Are you constantly bugged by bouts of nausea? Did you know that ginger is effective for easing nausea and vomiting? It has a wide range of health benefits, and one of them is its ability to relieve this problem. Whether the nausea you experience is caused by medical treatment such as chemotherapy or motion sickness, morning sickness, migraines or certain foods that you eat, this herb is highly effective in reducing it. While ginger supplements are most commonly used to treat nausea (1), you can also use it in crystallized, fresh or dried form as well.

Ginger Against Nausea And Vomiting:

While it is not exactly known how ginger works to relieve nausea, researchers believe that certain chemicals that ginger contains may have an effect on the stomach, intestines and nervous system to help in reducing it. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) places ginger supplements on the list of foods that are “possibly effective” for the prevention of morning sickness and control of nausea that follows surgery.

According to a report on an analysis of six clinical trials, it was found that ginger was similar to Vitamin B6 and superior to placebo in providing relief from nausea and vomiting experienced by pregnant women (2). In addition, another report of five clinical trials concluded that consuming ginger is more effective in relieving post-surgery nausea and vomiting when compared to placebo.

The National Institutes of Health also places ginger supplements on the list of foods that are considered “possibly effective” for the prevention of seasickness and motion sickness. The results of the studies vary. While some small studies showed that these supplements help in treating and preventing motion sickness to a certain degree, there are others that show that they have very little effect on this problem.

Studies On The Effects Of Ginger Against Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea:

According to studies, taking ginger with standard anti-nausea medications may help in the further reduction or elimination of nausea and vomiting during and after treatments with chemotherapy (3).

There are results from two studies that show that adults who were given ginger in various doses before starting the chemotherapy treatments found a significant reduction in the severity of the nausea they experienced. In these studies, the subjects were given this herb three days prior to their treatments. It was administered orally along with the standard prescription medications used for relieving nausea and vomiting. A small percentage of the participants reported side-effects such as heartburn, rashes, flushing, and bruising.

In another study, it was found that taking ginger in the powdered form (4) could effectively reduce the severity of nausea induced by chemotherapy in children and young adults aged between 8 and 21. Like in the other studies, the participants were given ginger in addition to the standard medications that are prescribed to reduce nausea.

In the largest study to date that was conducted to evaluate the benefits of ginger for patients going through chemotherapy, it was found that just one-quarter of a teaspoon of ginger can lower the symptoms of nausea by 40 percent. The study involved 644 participants who were randomly assigned to receive 0.5 grams, 1.0 grams or 1.5 grams of ginger in capsule form or placebo once per day for six days (5). They were given these doses three days before the first day of chemotherapy. They were all also given the traditional drugs prescribed for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Ginger And Nausea Related To Pregnancy:

Human studies suggest that a daily dose of 1 gram of ginger may decrease nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, when it is used for short periods of time, i.e., not more than 4 days. There have been several studies that show that this herb is more effective than placebo in relieving morning sickness.

In a small study, 30 pregnant women who experienced severe vomiting were given 1 gram of ginger daily for four days. The results reported that these women gained more relief from vomiting than the women who were given the placebo. In a larger study that had 70 pregnant women who experienced nausea and vomiting, it was found that those who were given the same dose of ginger had reduced nausea and did not vomit as much as those who were given placebo (6).

Experts advise pregnant women to consult their health care providers before taking ginger to relieve pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting and not to exceed 1 gram per day.

Ginger And Post-Surgery Nausea And Vomiting:

The results of studies are mixed when it comes to whether ginger can effectively relieve the nausea and vomiting that occurs after surgery. According to two studies, it was found that taking 1 gram of root ginger before surgery helped in reducing nausea as effectively as a leading medication (7). In one out of the two studies, women who were given ginger required fewer medications for nausea after going through a surgical procedure.

However, in other studies, it was found that ginger did not help at all in reducing nausea (8). In fact, according to one study, this herb may actually cause an increase in vomiting after surgery. Needless to say, more research is required.

Ginger And Osteoarthritis:

For centuries, ginger has been used as a natural treatment for inflammation in traditional medicine. There is some scientific evidence that this herb may help in reducing the pain associated with osteoarthritis. In a study of 261 patients who suffered from osteoarthritis in the knee, it was found that the participants who were given ginger extract two times a day experienced lesser pain and required fewer medications that kill pain compared to those who were given placebo (9).

However, in another study, it was found that ginger was no more effective than placebo or ibuprofen in decreasing the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It may take several weeks for it to work as a natural treatment.

Available Forms Of Ginger:

Ginger products are produced from ginger root that is fresh or dried. They are also made from steam distillation of the oil found in the root. Nowadays, ginger extracts, oils, tinctures and capsules can be found. You can also make tea using fresh ginger (10). This root is a common ingredient that is used to spice up a wide variety of foods and can be found in different foods and drinks including ginger ale, gingerbread, ginger sticks and ginger snaps.

How To Take Ginger For Nausea:

For Children:

• Ginger should not be given to children under the age of 2.
• Children over the age of 2 may take ginger as a natural remedy for nausea, headaches and stomach cramps. However, you should consult a doctor for the appropriate dose.

For Adults:

• In general, you should not exceed 4 grams of ginger per day. It is also important to keep in mind that pregnant women should not take more than 1 gram per day.
• For nausea, indigestion or gas: As you have already learned, some studies have used 1 gram of ginger per day in doses that are divided. You should consult your doctor to find the dose that is right for you.

For Nausea During Pregnancy:

In some studies, 650 milligrams to 1 gram a day have been used to treat nausea induced by pregnancy (10). You should consult your doctor to make sure that it is safe for you to take ginger while you are pregnant.

For Arthritis:

In one study, 250 milligrams of ginger, 4 times a day was used to relieve pain caused by arthritis.

Points To Remember:

1. For centuries, herbs have been used to strengthen the body, promote health and treat a wide range of diseases. However, despite being natural, they can trigger side effects and cause adverse reactions when they are interacting with other herbs, medications or supplements. For these reasons, it is important to keep in mind that herbs should be taken under the supervision of a medical expert who is qualified and experienced in the field of botanical medicine.

2. It is in very rare cases that ginger causes side-effects. When it is taken in high doses, it can result in heartburn, irritation of the mouth and diarrhea. It is possible to avoid some of the mild effects of ginger on the stomach such as belching, heartburn, and upset stomach by taking it in the form of supplements or including it in your meals.

3. If you suffer from gallstones, it is important that you consult your health care provider before taking ginger. Keep in mind that you need to inform your doctor if you have taken this herb prior to the surgery or before you are placed under anesthesia.

4. People with diabetes and heart conditions as well as women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take ginger without consulting their doctors first.

5. You should avoid taking ginger if you suffer from a bleeding disorder or have been prescribed blood-thinning medications, which includes aspirin.

Potential Interactions:

It is possible that ginger will interact with certain over-the-counter and prescription medications. Do not take ginger without consulting your health care provider if you take the following medications:

1. Blood-Thinning Medicines: As mentioned earlier, you should not take ginger if you need to take blood-thinning medications without talking to your physician first (11). This herb may increase the risk of bleeding.

2. Medications For Diabetes: If you suffer from diabetes, you should avoid taking ginger as it may lower the levels of blood sugar. This, in turn, could increase the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

3. Medications For High Blood Pressure: If your doctor has prescribed you medications for high blood pressure, keep away from ginger. This herb may cause the blood pressure to go down and this, in turn, can increase the risk of low blood pressure or irregular heartbeats.

Is Ginger Good For Nausea?

Numerous studies have been conducted on ginger to determine whether it has positive effects on nausea and vomiting (12). While some studies have shown evidence that it is indeed effective in providing relief from these problems, there have been others that have shown inconclusive results. More research is required to find out more details. However, in cases of nausea that is caused by pregnancy, research has found that ginger is an effective and safe remedy against it when taken in small doses.

Since ginger is natural and provides many health benefits, you can use it to relieve nausea and vomiting without any worries. In traditional medicine, this beneficial root has been used as an herbal remedy for the treatment and prevention of a variety of conditions and ailments which include the following:

• Flu
• Headache
• Cold
• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diarrhea
• Athlete’s foot
• Kidney disease
• Bronchitis
• Hepatitis
• Malaria
• Psoriasis
• Depression
• Ulcers
• Cancer

Ginger has many uses, including as an antacid, anti-inflammatory and cough suppressant (13). You can gain its benefits by adding it to your recipes, drinking it as a tea and taking it in the form of supplements. Again, you should keep in mind that you should talk to your doctor before taking it, especially if you suffer from certain conditions or have been prescribed medications.

Taking ginger may help you gain relief from nausea and vomiting. However, keep in mind that in most studies, it was taken with standard medications that are prescribed for relieving these problems (14). For it to work, you may need to combine it with these medications, provided your doctor gives you the green light. Nausea is an uncomfortable problem and finding quick relief is important.

If the problem persists, talk to your doctor as it could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Self-treatment or delaying or avoiding medical care could result in serious consequences.

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by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE