Zingiber officinale, known as ginger, adds bite to stir-fry, cookies and tea, and is also used for medicinal purposes. Ginger as an herbal remedy is perhaps best known for its effectiveness in relieving nausea, but it also shows potential for preventing cardiovascular problems. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or the UMMC, recommends taking ginger for an herbal remedy only with the supervision of a health-care practitioner qualified in botanical medicine.
Benefits
Health-care professionals often recommend ginger for preventing and treating nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, pregnancy and chemotherapy, according to the UMMC. Although conventional medicine is available for this purpose, it also might lead to disagreeable side effects such as drowsiness. People also take ginger to relieve stomach upset and to reduce inflammation in disorders such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Potential
Ginger does not cleanse arteries, but it might have protective effects. Research is still lacking to confirm whether ginger has benefits for people with heart disease, according to the UMMC, but preliminary research indicates ginger might reduce cholesterol levels. This protects against atherosclerosis, a disorder in which fatty material accumulates in the arteries and hardens, which narrows the arteries and can lead to blockages that result in a heart attack or stroke. A study published in the "South Asian Journal of Preventive Cardiology" in 2004 with lead author S.K. Verma notes that ginger contains components with strong antiplatelet and antithrombotic properties, which helps prevent blood clots. It also is a potent antioxidant and scavenges free radicals, harmful substances that might contribute to atherosclerosis.
Research
In the 2004 "South Asian Journal of Preventive Cardiology" study, participants took either 5 g per day of dry ginger or a placebo. After four weeks, the researchers evaluated the antioxidant effects on the oxidation of blood lipids, or fats. Consuming ginger was shown to have strong antioxidant properties for both healthy participants and those with coronary artery disease.
Usage
Ginger is available in fresh and dried root, oil, tea, dried and liquid extracts and tinctures. The UMMC recommends taking ginger with food and consuming 4 g or less per day as a general guideline, including food sources, but Verma and colleagues say using less than 5 g yields inconsistent results in studies. A typical dosage as suggested by the UMMC is 75 to 2,000 mg in divided doses. Extracts should be standardized for 4 percent volatile oils or 5 percent total pungent compounds.
Caution
Because ginger has antiplatelet effects, the UMMC advises not taking this supplement if you have a bleeding disorder, and using it only with the supervision of a health-care provider if you take other herbs or drugs with blood-thinning effects, including aspirin. Taking ginger in addition to these substances might increase the risk of bruising and excessive bleeding.
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