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Ginger Root Remedies

Easily recognized by its slightly spicy taste and a gnarly brown shape, ginger root is used in cooking and candies, and can even be pickled. Long used to soothe mild upset stomachs, a study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology showed that ginger aids the process of digestion by encouraging the movement of food from the stomach into the upper small intestine. Gentle yet effective, ginger holds a place in alternative medicine and comes in several forms. Here are some popular remedies involving this multipurpose root.

  1. Types of Ginger

    • You can buy ginger in various forms. Peel the rough skin of fresh ginger, and after you grate, ground or chop it, immerse it in hot water for a tea. Pickled ginger usually accompanies sushi and cleanses the palate between bites. Crystallized ginger is added to desserts, but can be a sweet treat all its own and eating a piece or two after a meal can soothe stomachs. You'll find ground ginger in free powdered form and contained in pills; while the free form is used in cooking, the pills are used primarily for medicinal purposes.

    Inflammation

    • Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds that make it very valuable for health problems involving chronic inflammation. According to a 2008 study in the British journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that combat conditions such as ulcerative colitis, osteoarthritis of the knee and general joint pain.

    Lower Cholesterol

    • According to the Journal of Nutrition from The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, ginger might decrease your cholesterol and prevent blood clots, thereby reducing your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. This is especially promising news for those with heart disease who are already taking many prescription drugs. If you are already taking medication to lower your cholesterol, consult with your doctor first.

    Motion Sickness

    • If you experience motion sickness in planes, trains, boats or automobiles, you can feel nauseous, dizzy or break out into cold sweats. Taking powdered ginger pills has proven to reduce some of these effects, if not eliminating them entirely. Plus, unlike prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, ginger root does not cause unwanted side effects like drowsiness or dry mouth. You can also drink ginger tea during your trip, either from peeled fresh ginger or from a bag of ginger tea.

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