Fresh ginger root has been used by the cultures of Asia, India, and the Middle East for over 2,000 years as a natural remedy for digestive health issues including nausea, motion sickness and stomach upset. The fresh root or rhizome is the underground stem of the plant and can be prepared by removing the bark-like skin. It can be sliced and chewed, grated and steeped in tea or chopped for use in cooked foods.
Nausea
Fresh ginger root contains powerful chemicals known as gingerols and volatile oils that increase saliva secretions and activate enzymes in the digestive system. These secretions soothe the gastro-intestinal tissue and calm the central nervous system to alleviate nausea, belching and occasional stomach upset. It is among the safest and most used natural home remedy for digestive issues.
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is an imbalance in the signals between the eyes and ears in response to motion such as riding in a car, riding on a train or sailing on a boat that can provoke symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Although fresh ginger can alleviate the cold sweating and slow the rate of vomiting associated with motion sickness, it has a less dramatic affect on the symptoms of nausea and vertigo.
Morning Sickness
As reported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist in 2004, ginger can provide beneficial effects as a non-pharmacological option for morning sickness. Morning sickness, which can affect between 75 to 80 percent of women in the first to the fourth month of pregnancy, can create symptoms of nausea, vomiting, poor appetite and dehydration. Fresh ginger can reduce these symptoms by increasing gastric secretions and calming the central nervous system. Consult your health care provider before beginning natural remedies if you are pregnant.
Cautions
Fresh ginger, with its pepper-like oils, may cause a dermatitis reaction around the mouth in sensitive individuals. Since the effects of ginger root can interfere with blood clotting and blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin and Heparin, consult your health care provider if you have a blood clotting disorder or take medications.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Comparative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol; S. Dugasani, et al.; February 2010
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Some phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): a review of recent research; B.H. Ali, et al.; February 2008
- American Botanical Council: Herbal Medicine; Ginger Root
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