Ginger is used not only for flavor in cooking, but as an alternative treatment for people experiencing nausea. Some studies into ginger's effects have found it effective for this purpose, but the reasons why have not been scientifically proven. As with any alternative medicine, check with your doctor before using ginger to prevent nausea.
Availability
Native to Asia, ginger is derived from the rhizome, or underground stem, of a ginger plant. Ginger is available fresh, dried, powdered, as a juice and as an oil. Fresh ginger is commonly found year-round in grocery store produce sections as a knotted and twisted root, and in dried form in the spice section. Ginger dietary supplements are also available.
Mechanism
It's thought that two natural compounds in ginger root -- shogaols and gingerols -- are key to its potential anti-nausea effects. Shogaols and gingerols may increase digestive secretions, such as saliva, bile and other digestive juices, which helps calm nausea. Ginger may also suppress stomach contractions, improve the movement of food through the digestive system and improve intestinal muscle tone.
Research
A 2000 study review in the "British Journal of Anaesthesia" found that ginger may improve nausea caused by pregnancy, motion sickness and surgical anesthesia. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes several studies that suggest ginger worked better than placebo at relieving nausea from motion sickness and pregnancy, but it also notes mixed results from studies on nausea related to chemotherapy and anesthesia. The Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center also notes that ginger's effect on chemotherapy-related nausea may be tenuous and says more research into this effect is necessary.
Recommendations
Medline Plus recommends taking 250 mg of ginger four times per day for pregnancy-related nausea. For nausea after surgery, taking 1 to 2 g of powdered ginger root one hour prior to anesthesia may help, but you should consult your doctor about this. Consuming fresh ginger in large amounts may have blood-thinning effects, so take caution with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin.
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