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Ginger

Overview

Ginger is a plant with leafy stems and yellowish green flowers. The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant. Ginger is native to warmer parts of Asia, such as China, Japan, and India, but now is grown in parts of South American and Africa. It is also now grown in the Middle East to use as medicine and with food.

Ginger is commonly used for many types of nausea and vomiting. It's also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

In foods and beverages, ginger is used as a flavoring agent.

In manufacturing, ginger is used as for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

One of the chemicals in ginger is also used as an ingredient in laxative, anti-gas, and antacid medications.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Plant

Primary Functions:

Nausea, vomiting

Also Known As:

African Ginger, Amomum Zingiber, Ardraka

How Does It Work?

Ginger contains chemicals that may reduce nausea and inflammation. Researchers believe the chemicals work primarily in the stomach and intestines, but they may also work in the brain and nervous system to control nausea.

Uses

  • Nausea and vomiting caused by drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS (antiretroviral-induced nausea and vomiting). Research suggests that taking ginger daily, 30 minutes before each dose of antiretroviral treatment for 14 days, reduces the risk of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving HIV treatment.
  • Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Research shows that taking ginger powder 500-2000 mg during the first 3-4 days of a menstrual cycle modestly decreases pain in women and teens with painful menstrual periods. Ginger was given for approximately 3 days starting at the beginning of the menstrual period or at the beginning of pain. Some research shows that taking ginger seems to work about as well as some pain medications, like ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, or Novafen.
  • Osteoarthritis. Most research shows that taking ginger by mouth can slightly reduce pain in some people with osteoarthritis. There is some evidence that taking ginger by mouth works as well as certain drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac for pain in hip and knee osteoarthritis. But conflicting results exist. Some early research also shows that ginger gel applied to the knee or ginger oil massaged into the knee can also relieve osteoarthritis pain.
  • Morning sickness. Taking ginger by mouth seems to reduce nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women. But it might work slower or not as well as some drugs used for nausea. Also, taking any herb or medication during pregnancy is a big decision. Before taking ginger, be sure to discuss the possible risks with your healthcare provider.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For nausea and vomiting caused by drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS (antiretroviral-induced nausea and vomiting): 1 gram of ginger daily in two divided doses 30 minutes before each antiretroviral treatment for 14 days has been used.
  • For menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea): 250 mg of a specific ginger extract (Zintoma, Goldaru) four times daily for 3 days from the start of the menstrual period has been used. Also, 1500 mg of ginger powder daily in up to three divided doses, starting up to two days before menstruation and continuing for the first 3 days of the menstruation cycle, has been used.
  • For morning sickness: 500 to 2500 mg of ginger daily in two to four divided doses for 3 days to 3 weeks has been used.
  • For osteoarthritis: Many different ginger extract products have been used in studies. The dosing used differs depending on the product taken. One ginger extract (Eurovita Extract 33; EV ext-33) 170 mg three times daily has been used. Another extract (Eurovita Extract 77; EV ext-77), which combines a ginger with an alpinia, 255 mg twice daily has also been used. Another ginger extract (Zintona EC) 250 mg four times daily has also been used. Also, a ginger extract (Eurovita Extract 35; EV ext-35) 340 mg daily in combination with 1000 mg of glucosamine daily for 4 weeks has been used.

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

  • For osteoarthritis: A specific gel containing ginger and plai (Plygersic gel, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research) 4 grams daily in four divided doses for 6 weeks has been used.

Ginger Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to take ginger supplements?

When taken by mouth: Ginger is LIKELY SAFE when taken appropriately. Ginger can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort. Some women have reported extra menstrual bleeding while taking ginger.

What are the side effects of ginger?

Side effects of ginger include:

  • increased bleeding
  • abdominal discomfort.
  • cardiac arrhythmias (if overdosed)
  • central nervous system depression (if overdosed)
  • dermatitis (with topical use)
  • diarrhea.
  • heartburn.
  • mouth or throat irritation.

Who should not take ginger?

Ginger seems to aid digestion and saliva flow. Studies found that taking ginger could reduce nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women. But pregnant women should be careful with ginger. Some experts worry that it could raise the risk of miscarriage, especially in high doses.

What happens if you drink ginger everyday?

Since ginger may fight germs, illness, inflammation, and cancer-causing molecules, taking a little bit every day can support your overall health. Ginger is a natural root, so drinking it will also give you added nutrients.

Does ginger reduce belly fat?

One small study found that overweight men who consumed ginger stayed fuller longer. A meta-analysis of studies that looked at ginger's weight loss benefits suggests that ginger has a significant effect on body weight and belly fat (waist-to-hip ratio). Gingerols encourage certain biological activities in your body.

Does Ginger raise blood pressure?

Ginger may help lower blood pressure, so you might experience lightheadedness as a side effect. Ginger also contains salicylates, the chemical in aspirin that acts as a blood thinner. But again, you'd have to consume much more than the recommended 4 grams of ginger a day to experience that effect.

Is Ginger bad for kidneys?

The corrective histopathological findings after treatment with ginger extracts give an additional support that ginger mops up free radicals generation by CCl4, reduces inflammation, improves kidney function, and induces healthy state of renal cells, suggesting its role as renal protective agent.

Does Ginger affect medication?

Ginger might slow blood clotting. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

What is the best time to drink ginger tea?

When taken in the first 30 minutes after you awake, it helps your body end it's overnight fast, charge up your metabolism and prevent nausea. Follow it immediately with a morning smoothie and you're good to get in that hour of morning yoga before you eat breakfast.

How do you take ginger?

A common way to make ginger water is as follows:

  • grate 1.5 teaspoons of fresh ginger.
  • boil 4 cups of water.
  • add the ginger to the water.
  • remove the water from the stove.
  • allow the ginger to steep for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • strain the liquid to remove ginger pieces.

Can too much ginger be harmful?

When taken by mouth: Ginger is LIKELY SAFE when taken appropriately. Ginger can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort. Some women have reported extra menstrual bleeding while taking ginger.

Is Ginger good for the heart?

In theory, ginger helps reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers concluded that ginger may be useful as a cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory blood thinner. The University of Maryland Medical Center cites a number of studies that suggest ginger may lower cholesterol and prevent blood from clotting.

Is Ginger bad for fever?

Ginger. Another way to treat a low fever is to use ginger. Ginger's antibacterial properties make it effective against fever, cough, and other common symptoms. Look for ginger-based tea in the grocery store or make your own cup at home using sliced ginger root.

When should I drink ginger tea for weight loss?

Add 1 teaspoon of mixture in a cup of hot water and mix well. Your lemon ginger tea for weight loss is ready! You may drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and sip one post lunch. But, make sure to combine it with exercises and a healthy diet.

How often should you drink ginger?

Dosage: Drink a brew made with a 1-inch chunk of ginger three to four times a day for as long as symptoms last. If you're taking it for nausea, you may feel relief within a few hours. For muscle soreness, drink regularly over multiple days to feel the effects.

How many cups of ginger tea should I drink a day?

Side effects, real and rumored. Ginger tea doesn't seem to have serious side effects. For one thing, it would be difficult to drink enough of the tea to expose yourself to anything irritating or harmful. In general, you don't want to consume more than 4 grams of ginger a day — that's quite a few cups!

How much ginger is safe?

Doctors recommend consuming a maximum of 3–4 grams of ginger extract per day. If you're pregnant, don't consume more than 1 gram of ginger extract per day.

How does ginger help burn fat?

Still, these studies have suggested that consuming ginger can enhance calorie burn and reduce feelings of hunger, and that it's associated with weight loss in overweight adults. It's also been linked to positive changes in cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammatory proteins and liver health.

Does ginger and lemon burn belly fat?

Ginger and lemon when consumed together can give your metabolism a great boost. Lemon juice and ginger both act as an appetite suppressant, which stops you from unnecessary binging and thus help you lose weight.

Clinical Studies

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