Both ginger and milk thistle are medicinal herbs, and ginger is also commonly used as a culinary. The roots of the ginger plant and the fruits, seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant are used to make medicinal treatments for various health problems, according to Medicinal Herb Info. Before you begin to take milk thistle or ginger to treat a health condition, discuss it with your health care provider.
Milk Thistle and Ginger Uses
Milk thistle is used as a treatment for bacterial infections, viral infections and to relieve flatulence and indigestion notes MedlinePlus. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) adds that milk thistle is useful in treating hepatitis, food poisoning, gallbladder disorders, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, cirrhosis, cancer and liver disease, especially that caused by alcohol. Ginger is often used to treat morning sickness, migraine, motion sickness, seasickness, nausea from chemotherapy, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and as an anti-platelet agent reports MedlinePlus.
Milk Thistle Research
There have been several recent studies that show milk thistle is effective for treating certain health conditions. One in particular was published in the September 2010 issue of "Cancer Metastasis Reviews" and concluded that milk thistle is effective in treating advanced metastatic cancers. This study that took place at University of Colorado Denver Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences showed that milk thistle was able to help stop cancer from metastasis. Another recent study looked at milk thistle in treating HIV and hepatitis patients who were not responding to treatments. The study that was conducted at Medical University of Vienna Department of Internal Medicine and published in the August 2010 edition of "Journal of Clinical Virology" concluded that milk thistle is quite promising for treating these patients and that further research is warranted. The NCCAM describes a number of research studies that have shown milk thistle's ability to help protect and heal the liver from damage.
Ginger Research
Ginger has also been the subject of several significant recent research studies. The first study was conducted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India and its results were published in the September issue of "Pediatric Blood & Cancer." After testing ginger root powder for its ability to relieve the nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, the researchers concluded that it had reduced the severity of the symptoms. Another recent study will appear in the September 2010 issue of "Fitoterapia." This study looked at the specific reasons that ginger is such a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and concluded that it is useful in treating inflammation. The NCCAM describes a number of other research studies on ginger and its ability to relieve the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Combined Research
At least one research study has looked at a number of herbal supplements that may help prevent and treat cancer. Among the herbs tested were milk thistle and ginger. The study took place at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and its results were published in the May 2006 issue of "Biochemical Pharmacology." Both were found to contain properties that inhibit cancer cell growth and the study concluded that milk thistle, ginger and many of the other herbs studied may be helpful in preventing and treating various forms of cancer.
Considerations
MedlinePlus warns that some people may experience allergic reactions to either milk thistle or ginger. Watch for swelling of the face or throat when using them and if it occurs, contact your health care provider. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use milk thistle, however, ginger has been found to be safe for pregnant women to use to lessen the nausea of morning sickness.
Potential Drug Interactions
Both milk thistle and ginger can harmfully interact with antacids and medications for acid reflux. Both herbs may cause excessive bleeding risk if taken with blood-thinning medications. Both herbs may also interact harmfully with over-the-counter pain relievers such as naproxen or ibuprofen. If you have questions about how ginger or milk thistle will interact with other prescriptions, supplements or over-the-counter medications you take, ask your pharmacist or health care provider for advice.
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