Natremed

The magic root...

The ginger rhizome has been utilised as both a culinary wonder and a fabulous medicine throughout history. There is mention of its use in the Koran, the Talmud and the Bible. In 13th and 14th Century England, ginger was highly valued and one pound of ginger was worth the same as a sheep. Today ginger in incorporated into our diets with such dishes as curry, stir fries and ginger tea. It can also be taken as a herbal tincture.

Preparation: 

To gain the full benefit of ginger from your diet you need to eat it regularly. Perhaps the easiest way to prepare ginger is in a ginger root tea. By simply adding 1tsp of chopped fresh ginger to a mug of hot water and whichever other flavourings you may desire (eg lemongrass, honey, lemon juice, peppermint, chamomile) you can drink ginger tea to your own desire.

Medicinal Uses:

Anti -Nausea

Ginger has demonstrated anti-emetic effects in both experimental and human trials ¹. It has proven efficacy with the nausea of pregnancy suggesting the need of 1-1.5g spread in divided doses throughout the day. The most recent review of six randomise controlled trials suggests ginger is far superior to placebo and equally as effective as vitamin B6 without significant side effects or adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Useful for the following conditions:
Morning sickness, nausea, vomiting, sea sickness, motion sickness, nausea from chemotherapy or radiation.

Circulatory stimulant

Ginger is such a warming herb with such pungency. It enhances circulation to the extremities and brings warmth to the body. The enhanced circulation to the periphery can allow for faster wound healing also.

Useful for the following conditions:
Cold hands and feet, chilblains, Raynaud’s disease, leg ulcers, cold cramping period pain that is better for hot application.

Anti-inflammatory

Ginger has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory mediators. Most of the research into the anti-inflammatory benefits of ginger has been in patients with osteoarthritis showing superiority over placebo and some showing equal effects with ibuprofen ². Ginger is also antispasmodic which makes it beneficial in spasm and cramping especially menstrual cramping.

Useful for the following conditions:
Muscle aches and pains, arthritis, swelling and redness, cramping pain

Digestive Stimulant

Ginger stimulates the flow of saliva, bile and gastric secretions which helps to normalise digestion and support healthy bowel function ³. This is one of the traditional uses of ginger and it is often combined with herbs that do similar things like Chamomile, Cinnamon, Fennel, Angelica and peppermint.

Useful for the following conditions:
Colic, flatulence, poor appetite, digestive cramping, bloating, reflux  and constipation

Recipe Ideas:

Ginger is a very warming food that combines well with other curries like chilli, tumeric, garlic cinnamon, coriander and fenne seeds. Ginger can be cooked well without losing its therapeutic benifits.

• Ginger Tea
• Vegetable Stir Fry with ginger and chilli

Cautions:

Ginger is generally considered undesirable for children under the age of 6 due to its very pungent nature. Ginger should also be used with caution in patients with gastric ulcers or reflux. Suspension of ginger supplementation is recommended 1 week before surgery.

Conclusion:

References:

1. Kawai T et al. Anti-emetic principles of magnolia obovate bark and Zingiber officinale rhizome. Planta med 1994, 60.1: 17-20.
2. Haighighi M et al. Comparing the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract and ibuprofen on patients with osteoarthritis. Arch Iranian Med. 8. 4 (2005) : 501-3.
3. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J (eds). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs, Austin, TX: Integrative Medicine Communications, 2000.
4. Braun L, Cohen M 2007, Herbs and Natural Supplements: an evidenced based guide, Elsevier, Australia.