Jamaican ginger, which is another term for regular ginger, is a flavorful spice and a good source of antioxidants. It is also a popular herbal remedy for a variety of conditions, but it also is associated with an outbreak of paralysis. Although Jamaican ginger did not directly cause paralysis in this notorious outbreak, the incident is a prime example of the need to be cautious about taking dietary supplements.
Background on Ginger
Ginger is also known as Jamaican ginger, according to Medline Plus. It may prevent or reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and nausea from motion sickness. Ginger supplements include fresh or dried ginger roots and ginger oils, extracts and capsules, and you can make ginger tea from fresh root, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The paralysis outbreak of the 1930s affected individuals who drank tea labeled as Jamaican ginger tea, according to "Public Health Reports," a publication of the U.S. Public Health Service.
Historical Context
The Jamaica ginger paralysis outbreak occurred during the 1930s, according to "Public Health Reports." At this time, Prohibition was in effect in the United States, and alcohol was illegal. Many pharmacies provided a relatively common source of liquor in the form of Jamaican ginger, or “Jake,” which came with claims of healing headaches and indigestion. This fermented ginger product had an alcohol content of 70 percent. Availability of fermented ginger beverages increased as more people looked for a source of alcohol, and contamination was rampant.
Famous Outbreak
In the 1930s, more than 10,000 individuals throughout much of the nation began to experience paralysis, according to "Public Health Reports." Neurological symptoms started with leg numbness, progression to “foot drop,” in which the affected individual could not control foot and ankle muscles, and eventual “wrist drop.” Epidemiological investigations revealed a connection to consumption of illegal preparations of Jamaican ginger tea, or “Jake,” and the cause of paralysis may have been consumption of a chemical called tri-orthocresyl phosphate. This contaminant was a cheaper alternative to oleoresin for muting the unpleasant taste of ginger.
Considerations
Paralysis from the Jamaican ginger outbreak rarely caused death, but some affected individuals experienced permanent neurological damage, according to "Public Health Reports." Despite this outbreak, regulation of dietary supplements is still not as rigorous as for foods and drugs. The Food and Drug Administration inspects food and drugs before they go on the market, but manufacturers of dietary supplements are responsible for testing their own products for safety under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, or DSHEA.
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