The good news for people who appreciate the spicy, sweet flavor of ginger is that scientific evidence is confirming what Asian medical practitioners have known for thousands of years: ginger treats symptoms related to digestion. It provides these benefits in addition to its value as a culinary ingredient. Ginger just tastes good for you.
Traditional Uses
For more than 2,000 years, people in Asia have used ginger to stimulate appetite and treat minor gastrointestinal disorders. Gentle enough to treat children, its uses as a colic and pregnancy-related nausea remedy are significant applications for its medicinal properties.
Modern Uses
In a review of the applications of ginger's active constituents, gingerols, researchers at the Botanical Medicine Academy cite studies that support ginger's ability to stimulate gastric secretions, as well as its antioxidant properties, which may protect the gastrointestinal tract from harmful organisms. The review was published in 2009 in the journal "Alternative and Complementary Therapies."
Dosage
The recommended dosage for adults is 2 to 4 g each day for prevention or treatment of digestive disorders, including stomach upset and nausea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The total amount includes food sources. The dose is based on the amount a 150 lb. person would ingest. This means that a 50-lb. child would consume one-third of the recommended dosage, or 2/3 g to 1 1/3 g.
Culinary Information
Ginger traditionally complements Asian meals, such as Chinese stir-fry, Thai curry and satay, Japanese sushi and Indian dal. Sometimes used as an ingredient in lemonade and ice cream, ginger also improves the phytochemical value of muffins, pastries and desserts. If you include ginger in spicy dishes, you will also be helping treat digestion preventively.
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