Ginger, a flavorful root used in many different cuisines, has long been a popular remedy for nausea, a type of stomach upset that often results from morning sickness, motion sickness, chemotherapy, food poisoning, migraines, and the use of certain medications. It is particularly popular in traditional Asian and Arabic medicines. Many people use ginger supplements when treating nausea, although fresh, dried, and crystallized ginger may also help soothe nausea when consumed as foods or spices.
While it's not known how ginger might ease nausea, some scientists suspect that certain chemicals found in ginger may influence the nervous system, stomach, and intestines to help reduce nausea.
Ginger for nausea works directly on the stomach and is thought to increase the movement of the GI tract.
A 2020 systematic review published in Journal ofObstetrics and Gynaecology found that ginger had a positive effect on nausea in pregnant women—further confirming the results of previous studies.
In addition, in a 2006 report from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, investigators sized up five clinical trials (with a total of 363 patients) and concluded that taking ginger is more effective than placebo for post-surgery nausea and vomiting.
Althoughresearch findings are still mixed, some studies suggest ginger may have some benefit in further reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy treatment. In 2012, a study reported in Integrated Cancer Therapyfound that ginger was effective in reducing nausea caused by chemotherapy. Ginger was administered to women being treated for advanced breast cancer; the study found that " A significantly lower prevalence of nausea was observed in the ginger group during 6 to 24 hours post chemotherapy."
A 2019 systematic review published in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found no association between ginger and chemotherapy-induced nausea. However, the researchers noted that ginger supplementation may benefit chemotherapy-induced vomiting as well as fatigue.
According to a study published in 2014, ginger supplements are of little value in protecting against motion sickness.
Uses
Ginger is available in extracts, tinctures, lozenges, supplements, and teas. It can also be purchased in crystallized form and is included as an ingredient in ginger ale and ginger beer. Most of these products are available in ordinary grocery stores, though some may be harder to find.
While ginger is generally considered safe for most people, it may cause some mild side effects (including heartburn, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort). Also,some sources say there isn't enough information about the safety of ginger in pregnant women (in theory, ginger could inhibit an enzyme called thromboxane synthetase and possibly influence sex steroid differentiation in the fetal brain).
It's important to take caution when using ginger in combination with other medications. For instance, combining ginger supplements with blood-thinning drugs may increase the risk of bleeding.
If you're considering the use of ginger supplements in thetreatment of a health problem (or during chemotherapy), make sure to consult your physician before starting your supplement regimen. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.
6 Sources
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National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ginger.
By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.
Ginger is an ancient herb used widely in history for its many natural medicinal properties and particularly as an antiemetic. The best available evidence demonstrates that ginger is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea and vomiting and is safe.
The quick answer is yes, research has shown that ginger can increase the responsiveness of the digestive system and speed stomach emptying, which leads to reduced feelings of nausea.
But, it's important to remember that the effects of ginger won't be immediate; it takes about 2 grams of ginger each day for a minimum of 11 days before effects are felt. If you don't like the taste of straight ginger, adding some to your tea as well as soups, coffee, and even hot chocolate, can mask its strong flavor.
It is considered to be one of the best OTC nausea medications for motion sickness and morning sickness. The brand name, Dramamine, is more expensive than generic dimenhydrinate. At CVS, a 12-count pack of 50mg Dramamine tablets costs $9.49. The generic version costs just $6.49.
Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.
Many studies use 200–2,000 mg daily ( 31 ). Regardless of the condition, most researchers seem to agree that dividing 1,000–1,500 mg of ginger into multiple doses is the best way to use it for treating nausea. Higher doses are generally less effective and may have side effects ( 32 ).
Ginger supplements aren't necessary, and experts recommend that those who want the health benefits of ginger enjoy it in food and beverages instead of swallowing ginger pills, which may contain other, unnoted ingredients.
Blood-thinning medications: Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Diabetes medications: Ginger may lower blood sugar.
There is no conclusive evidence to prove that ginger can stop or get rid of colds, but research suggests that it may help prevent them. Ginger can also help improve the symptoms of a cold.
One 2000 study found that ginger extract was as effective as ibuprofen in the first treatment period of a cross-over study. Researchers in a 2016 study found that ginger and echinacea supplements effectively reduced inflammation and pain after knee surgery.
Brand names for ondansetron include Zofran, Zofran ODT, and Zuplenz. Dramamine is a brand name for dimenhydrinate. Dramamine is available over-the-counter (OTC).
Antihistamines, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine), can help keep queasiness at bay when nausea is due to motion sickness. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) may help ease nausea and vomiting due to certain causes, including some stomach viruses.
Fortunately, ginger is a food that has all the elements needed to prevent and treat liver problems. Experts suggest that ginger supplementation represents a new treatment strategy for NAFLD by improving the body's antioxidant activity, reducing inflammation and insulin resistance.
Most of the research on ginger has looked at dosages of between 250 milligrams (mg) and 1 g, taken between one and four times each day. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers ginger root to be generally safe with an approved daily intake recommendation of up to 4 g .
It is rare to have side effects from ginger. In high doses it may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth. You may be able to avoid some of the mild stomach side effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset, by taking ginger supplements in capsules or taking ginger with meals.
Ginger helps relieve morning sickness for some people. Ginger comes in capsules, candies, snaps, real ginger ale and tea made with fresh-grated ginger. Hypnosis. Although there's little research on the topic, some people have found relief from morning sickness through hypnosis.
Ginger is believed to speed up the movement of food through the GI tract, while also protecting the gut. It may also ease bloating, cramping, and gas. If you are dealing with an upset stomach, you may want to boil some fresh ginger or add a little ground ginger to some hot water.
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