The Healing Properties of Ginger

Ginger is a spice that has been used and traded by people around the world for centuries. It has also been used in the traditional medical practices of various countries, including China, India and the Middle East, to support, prevent and treat illness, and is now becoming more well known in the Western world for its powerful healing properties.

History

• Ginger has been used in foods and medicines in China and India since the fourth century BC or earlier. It was traded extensively through the Middle East and Europe. The Spanish brought ginger with them on their voyages to the New World. Ginger has been called the "universal medicine" in Ayurvedic medicine--the traditional medical system of India--because it benefits all three body types, or "doshas." In Chinese medicine, ginger is still used today to treat stomachaches, nausea and diarrhea.

Benefits

• Ginger is likely most well known for its beneficial effects on motion and morning sickness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It acts to reduce stomach and intestinal spasms, while at the same time supporting digestion. Ginger is also a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory. It reduces the joint pain and swelling associated with arthritis, eases migraine headaches and prevents stomach ulcer formation. Ginger reduces cholesterol levels by preventing cholesterol absorption from the diet and increases its elimination from the body. It reduces platelet aggregation (blood clotting) and supports cardiovascular health.

Potential

• The active compounds in ginger have also been shown in animal and test tube studies to prevent and may help treat various forms of cancer. A group of scientists in South Korea have found that gingerol may prevent the spread of breast cancer cells. Scientists in Taiwan and the United States have found that shogaol--another compound found in ginger--and gingerol may prevent colon and ovarian cancer cell growth. (See resources below.)

Prevention/Solution

• For motion sickness or other causes of nausea or vomiting, drink a glass of natural ginger beer or ginger ale. Make sure that the drink does not have excess sugar and actually contains ginger instead of just ginger flavor. You can also drink a cup of ginger tea or take a ginger supplement. Ginger supplements can be used daily to support overall health or for anti-inflammatory benefits. Look for a supplement that contains 20 percent of gingerol. Take between 100 to 200 mg daily.

Considerations

• Ginger is, for most people, a very safe spice and herbal medicine. In extremely high doses--over 6 grams daily--it may cause nausea in some people or heartburn if taken on an empty stomach in large amounts. Because of ginger's anti-clotting effect on platelets, it may interfere with medications such as aspirin or warfarin. Talk to your doctor before taking a ginger supplement if you are taking any prescription medications to treat a blood clotting disorder. Stop taking ginger supplements two weeks prior to any surgical procedure.