Ginger is an herb that's widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Its history dates back thousands of years, during which it was used as a spice in foods and as a remedy in traditional Asian, Indian and Arabic systems of medicine. Ginger grows in the tropics, and its rhizome, or underground stem, is cultivated for culinary and therapeutic purposes. Ginger, like all herbs, can have strong effects on the body, so before using it medicinally, consult your doctor.
Aids Digestion
In both Eastern and Western traditional medicine systems, practitioners use ginger to alleviate many digestive problems, such as indigestion, poor appetite, ulcers, nausea, colic, flatulence and diarrhea. According to Michael Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of "The Healing Power of Herbs," ginger's active components are its pungent principles -- aromatic ketones called gingerols. They contribute toward ginger's ability to diminish cramping and pain, alleviate gas and improve overall digestive system function.
Relieves Nausea
The University of Maryland Medical Center says that ginger may diminish or prevent nausea associated with motion sickness, pregnancy and chemotherapy. In addition to decreasing the incidence and severity of nausea episodes, ginger can reduce accompanying symptoms of vomiting and cold sweating. The medical center cautions that ginger may not be as effective as prescribed medications, such as scopolamine. However, ginger does not produce the side effects of nausea-reducing pharmaceuticals, such as dry mouth and drowsiness. Consult your doctor about using ginger to relieve nausea.
Diminishes Inflammation
Ginger appears to relieve excessive inflammation. Naturopathic physician Murray says that ginger inhibits the formation of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes -- substances that contribute to inflammatory processes in the body. Ginger also functions as an anti-oxidant -- a substance that reduces cell damage and assists in repair. Murray says ginger may helpful control inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches and heart disease.
Caution
Ginger has a positive safety record. However side effects may occur, such as gastrointestinal discomfort or ulcers, from high does. The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions that ginger can interact with blood-thinning medications. Consult your doctor before using herbal remedies, because they could interact with other medicines or worsen health conditions.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
- "The Healing Power of Herbs"; Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 1995
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