Ginger root has been used medicinally for thousands of years for ailments ranging from nausea to arthritis. Drinking a beverage made from the thick root of Zingiber officianale can offer several benefits, and has a pleasant taste as well. GInger can be purchased as a whole root, packaged tea or in capsules and tinctures. It is widely available at most grocery and health food stores, as well as online. Ginger is considered safe in small doses but higher doses have been known to cause bloating or gas. If any reaction occurs when taking ginger, discontinue use and contact your physician.
Nausea and Vomiting
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger is commonly suggested by doctors to alleviate nausea and vomiting, with recent research demonstrating ginger's particular efficacy in relieving nausea symptoms associated with motion sickness. Ginger can help with nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy and chemotherapy treatment as well. You can prepare a hot tea by simply steeping a piece of chopped root in boiling water for five to 10 minutes. Herbalist Micheal Tierra suggests drinking hot ginger tea to help relieve nausea and vomiting that are caused by colds and the flu, especially if sweetened with honey and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Inflammation
Ginger root has been found to be effective in disorders that involve chronic inflammation such as arthritis. A study published in 2005 by R. Grzanna, L. Lindmark and C.G. Frondoza demonstrated the effectiveness of ginger in treating inflammatory disorders, noting that it contains properties similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Ginger has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, to treat inflammation and ease discomforts for centuries.
Other Benefits
MayoClinic.Com mentions research that shows the use of ginger root can help prevent platelet aggregation, or plaque buildup, when used in combination with other medications and lower cholesterol levels. They also note that ginger has shown an ability to benefit patients who have a low white blood cell count due to chemotherapy, though more research is needed to confirm. Emerging research shows promise that ginger may even help prevent blood clots which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
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