used to treat and prevent digestive conditions such as heartburn. Today, scientific studies are providing evidence that supports this herb's use to treat heartburn.
Heartburn
Heartburn is a warm, painful burning sensation in the upper abdomen, just behind the lower breastbone. This pain may radiate upward in waves to the neck and throat and may leave a sour taste in the mouth. It results when digestive juices in the stomach splash backward, or reflux into the esophagus, a muscular tube joining the mouth to the stomach. The refluxed juices are highly acidic and cause irritation and inflammation in the unprotected inner lining of the esophagus.
Ginger
Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, is a medicinal and culinary herb that is native to Asia, where has long been a part of the Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinal traditions. The aromatic underground stem, or rhizome, of this tropical plant is the part that is used for medicinal purposes.
Active Compounds
Ginger contains significant amounts of gingerols and phenols, which are active chemical compounds that are beneficial for treating and preventing heartburn. These compounds also give ginger its characteristic pungent aroma.
Dosage and Administration
The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine suggests brewing ginger herbal tea by steeping 2 tsp. of fresh grated ginger root in one cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain the ginger tea and warm it every 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Alternatively, take a 250 mg capsule of dried ginger 4 to 6 times a day. Dr. Brian Fennerty, a professor of medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University, suggests chewing a piece of candied ginger to treat and prevent heartburn. Chew a piece of the candy or add a piece to your cup of tea. Ginger is also available in capsule form.
Side Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health, there are few side effects associated with taking ginger in small doses. James A. Duke, Ph.D., author of the book "Handbook of Medicinal Herbs," recommends limiting your daily intake of ginger to 6 grams a day. Taken in larger doses, ginger may act as an irritant in your gastric system.
References
- Cure Research: Prevalence of Heartburn
- Pax Herbal Clinic: The Healing Properties of Ginger
- Revolution Health: Heartburn
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2004
