Ginger

Ginger is a perennial plant that grows in India, China, Mexico, and several other countries. The rhizome (underground stem) is used.

Traditional Chinese medicine has recommended ginger for over 2,500 years. It is used for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and rheumatism. Ginger is commonly used in the Ayurvedic and Tibb systems of medicine for the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis.

Active constituents of ginger

The dried rhizome of ginger contains approximately 1–4% volatile oils. These are the medically active constituents of ginger, and they are also responsible for ginger’s characteristic odor and taste. The aromatic principles include zingiberene and bisabolene, while the pungent principles are known as gingerols and shogaols. The pungent constituents are credited with the antinausea and antivomiting effects of ginger.

Digestive system actions: Ginger is a classic tonic for the digestive tract. Classified as an aromatic bitter, it stimulates digestion. It also keeps the intestinal muscles toned. This action eases the transport of substances through the digestive tract, lessening irritation to the intestinal walls. Ginger may protect the stomach from the damaging effect of alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) and may help prevent ulcers.

Antinausea/antivomiting actions: Research is inconclusive as to how ginger acts to alleviate nausea. Ginger may act directly on the gastrointestinal system, it may affect the part of the central nervous system that causes nausea, it may exert a dual effect in reducing nausea and vomiting. Double blind research has shown that ginger reduces nausea after surgery, although one study could not confirm this benefit. However, the common antinausea drug dropericol was also ineffective in this study. Other studies have found ginger helpful for preventing motion sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and nausea of pregnancy.

Circulatory actions: Ginger also supports a healthy cardiovascular system. Like garlic, ginger makes blood platelets less sticky and less likely to aggregate; however, not all human research has confirmed this. A high dose (10 grams) of ginger can inhibit excessive platelet aggregation in humans, but lower doses taken for longer do not seem to have this effect. This action reduces a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.

How much ginger is usually taken?

Some herbalists suggest the use of 2–4 grams of the dried rhizome powder two to three times per day or a tincture of 1.5–3 ml three times daily. For treatment of nausea, approximately 250–500 mg should be taken every two to three hours. For prevention of motion sickness, ginger tablets, capsules, or liquid herbal extract should be taken two days before the planned trip. Pregnant women should not exceed 1 gram daily.