Curry, Ginger & Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is the irritation and swelling of the liver that is caused by hepatitis B virus. You get the infection upon contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluid. Appetite loss, fatigue, fever, muscle aches, nausea and jaundice are the common symptoms associated with the condition. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications and surgery, along with bed rest and plenty of fluids, to manage the condition. Certain foods such as curry and ginger may also help treat symptoms of hepatitis B.

Curry and Ginger

Ginger is the thick, knotted underground stem of the Zingiber officinale plant. It has been used as a food for centuries in several cultures. Ginger also contains volatile oils and pungent polyphenols, which give it immense medicinal value. It has been used to treat a variety of conditions such as nausea, morning sickness, osteoarthritis and lower cholesterol. Ginger is available as fresh or dried root and as extracts, tinctures, capsules and oils. The dosage and schedule for supplements may vary, depending on your age and overall health.
Curry is an important part of Indian and Pakistani cuisines. It is generally made with vegetables and spices, including turmeric. Turmeric contains a polyphenolic compound called curcumin, which is an antioxidant responsible for the biological activity of curry.

Hepatitis B

Curcumin found in curry can inhibit the growth of hepatitis B virus by down-regulating the proteins responsible for the multiplication of the virus, says a study published in the June 2010 issue of the journal “FEBS Letters.” Science Daily also reported in October 2010 that curcumin can help prevent liver damage during liver diseases. William Finley Green, author of the book “The First Year – Hepatitis B,” points out that ginger can help reduce nausea associated with hepatitis B. You can use fresh ginger root in your cooking or make a decoction with ginger shavings and hot water, the author suggests. James Miller, author of the book “How I Cured Myself of Hepatitis B,” reaffirms that adding ginger to your everyday diet can play a key role in treating hepatitis B.
Many curries contain ginger. You can also add the ginger to the curry before or after cooking it to get the benefits of ginger and curry at the same time.

Side Effects

Both curry and ginger have been used for thousands of years and are generally considered safe. However, excessive amounts of curcumin may lead to upset stomach and ulcers. Ginger can also lead to heartburn and upset stomach. Both ginger and turmeric may interfere with certain blood-thinning and diabetes medications. Also, remember that curry may contain cooking oil and clarified butter, which may increase your body fat.

Precautions

Although curry and ginger are safe to eat, you should talk to a doctor before using them for medicinal purposes. Also, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these foods. Hence, make sure that the curry and ginger you plan to eat is prepared in a clean environment using quality spices and ingredients.