Health Benefits Of Ginger Root Supplements

Ginger is a spice from the tuberous rhizome of Zingiber officinale, a creeping perennial native to Asia, Africa and the Caribbean Islands. It is referred to as ginger root to distinguish the plant from other species in the Zingiberaceae family, such as cardamom and turmeric. The fresh root is grated and added to Indian curries and other foods, and the fresh or dried rhizome is used in herbal medicine. Traditionally, ginger root is used to counter nausea arising from motion sickness, pregnancy, chemotherapy and surgery. Scientific evidence supports this application and other health benefits of ginger root. This herb may interact with other medicines, however, so check with your doctor before taking it.

Pharmacology

The composition of ginger root varies considerably depending on the country from which it is harvested, but can be expected to contain up to 3 percent zingiberene, geranial, linalool and other volatile oils. Other chief compounds present include shogaols, gingerols and gingerdiols, including gingerenone A and B. According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," these agents collectively lend ginger root antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, lipid-lowering and cardiotonic properties. Research indicates that ginger root also enhances immune function, promotes the secretion of bile and gastric fluids and increases blood circulation by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Nausea and Vomiting

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates ginger root as possibly effective for relieving morning sickness during pregnancy and postoperative nausea and vomiting. The database editors give less validation to the claim that the herb deters nausea and vomiting related to motion sickness or chemotherapy because of insufficient evidence. However, the results of a double-blind, multicenter trial published in the August 2011 issue of "Support Care in Cancer" show that ginger significantly reduced nausea symptoms in 576 people undergoing chemotherapy.

Inflammation

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger root may reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and ulcerative colitis. The "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines" attributes the anti-inflammatory benefit of ginger root to its blocking the activity of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, enzymes responsible for the synthesis of chemicals that produce local swelling. A study published in "Clinical Rheumatology" in July 2011 found that a multiherb Ayurvedic formula that included ginger root improved rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as well as did conventional medicines, but with fewer side effects.

Safety Precautions

The anticoagulant properties of this herb may increase the effects of blood-thinning medications, including aspirin. You should not use this herb without medical supervision if you have a history of a bleeding disorder or gallstones. If you do use ginger root medicinally, be sure your physician is aware of it before having surgery or undergoing anesthesia. To be safe, check with your doctor before using ginger root during pregnancy.