A popular herb with both flavoring and medicinal uses, ginger can serve as an effective aid for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. When used in moderation, ginger appears to be safe for the mother and developing baby. However, as with any medication, ginger should be used under the supervision of a doctor during pregnancy.
Identification
Ginger is an herb native to Asia that has been used for centuries as a spice and treatment for various ailments. The underground stem can be consumed fresh, as a dried powder or as an oil. Many different varieties of ginger exist, each with its own distinct aroma and flavor. The popularity of ginger continues in 2011, with ginger currently holding the record as the most widely cultivated spice worldwide.
Uses
In addition to serving as a spice and flavoring agent in cooking, ginger is used for various medicinal purposes. Most commonly used to treat digestive system and equilibrium problems such as motion sickness, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea and nausea, ginger may also aid upper respiratory tract infections, cough and bronchitis. Fresh ginger has also been used for such wide-ranging maladies as bacterial dysentery, poisonous snake bites, malaria, baldness, migraine headache and tooth pain. During pregnancy, eating or even sniffing ginger can help relieve morning sickness.
Safety
Using ginger during pregnancy is generally considered safe. Although there has been some concern that ginger could affect fetal sex hormones by altering the utilization of testosterone, MedlinePlus reports that ginger can be used safely for morning sickness without harm to the fetus. The rate of major malformations among offspring whose mothers used ginger during pregnancy is not increased above the background rate of 1 to 3 percent. The American Pregnancy Association classifies ginger as "likely safe" or "possibly safe" for use during pregnancy.
Dosage
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that ginger intake not exceed 4g per day. During pregnancy, usage of 1g of ginger daily appears to be safe and effective for relieving nausea and vomiting.
Adverse Effects
If used in large doses, ginger may rarely cause side effects such as mild heartburn, diarrhea and mouth irritation. There is some concern that ginger could interfere with blood clotting, but no hard evidence has proven this interaction. To be on the safe side, people who take blood thinning medications should use ginger under a doctor's supervision.
