The herb ginger is actually the root or stem of the ginger plant that is a popular flavoring for foods and beverages. This tropical herb has been used in Asian medicine for thousands of years, to treat conditions of the digestive system. Ginger is available in capsule, fresh, dried, extract and candied forms and is considered safe for consumption with few adverse effects in small doses. Check with your physician before using any herbal supplement.
Decrease Nausea and Vomiting
One of the most common uses for herbal ginger is to treat nausea and vomiting caused by illness, food or medication. According to Medline Plus, administration of ginger prior to surgery has been shown in research to decrease nausea and vomiting caused by anesthesia. Dr. Timothy J. Moynihan of the Mayo Clinic however, explains that while research for this use of ginger is promising, the actual results are mixed. Despite this, the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine state that ginger is added to many natural supplements marketed for the relief of nausea and vomiting as well as digestive upset.
May Prevent Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is a condition in which the body erroneously responds to visual or physical cues from the environment. As a result, you feel symptoms such as nausea and possibly, vomiting. This condition, which occurs commonly when riding in a moving object such as a car, boat or roller coaster, may respond favorably to the administration of herbal ginger. Some studies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, have shown ginger to be more effective than a placebo but less effective than medications used to treat motion sickness.
Anti-inflammatory
Ginger may help decrease inflammation that occurs in conditions such as colitis and arthritis. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, explains that ginger is used in natural medicine as a treatment for pain caused by inflammation in the joints and muscles. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that many conventional medical approaches to relieving the inflammation of arthritis are combined with the administration of ginger.
Decrease or Prevent Morning Sickness in Pregnant Women
Morning sickness, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a condition experienced by as many as 90 percent of pregnant women. This condition is characterized by nausea and vomiting and generally occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger appears to help some women with morning sickness by reducing nausea and vomiting. The NCCAM says ginger appears to be safe for short-term relief of morning sickness.
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