Ginger, the underground stem, or rhizome, of the plant Zingiber
officinale has been used as a medicine in Asian, Indian, and Arabic
herbal traditions since ancient times. In China, for example, ginger
has been used to aid digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and
nausea for more than 2,000 years. Since ancient times, ginger has also
been used to help treat arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart
conditions. In addition to these medicinal uses, ginger continues to be
valued around the world as an important cooking spice and is believed
to help the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and even painful
menstrual periods. Native to Asia where its use as a culinary spice
spans at least 4,400 years, ginger grows in fertile, moist, tropical
soil.
Plant Description
Ginger is a knotted, thick, beige underground stem (rhizome). The
stem extends roughly 12 inches above ground with long, narrow, ribbed,
green leaves, and white or yellowish-green flowers.
What''s It Made Of?
The important active components of the ginger root are thought to be
volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds (such as gingerols and
shogaols).
Medicinal Uses and Indications
Today, ginger root is widely used as a digestive aid for mild stomach
upset and is commonly recommended by health care professionals to help
prevent or treat nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness,
pregnancy, and cancer chemotherapy. Ginger is used as support in
inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and may even be used in
heart disease or cancer.
Motion Sickness
Several studies suggest that ginger may be more effective than
placebo in reducing symptoms associated with motion sickness. In one
trial of 80 novice sailors (prone to motion sickness), those who took
powdered ginger experienced a significant reduction in vomiting and
cold sweating compared to those who took placebo. Similar results were
found in a study with healthy volunteers. While these results are
promising, other studies suggest that ginger is not as effective as
medications in reducing symptoms associated with motion sickness. In a
small study of volunteers who were given ginger (fresh root and powder
form), scopolamine (a medication commonly prescribed for motion
sickness), or placebo, those receiving the medication experienced
significantly fewer symptoms compared to those who received ginger.
Conventional prescription and non-prescription medicines that
decrease nausea may also cause unwanted side effects, such as dry mouth
and drowsiness. Given the safety of ginger, many people find it a
welcome alternative to these medications to relieve their motion
sickness.
Pregnancy Related Nausea and Vomiting
A limited number of human studies suggests that 1 gram daily of
ginger may be safe and effective for pregnancy-associated nausea and
vomiting when used for short periods (no longer than 4 days).
Several
studies have found that ginger is more effective than placebo in
relieving nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. In a small
study including 30 pregnant women with severe vomiting, those who
ingested 1 gram of ginger every day for four days reported more relief
from vomiting than those who received placebo. In a larger study
including 70 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting, those who
received a similar dosage of ginger felt less nauseous and experienced
fewer vomiting episodes than those who received placebo.
Chemotherapy nausea
There is evidence from a few studies that suggests ginger reduces
the severity and duration of nausea (but not vomiting) during
chemotherapy. Long-term studies should be performed to confirm these
results and to establish safety.
Nausea and vomiting following surgery
Research has produced mixed results regarding the use of ginger in
the treatment of nausea and vomiting following surgery. In two studies,
1 gram of ginger root before surgery reduced nausea as effectively as a
leading medication. In one of these two studies, women who received
ginger also required fewer nausea-relieving medications following
surgery. Other studies, however, have failed to find the same positive
effects. In fact, one study found that ginger may actually increase
vomiting following surgery. For this reason, further studies are needed
to determine whether ginger is safe and effective for the prevention
and treatment of nausea and vomiting following surgery.
Inflammation
In addition to providing relief from nausea and vomiting, ginger
extract has long been used in traditional medical practices to decrease
inflammation. In fact, many health care professionals today use ginger
to help treat health problems associated with inflammation, such as
arthritis and ulcerative colitis. In a study of 261 people with
osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, those who received a ginger extract
twice daily experienced less pain and required fewer pain-killing
medications compared to those who received placebo. Although there have
also been a few other studies of the benefit of ginger for arthritis,
one trial found that the herb was no more effective than ibuprofen (a
medication frequently used to treat OA) or placebo in reducing symptoms
of OA.