Ginger root has been employed in Asian, Indian and Arabic cultures as both a valued herbal medicine and a versatile cooking spice. There is some evidence that consuming ginger can help alleviate nausea and indigestion. While the FDA classifies ginger as generally safe to eat, side effects and drug interactions can occur. Ask your doctor before using ginger.
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Ginger -- botanically known as Zingiber officinale -- is a perennial plant native to tropical Asia. Ginger root is revered in traditional Chinese medicine -- where it is known as sheng jiang -- as well as in Ayurveda, where it is called ardraka. It has traditionally been used as a remedy for nausea, vomiting, bloating and gas; other uses include treating rheumatism, diarrhea and coughs.
Constituents and Effects
Ginger contains more than 400 compounds, including the volatile oil zingiberene, which is responsible for many of the herb's therapeutic properties. Drugs.com -- which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers -- credits ginger with the ability to reduce nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, and says it may help relieve inflammation and pain of arthritis.
Dosages
There are many ways to ingest ginger. For colds, flu, headache and menstrual cramps, University of Maryland Medical Center recommends making a ginger infusion by steeping 2 tbsp. of freshly shredded ginger in 8 oz. of hot water. For nausea and gas, eat sliced fresh ginger in the amount of 2 to 4 g a day, consume .25 to 1.0 g of powdered root, take a liquid extract in the amount of 1.5 to 3 ml, or chew a 1/4-oz. piece of fresh root. Standardized doses -- containing 4 percent volatile oils -- are available and may be taken in the amount of 75 to 2,000 mg per day in divided doses. For arthritis pain, UMMC advises drinking 2 to 4 g of fresh ginger juice. You can also consume ginger in the form of ginger ale, ginger snaps or ginger bread.
Side Effects and Interactions
Side effects of ginger -- more likely when large doses are taken -- include heartburn, diarrhea and mouth irritation. It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to ginger. Ginger may interact with prescription medications -- including blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen or warfarin -- and could increase chances of bruising and bleeding. Medline Plus says that high doses of ginger may worsen some heart conditions and can also lower your blood sugar. If you are diabetic, your doctor may need to adjust your insulin dosage. Ginger can also reduce blood pressure and should not be taken with calcium channel blockers. Consult your doctor before taking ginger.
Use in Pregnancy
The use of ginger in pregnancy is controversial, with experts disagreeing as to its safety. Ginger has been a traditional remedy in many cultures for morning sickness, and Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health says that several clinical studies have supported ginger's safety and efficacy for this purpose. UMMC concurs that ginger may be safe and effective for reducing morning sickness but advises limiting its use to four days. However, Drugs.com -- citing a lack of fetal outcomes in the studies and reporting that one study showed loss of embryos -- comes down against the use of ginger by pregnant women. The website adds that ginger affects the binding of testosterone -- which could have effects on the developing fetus -- and says that women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use it.
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