Coughing is your body's response to an irritation in your upper respiratory tract. Often associated with a cold or the flu, a cough can be disruptive and painful. Ginger, a spice used to flavor Asian foods and desserts, such as gingerbread, is also a folk remedy for treating the symptoms of a viral infection, including coughing. The Food and Drug Administration does not oversee the manufacture of herbal remedies, so there is no guarantee of effectiveness. See your doctor if cough symptoms persist or if you have other symptoms.
Ginger Root
Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, grows freely in temperate and tropical climates, such as Jamaica, Haiti and Hawaii, and commercial growers propagate the plant in other areas. The root of the ginger plant contains starch, lipids, protein and volatile oils, specifically gingerol, which may be responsible for the root's beneficial effects on viral infections, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." Historically, ginger has been an important herb in Chinese medicine for treating colds and coughs.
Syrups, Herbal Tea and Lozenges
Ginger may reduce coughing when taken as an herbal tea or as an ingredient in herbal cough syrups or lozenges. The "Gale Encyclopedia" reports that the pungent taste of ginger may release secretions in the throat and mouth that ease congestion and reduce inflammation. Studies verifying these effects are lacking. Ginger may also reduce additional cold and flu symptoms, including nausea and sinus congestion.
Capsules
Ginger also comes in powdered capsule form, but swallowing ginger capsules may be less effective in reducing a cough since the herb does not make contact with taste buds or irritated throat passages. However, as a potential antiviral, taking ginger capsules may still reduce the severity and duration of a cold, which may reduce coughing as well. Again, there are no studies verifying this benefit.
Considerations
Ginger, when used as a food additive, is generally recognized as safe, but taking ginger in high doses may produce adverse effects, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia." These include heartburn, ulcer and liver damage. Do not take ginger in therapeutic doses if you're pregnant, because there is a slight risk of miscarriage and damage to the developing fetus. Ginger may interfere with other medications you're taking. Do not exceed dosage instructions on the package.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Cough Definition
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Ginger
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
