Sushi ginger, also known as pickled ginger or gari, is an ingredient in making sushi and also can serve as a form of antacid when you have an attack of indigestion. Sushi ginger is pickled so it lasts longer in your refrigerator than freshly sliced ginger, and it may have the same therapeutic effects on silent reflux. Ask your doctor for advice before using any remedy to treat a health problem.
Silent Reflux
Laryngopharyngeal reflux, or silent reflux, occurs when gastric acids back up into your larynx and into the back of your throat or pharynx. An attack of silent reflux means your esophagus is not working properly; instead of keeping the foods you eat down in your stomach, it allows them to travel back up and into your throat and voice box.
Symptoms
When you have silent reflux, you do not necessarily have nausea or heartburn. You may only feel your food backing up. This could mean your esophageal sphincter is not operating at an efficient level because of any of a number of problems, including weight gain, smoking, tight clothes around the waist or eating too close to bedtime. Some people experience heartburn, while others only experience coughing that wakes them from sleep. Thick mucus, hoarseness and other problems that arise from the gastric acids invading your larynx and pharynx could also be symptoms.
Ginger Treatment for Silent Reflux
Along with remedies such as elevating your head when you sleep, losing excess weight and taking medications, ginger has been used effectively to help heartburn and silent reflux. In China, ginger has been used for over 2,000 years to deal with digestive disorders and other ailments such as menstrual cramps and headaches. While ginger has not been evaluated by the FDA, a significant amount of evidence has been gathered proving its usefulness as an alternative medication for nausea. At the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand, researchers reported that 1 gram of ginger reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients. The "International Journal of Women's Health" reports that taking ginger in addition to other supplements such as vitamin B-6 under medical supervision can help women with severe nausea during early pregnancy. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises caution in using ginger supplements if you have diabetes, gallstones or heart problems without first checking with your medical provider.
Sushi Ginger
Sushi ginger is an accompaniment to sushi and is used as a palate cleanser between courses and as a remedy for digestive problems. Since it is pickled, it has a longer shelf life than fresh ginger and may be kept safely for months in your refrigerator. While you can purchase gari at an Asian food store, making a batch at home is simple and effective. Peel and thinly slice a piece of fresh ginger. Boil a cup of rice vinegar along with a cup of sugar and a tablespoon of salt. Pour over ginger that has been patted dry, let it cool and store in a jar for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator before using.
References
- New York Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.org: Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
- PubMed.com: The Efficacy of Ginger For the Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
- PubMed.com: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Drugs.com: Ginger
- A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- PubMed.com: Optimal Management of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
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