We have all experienced relentless nausea at one time or another. At this point of time, your first thought may be to turn to over-the-counter medications; however, ginger works as a simple and effective antidote.
For thousands of years, Arab, Indian and Asian healers have valued ginger as a food and medicine. It is used effectively to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by sickness and seasickness.
Thanks to the spice trade, the tradition spread to Europe. As a 16th century physician said, “Ginger is good for a bad stomach.” In The Family Herbal of 1814, the English physician Robert Thornton noted that “two or three cups for breakfast” will relieve “dyspepsia due to heavy alcohol consumption”.
Modern research has later confirmed that ginger helps to reduce nausea and vomiting from multiple causes: morning sickness, postoperative complaints, chemotherapy treatments, and motion sickness.
Studies on whether or not ginger can prevent motion sickness are mixed. One study found that ginger was just as effective, with fewer side effects, as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Other studies indicate that when added to anti-nausea medications, it further reduces nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy.
While the best-studied use of ginger is in the fight against nausea and vomiting, studies have shown ginger to be a multi-faceted remedy with at least six additional healing effects: It reduces pain and inflammation, making it invaluable in managing arthritis, headaches, and menstrual or period cramps.
It has a warming effect and stimulates circulation.
It inhibits the rhinovirus, which can cause colds.
In the intestinal tract, it helps get rid of gas and painful spasms.
It helps to prevent stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
You can consume ginger in any form.
Try it in tea, soup, or capsule, if you’re pregnant: – up to 250 milligrams four times a day. If you’ve chosen a soft drink, make sure it’s made with real ginger. You can also snack on crystallized ginger.
In order to fight motion sickness: Taking 1 gram of dried, powdered and encapsulated ginger 30 minutes to two hours before travelling, can help relieve travel-related nausea.
For postoperative nausea: In a recent study on the use of ginger for postoperative nausea, the dose was 500 milligrams 30 minutes before surgery and 500 milligrams 2 hours after surgery. Otherwise, ginger is generally not recommended for the seven to ten days before surgery due to its effect on blood clotting. Before consuming ginger in large quantities, discuss the use of ginger with your surgeon or anesthesiologist.
