Re: Digestive Disturbances- Natural Remedies (Ginger)

[Guest guest]

As a follow up with more detailed information on Ginger that can be

used to help alleviate digestive problems, I have pasted below a

part of a peer-reviewed medical resource called Healthnotes. This

resource was the brainchild of one of the most respected alternative

medical doctors, Alan Gaby, MD. Gaby is a professor at the most

prestigious alternative medical college in the nation, Bastyr

University, so I feel very comfortable as to the accuracy and

reliability of this information.

So you feel completely comfortable with the accuracy, I am copying a

summary of a description of the publication. The Healthnotes

writing team is composed of experts in complementary and alternative

medicine from the fields of medicine, pharmacy, nursing,

naturopathy, public health, and chiropractic, overseen by our Chief

Medical Editor, Alan Gaby, MD. No other organization has a group

with so much combined expertise as practitioners and educators in

this emerging field. Crucial to the integrity of Healthnotes

information is the balance, objectivity, and discipline upon which

our writers insist. Combing through over 550 journals on a regular

basis, the team prides itself on being completely up-to-date in each

member's area of expertise.

Beth

GINGER

Botanical name: Zingiber officinale

HEALTH CONDITIONS

Motion sickness, Osteoarthritis, Epilepsy, Indigestion, Irritable

bowel syndrome, Morning sickness, Vertigo, Atherosclerosis, Hay

fever, low back pain, Migraine headaches, Rheumatoid arthritis

BOTANY

Ginger is a perennial plant that grows in India, China, Mexico, and

several other countries. The rhizome (underground stem) is used as

both a spice and in herbal medicine.

HISTORICAL or TRADITIONAL USE

Traditional Chinese Medicine has recommended ginger for over 2,500

years. It is used for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting,

diarrhea, and rheumatism. Ginger is commonly used in the Ayurvedic

and Tibb systems of medicine for the treatment of inflammatory joint

diseases, such as arthritis and rheumatism.

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS and PROPOSED MECHANISM of ACTION

The dried rhizome of ginger contains approximately 1–4% volatile

oils. These are the medically active constituents of ginger and are

also responsible for ginger's characteristic odor and taste. The

aromatic constituents include zingiberene and bisabolene, while the

pungent constituents are known as gingerols and shogaols.(1) The

pungent constituents are credited with the anti-nausea and anti-

vomiting effects of ginger.

In humans, ginger is thought to act directly on the gastrointestinal

system to reduce nausea.(2) Ginger has been shown to reduce the

symptoms of motion sickness associated with travel by boat and, to a

lesser extent, car.(3 4 5) Two double-blind clinical trials have

found that ginger may reduce nausea due to anesthesia following

surgery,(6 ))7 although one trial could not confirm this benefit.(8)

A preliminary trial has suggested ginger may be helpful for

preventing chemotherapy -induced nausea. (9)

While ginger is a popular remedy for nausea of pregnancy, it has

only been clinically studied for very severe nausea and vomiting

known as hyperemesis gravidarum.(10) This condition is life

threatening and should only be treated by a qualified healthcare

professional. Because ginger contains some compounds that cause

chromosomal mutation in vitro , some doctors are concerned about the

safety of using ginger during pregnancy. However, the available

clinical research, combined with the fact that ginger is widely used

in the diet of certain cultures, suggests that prudent use of ginger

for morning sickness is safe in amounts up to 1 gram per day.

Ginger is considered a tonic for the digestive tract, stimulating

digestion and toning the intestinal muscles.(11) This action eases

the transport of substances through the digestive tract, lessening

irritation to the intestinal walls.(12) Ginger may protect the

stomach from the damaging effect of alcohol and non-steroidal anti-

inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen) and may help prevent

ulcers.(13)

Ginger also supports cardiovascular health. Ginger may make blood

platelets less sticky and less likely to aggregate.(14 15) However,

not all human research has confirmed this.(16 17)

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE

For prevention or treatment of motion sickness, 500 mg of dried

ginger powder can be taken one-half to one hour before travel, and

then 500 mg every two to four hours as necessary. Children below the

age of six should use one-half the adult amount. For the treatment

of nausea associated with pregnancy, women can take up to 1 gram

daily,(18) but should only use ginger for symptomatic relief of

nausea and not on an ongoing basis. Ginger may potentially be used

for nausea associated with anesthesia or chemotherapy, but only

under the supervision of a physician.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Side effects due to ginger are rare when used as recommended.

However, some people sensitive to the taste may experience

heartburn. People with a history of gallstones should consult a

doctor before using ginger.(19) Short-term use of ginger for nausea

and vomiting during pregnancy appears to pose no safety problems.

However, long-term use during pregnancy is not recommended. A doctor

should be informed if ginger is used before surgery as the herb may

increase bleeding. Are there any drug interactions? Certain

medicines may interact with ginger. Refer to drug interactions for a

list of those medicines.

REFERENCES:

1. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of

Phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press,

1994, 39–42.

2. Holtmann S, e AH, Scherer H, Hohn M. The anti-motion

sickness mechanism of ginger. A comparative study with placebo and

dimenhydrinate. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1989;108:168–74.

3. Grontved A, Brask T, Kambskard J, Hentzer E. Ginger root against

seasickness. Acta Otolaryngol 1988;105:45–9.

4. Ribenfeld D, Borzone L. Randomized double-blind study comparing

ginger (Zintona®) with dimenhydrinate in motion sickness.

Healthnotes Rev Complementary Integrative Med 1999;6:98–101.

5. Careddu P. Motion sickness in children: Results of a double-blind

study with ginger (Zintona®) and dimenhydrinate. Healthnotes Rev

Complementary Integrative Med 1999;6:102–7.

6. Bone ME, Wilkinson DJ, Young JR, et al. Ginger root—a new

antiemetic: The effect of ginger root on postoperative nausea and

vomiting after major gynaecological surgery. Anaesthesia

1990;45:669–

71.

7. S, Ruggier R, Hutchingson SE. Zingiber officinale

(ginger)—an antiemetic for day case surgery. Anaesthesia

1993;48:715–

7.

8. Arfeen Z, Owen H, Plummer JL, et al. A double-blind randomized

controlled trial of ginger for the prevention of postoperative

nausea and vomiting. Anaesthesia 1995;23:449–52

9. Meyer K, Schwartz J, Craer D, Keyes B. Zingiber officinale

(ginger) used to prevent 8-Mop associated nausea. Dermatol Nursing

1995;7:242–4.

10. Langner E, Greifenberg S, Gruenwald J. Ginger: History and use.

Adv Ther 1998;15:25–44 [review].

11. Bradley PR (ed). British Herbal Compendium, vol 1. Bournemouth,

Dorset, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992, 112–4.

12. Yamahara J, Huang QR, Li YH, et al. Gastrointestinal motility

enhancing effect of ginger and its active constituents. Chem Pharm

Bull 1990;38:430–1.

13. al-Yahya MA, Rafatullah S, Mossa JS, et al. Gastroprotective

activity of ginger in albino rats. Am J Chinese Med 1989;17:51–6.

14. Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. Effect of ginger (Zingiber

officinale Rosc) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L) on blood

lipids, blood sugar, and platelet aggregation in patients with

coronary artery disease. Prostagland Leukotrienes Essential Fatty

Acids 1997;56:379–84.

15. Verma SK, Singh J, Khamesra R, Bordia A. Effect of ginger on

platelet aggregation in man. Indian J Med Res 1994;98:240–2.

16. Lumb AB. Effect of dried ginger on human platelet function.

Thromb Haemost 1994;7:110–1.

17. Janssen PL, Meyboom S, van Staveren WA, et al. Consumption of

ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) does not affect ex vivo platelet

thromboxane production in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr 1996;50:772–4.

18. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA:

Prima Publishing, 1996, 111–8.

19. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete

Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.

Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 135–6.

Copyright © 2004 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved.

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