Ginger has been used as food flavoring and a medicine since early times. It is mentioned in the Bible, the Koran and the Talmud. It is known that the ancient Greeks, the Chinese and the ancient Egyptians all found this spice useful. It is a traditional ” warming” spice and stomach tonic. Ginger is an important medicine in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Ginger was once a very valuable spic,e a pound of ginger being worth the same as a sheep in the middle ages.
The Plant.
There are many varieties of ginger plant, some grown mainly for ornamental purposes and some for culinary purposes. The plants are native to tropical areas, where given the right growing conditions they can become pests. They have long strap like leaves that are green, variegated or red. Flowers are produced on spikes and may hang down or be small and compact. The varieties of the ginger (Zingiber) family are almost infinite. For the purposes of medicine the rhizome of Zingiber Officinale is used.
The rhizome is dug up to produce the ginger you see in the supermarket; either to be used fresh or dried and crushed. The important chemical components of the rhizome are the essential oil and the resin, known as the oleoresin. The exact chemical content varies with the region the plant was grown in and the exact variety but the sesquiterpenes (responsible for the aroma) remain constant. The drying process increases the concentration of some of these components.
Uses
Ginger is widely used for its antiemetic properties. It is particularly popular in pregnancy as it is safe, with no side effects or adverse outcomes reported. Pregnant women are encouraged to try ginger biscuits or drinks to combat nausea. Many studies have shown that this is effective for nausea and gastric discomfort, although results with the more serious hyperemesis gravidarum are less encouraging. It takes effect quickly, within half an hour, and the dose can be repeated as needed, every four hours. This appears to be a direct action on the digestive system.
The use of ginger for post operative nausea and vomiting is not as successful as for pregnancy nausea although trials have shown some promising results. The same applies to chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Travel sickness is another major area that ginger is used for. It has shown benefits for travel sickness and is commonly used by travelers in preference to drugs. Several over the counter preparations are sold specifically to treat nausea and vomiting, and the use of ginger biscuits and drinks is popular, especially for children.
Ginger is traditionally a warming spice and it is this action that is responsible or its anti-inflammatory activity. Doses of several grams a day of powdered root have been needed for a good effect in most studies. Ginger oil can be used in creams for direct application to sore joints and seems to have a good effect.
Ginger is an effective appetite stimulate, increasing the flow of saliva, bile and digestive juices to stimulate the appetite. It has been shown to be an effective antispasmodic for the digestive tract and can reduce bloating. This makes it useful in irritable bowel syndrome. There is suggestion that it could be the basis of a good treatment for gastric ulcers.
A daily dose of ginger in the form of a tea can reduce the incidence of migraine in some sufferers. To make ginger tea a couple of slices of fresh root are dropped into a cup and boiling water is added. Allow about five minutes steeping time (or to taste) and remove root. The brew can be sweetened if desired. This tea is used as a traditional medicine against colds and flu in Indonesia.
High doses (over ten grams) have been shown to cause anticoagulant effect in the blood. Ginger has several other properties that it is not commonly used for. It is antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, an antioxidant and an anxiolytic. Investigations continue into its use as a cholesterol-lowering agent.
Safety
Ginger is safe for most people to take. It is safe in pregnancy and in children. In children it easy to administer as commercial ginger ale or biscuits.
High doses of ginger will cause gastric irritation as it stimulates acid and bile production, this makes it less suitable for sufferers from ulcers and gallstones. Theoretically ginger should cause problems in patients taking warfarin but none have been reported, nevertheless patients taking anticoagulants should be aware of the possible problems with ginger, and patients having surgery should avoid high doses (over ten grams) for a week before surgery.
Taken daily ginger has been shown to interfere with the absorption of iron and fat-soluble vitamins. It is better used on an as required basis for nausea.
