Although with pregnancy comes with joy and excitement, unpleasant symptoms may also be present, such as morning sickness, backaches, headaches and fatigue. There are limited available solutions to help pregnant women relieve unpleasant pregnancy side effects due to concern for the developing fetus. Ginger has been used to help relieve morning sickness, a common symptom of pregnancy.
Ginger Root Tablets
Ginger is an herb commonly used in food preparation and for health purposes. Ginger root tablets are derived from ginger plants. In addition to its use for relieving morning sickness associated with pregnancy, ginger has also been used to help with symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, stomach aches, arthritis and muscle and joint pain.
Effectiveness
Some studies show that ginger can be effective in helping to relieve morning sickness. According to Medline Plus, studies show that ginger may be effective at relieving pregnancy symptoms of nausea and vomiting when taken for short periods of time in doses recommended by a health-care provider. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine also notes that studies suggest effectiveness of ginger for morning sickness when used short-term.
Safety
Ginger is generally considered safe during pregnancy if taken short-term in small amounts. According to the American Pregnancy Association, herbs such as ginger, garlic, turmeric and sage may be unsafe during pregnancy if consumed in large amounts but when consumed in amounts found in food is considered safe. Medline Plus notes that some publications discourage pregnant women from taking ginger in large doses or for long periods of time, due to concerns with possible negative effects on the fetus.
Concerns
More research is needed to determine if taking ginger in large amounts or for long periods of time during pregnancy is safe. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, some reports show that pregnant women who take ginger may be at risk for increased discharge and bleeding, fetal mutations or abortion. Due to limited research regarding effects of using ginger during pregnancy, it should be consumed with caution, only taken in small amounts and after speaking with a health-care provider.
Dosing
The Food and Drug Administration does not have strict regulations for supplements and herbs. Therefore, there are no official dosing guidelines for ginger. However, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that doses of 1 to 4g per day for adults may be safe. However, for pregnant women consuming amounts greater than what is found in food or more than approximately 1g per day, is typically not recommended. A health-care provider should be consulted regarding dosing and before taking any type of ginger supplement during pregnancy.
Member Comments