A little ginger adds zing to a dish, but there’s more to this spice than taste! This root has a number of health benefits and has been used for thousands of years in Asian, Indian and Arabic countries to relieve symptoms like indigestion, nausea and menstrual cramps. Ginger is also used as a traditional herbal medicine for treating flu symptoms, heart conditions and arthritis. Modern studies of the health benefits of ginger show that traditional uses of ginger have a sound scientific basis.
Nausea
Ginger is well known as a remedy for nausea. Whether nausea and vomiting are caused by a stomach bug, pregnancy, chemotherapy or surgery, inhaling ginger or drinking ginger tea or ginger ale can often help.
Studies suggest that ginger in doses of one gram per day over no more than four days can be a safe and effective treatment for morning sickness.
Researchers have also found that ginger can relieve symptoms of nausea in people undergoing chemotherapy treatment although the spice does not reduce the severity of vomiting in these patients.
Motion-Sickness
Ginger is a simple and effective treatment for motion-sickness. Travel industry experts recommend travelers prone to motion-sickness to take doses of ginger every quarter hour during the hour before setting out on a boat or car trip,repeating the dose at the first sign of nausea during travel. Ginger may be taken by drinking a cup of ginger tea, or by ingesting a quarter teaspoon of dried powdered ginger or a half teaspoon of grated fresh ginger root.
Studies comparing the effects of ginger, placebos and prescribed medications have found that ginger may perform better than placebos. While less effective in combating motion-sickness than prescribed medications, ginger is also less likely to cause unwanted side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth.
Migraines
When taken at the onset of migraine symptoms, ginger may help to prevent a full-blown migraine attack from developing. Recommended dosage of ginger is several slices of fresh root or one third of a teaspoon of powder. The explanation put forward by Danish scientists is that ginger works by blocking the effect of prostaglandins, the hormone-like substances that inflame blood vessels in the brain and cause migraine headaches.
Arthritis
Ginger has been shown to help relieve pain and inflammation in patients with osteoarthritis, and it is less likely to cause side effects than the anti-inflammatory drugs often used in the treatment of arthritic conditions.
Blood Clots and High Cholesterol
Studies of the blood thinning properties of ginger suggest it has effects similar to those of aspirin and in addition tends to soothe the intestinal tract while aspirin can irritate the stomach. Ginger can inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, helping to lower levels of cholesterol in the blood. Ginger can therefore reduce the risk of strokes or heart attacks resulting from blood vessels being blocked by blood clots; its antioxidant properties are also said to strengthen the muscles of the heart.
More Health Benefits
Taking ginger is said to boost the effectiveness of antibacterial treatments for viruses by 50%, and research is currently being undertaken to investigate whether ginger has potential benefits for fighting cancer or treating disorders of the immune system.
There is always a risk of side effects or reactions when taking herbs and medicines. Ginger in high doses has been found to cause stomach upsets or heartburn, and ginger should be avoided by anyone who has a bleeding disorder or is taking medication such as aspirin that thins the blood. If you are uncertain whether it is safe for you to take ginger, discuss the matter with a health professional.
Dosage
Do not give ginger to children under two years of age.
Small doses of between one and four grams of ginger per day can be taken by adults; this dosage is based on an adult with a body weight of 150 pounds (70kg), and in the case of children aged over two years the dosage should be adjusted in proportion to the fresh ginger root or in the form of powder, capsules, tablets, extracts, tinctures and oils.
For oral treatment of nausea, recommended adult dosages are 2-4 grams daily of fresh ginger root, half a teaspoon of powdered ginger every 4 hours (no more than 4 doses daily), or 1.5-3.0 ml daily of liquid ginger extract. Drinking ginger tea or chewing fresh ginger root can also help relieve nausea. If you prefer to inhale ginger, place a drop of oil or a few slices of fresh root in hot water and inhale the steam.
For arthritis, pain may be alleviated by taking ginger orally; treating painful joints directly with rubbing with ginger oil or applying warm ginger root compresses may also be effective.
Brewing Ginger Tea
To make ginger tea, steep slices or shreds of fresh ginger root in boiling water and allow the brew to cool before drinking.