Ginger

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Ginger is an herb native to Asia. For thousands of years it has been used as an herbal medicine in Arabia and India, as well as Asia. Ginger is a bulky root that grows partly underground and protrudes as much as a foot above the ground's surface. It has narrow, ribbed green leaves, with yellow-green flowers.

Main uses

Ginger can be dried, powdered, used in its natural form, converted into an oil or juice. It has been used to treat:

Motion sickness
Upset stomach
Morning sickness
Cold and flu
Flatulence
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting following surgery
Appetite loss

Other uses

Some other uses for ginger include:

Pain relief (arthritis, menstruation, joint, and muscle)
Bronchitis
Cough
Upper respiratory infection
Laxative
Antacid

Migraines

A double-blind, non-placedbo controlled study released in May 2013 compared two types of migraine treatments in 100 acute migraine patients.^[5] Participants were given ginger powder or sumatriptan, a common migraine drug, to take at migraine onset. After two hours, both groups experienced significantly reduced head pain.

Ginger powder may significantly reduce head pain.

The researchers concluded that ginger worked just as well as sumatriptan with fewerside effects.

While this study shows promise, migraine patients shouldalways consult their healthcare provider before taking a new supplement.

Safety concerns and side effects

Ginger root

Ginger is safe for most people if consumed in normal amounts.

Side effects of ginger can include diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea, gas, and heartburn.

Prescription and over-the-counter ginger therapies for nausea may cause drowsiness and dry mouth.

Risk of excess menstrual bleeding.

Ginger may cause skin irritation.

Do not take ginger if you're on blood thinners.

Talk to your doctor before using ginger while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you're pregnant, it's best to avoid ginger close to your delivery date since it may increase the chance of bleeding.

Because ginger has been linked to lowering blood sugar, diabetes patients may need to adjust their medication.

Don't use ginger if you have a heart condition.

Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you have gallstones.^[4]

In some cases, a combination of ginger and regular anti-nausea medication may be more effective.

Herbs are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Product safety and consistency are not guaranteed. Effects can vary according to brand and batch.

References

National Institutes of Health; MedlinePlus; "Ginger;" 2013
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Herbs at a Glance; "Ginger;" 2008
Bauer, B.; Mayo Clinic; "Ginger for Nausea: Does It Work?"; 2011
University of Maryland Medical Center; "Ginger;" 2010
Mehdi, M. et. al.; Phytotherapy Research; "Comparison Between the Efficacy of Ginger and Sumatriptan in the Ablative Treatment of the Common Migraine;" 2013