Ginger root, Zingiber officinale, is used as a food product, a spice and an herbal medicine. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts made from the rhizome of the plant are safe in small doses for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, weight gain, fertility and skin disorders. However, always consult a physician before self-medicating with ginger root to treat any disease.
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is an unusual abdominal pain associated with the menstrual cycle. In some countries, ginger root is used for pain management for this condition. An Iranian study published in the February 2009 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" investigated the efficacy and safety of ginger root for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. The researchers recruited 150 women and supplemented them with either 250 mg of ginger root, 250 mg of mefenamic acid or 400 mg of ibuprofen. The participants reported similar reductions in pain with all treatments. The authors concluded that 250 mg of ginger root was both effective and safe for the management of dysmenorrhea pain.
Weight-Loss Supplements
Ginger root is included in many nonprescription weight-loss supplements sold over the Internet and in retail stores. A University of South Carolina study published in the December 2006 issue of the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" determined the effectiveness and safety of ginger root in some of these supplements. The researchers identified 402 products with over 4,000 separate ingredients, including ginger root. After a review of current medical literature, the authors concluded that only inadequate or negative evidence exists on the safety of ginger root for weight-loss management, including potential adverse reactions.
Fertility
An article included in the October 2010 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology" investigated the toxicity of alcoholic and water-based extracts of ginger root over 65 days using diabetic male rats. The study was designed to test the efficacy of ginger root on fertility and sperm count in diabetics. The researchers found that ginger root, using the alcoholic or aqueous extract, was safe in doses up to 5 g for each kg of body weight. The authors concluded that ginger root extract may be useful for the treatment of sexual impotency of diabetic patients.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is sometimes treated with ginger root in Hochu-ekki-to, a Kampo medicine, which is a traditional Japanese alternative therapy. An article published in the May 2004 issue of "Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research" estimated the safety and efficacy of ginger root extract on atopic dermatitis. The researchers recruited 95 patients with this disorder and treated each with Hochu-ekki-to. The study found no adverse reactions to this herbal medication, and recommended its use for the treatment of chronic atopic dermatitis.
References
- "Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research"; Diet and Japanese Herbal Medicine for Recalcitrant Atopic Dermatitis: Efficacy and Safety; H. Kobayashi, et al.; May 2004
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Safety and Efficacy of Zingiber officinale Roots on Fertility of Male Diabetic Rats; M. Shalaby and A.R. Hamowieh; October 2010
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Availability of Weight-Loss Supplements: Results of an Audit of Retail Outlets in a Southeastern City; P. Sharpe, et al.; December 2006
- "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Comparison of Effects of Ginger, Mefenamic Acid, and Ibuprofen on Pain in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea; G. Ozgoli, et al., February 2009
Member Comments