As many as 20 million Americans are diagnosed with asthma and asthma complications are responsible for as many as 500,000 hospital stays each year. While there are traditional medications to treat asthma, many Americans are beginning to turn to complementary health practices for treatments. According to a 2007 report in the "National Health Statistics Report," as many as 4 out of 10 Americans are now turning to alternative medicine. Some asthmatics report improvements with ginger and ginger tea.
Ginger
Ginger is an herb used as both a spice and as a medicine. The ginger rhizome, or root, can be used fresh, powdered or in juice and oil form. As a medicine, it has been used throughout history to treat stomach ailments, colic, upper respiratory infections and bronchitis. According to the Institutes of Health, there is also preliminary evidence ginger is able to help with pain associated with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Ginger tea can be made by using fresh ginger root steeped in hot water.
Asthma
Asthma is a disease of the lungs that causes airways to become restricted and impairs breathing. Asthma is divided into two categories. Allergic, or extrinsic, asthma is triggered by allergens such as seasonal allergies and pet dander. Non-allergic, or intrinsic, asthma can be triggered by things such as anxiety, stress, exercise and cold and dry air. Traditional treatments for asthma include the use of long-term controllers that work to keep your asthma regulated. Quick relievers are used to treat symptoms of an asthma attack when they occur.
Medical Research
Many different studies have looked at the connection between ginger and various different types of asthma. A 2011 study published in the "Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry" showed that supplementation with ginger was able to prevent asthma attacks that are associated with phthalate ester. A 2008 study published in the "Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology" looked at ginger and its effects on inflammation in the bronchial passageways. Researchers discovered that ginger inhibits airway contractions and confirmed that ginger is an effective treatment for respiratory conditions.
Considerations
Ginger and ginger tea are tolerated by most people, however there are some things to consider before adding ginger tea to your regular diet and you should first consult with your physician. According to the National Institutes of Health, avoid ginger and ginger tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Diabetics should use caution as ginger can cause a decrease in blood sugar and your physician may need to adjust your medication levels. If you take blood thinning medications like Coumadin, consult with your physician as ginger acts as a natural blood thinner and can increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.
References
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Asthma Overview; 2005
- "National Health Statistics Report"; Complementary and alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007; PM Barnes et al.; December 10, 2008
- MedlinePlus; Ginger; April 22, 2011
- "Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry"; Ginger Suppresses Phthalate Ester-Induced Airway Remodeling; PL Kuo et al.; April 13, 2011
- "Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology"; Ginger Attenuates Acetylcholine-Induced Contraction and Ca2+ signaling in Murine Airway Smooth Muscle Cells; MN Ghayur et al.; May 2008
- MedlinePlus: Asthma
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