The immune system is essentially your body's defense mechanism. When harmful substances such as viruses, bacteria, toxins or cancer cells are detected, your immune system springs into action to fight off these invading antigens with proteins called antibodies. But sometimes the immune system is unable to function as it should. Researchers have looked for natural herbs and products to treat these disorders, and the use of ginger shows promise. Before adding a ginger supplement, though, please consult with your physician.
Ginger
Ginger is an herb and is commonly used as a spice or flavoring in food. The rhizome, or root, also has been used in traditional medicine to treat various stomach disorders such as morning sickness, colic, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. According to the National Institutes of Health, the natural chemicals within ginger may work to reduce nausea and inflammation. The NIH also says that ginger is safe for most people to consume.
Immune System and Disorders
The immune system consists of your bone marrow, lymph nodes, thymus, tonsils and sections of the spleen and gastrointestinal tract, as well as certain proteins and cells within the blood. Immune system disorders happen when the immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy cells or underactive and may not produce antibodies necessary to fight infection. The immune system also uses specialized white blood cells called T or B lymphocytes, or T cells and B cells, and these sometimes do not function properly. Immune system disorders can include allergies and asthma, reactions in people who have received transplants, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus.
Medical Research
A 2002 study published in "The American Surgeon" looked at the effects of ginger on the immune response in transplant patients. They discovered that ginger, along with green tea, had the ability to suppress the immune system and that it may be a relevant treatment in transplant patients. A 2008 study published in "International Immunopharmacology" looked at the effects of ginger on pulmonary inflammation caused by Th2 cells. Th2 cells, or T helper cells, are responsible for activating and directing the immune response from the T cells. They discovered that ginger could suppress the Th2-mediated immune response and reduce inflammation. They determined this could provide possible therapeutic options in patients with allergic asthma.
Considerations
The use of ginger as an alternative therapy requires consideration regarding your other medical conditions and medications. Ginger works as a natural blood thinner, so if you take medications such as Coumadin to treat blood-clotting disorders, you can increase your risk of bleeding. Ginger also may affect blood sugar, so if you suffer from diabetes, it is important to discuss the use of ginger with your physician.
References
- MedlinePlus; Immunodeficiency Disorders; May 2, 2010
- MedlinePlus; Ginger; April 22, 2011
- MedlinePlus: Immune System Disorders
- "The American Surgeon"; In Virto Immunomodulatory Effects of Herbal Products; C. Wilasrusmee et al.; October 2002
- "International Immunopharmacology"; Ginger Prevents Th2-Mediated Immune Responses in a Mouse Model of Airway Inflammation; ML Ahui et al.; December 10, 2008
