Ginger root eases nausea and vomiting

Saturday, February 11, 2012 by: Donna Earnest Pravel
Tags: ginger root, nausea, vomiting

(NaturalNews) Ginger root is a favorite among herbalists, used in a variety of situations. The spicy root, or rhizome, of the ginger plant can either be eaten raw, powdered, made into tea, juiced, tinctured, or even candied. One of the most common uses for ginger root is for nausea and vomiting. Placebo-controlled, double-blind studies have proven that ginger root effectively reduces nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, surgery, and morning sickness during pregnancy. Because organic ginger root is completely safe to use during pregnancy, the herb is especially treasured by pregnant women around the world.

Ginger root is an effective antidote for motion sickness while at sea

A Danish study published in 1988 tested the effects of ginger root powder on 80 new Naval cadets who were out on the high seas in stormy weather for the first time. The sea-sick cadets were either given a placebo or 1 gram of ginger root powder, then measured every hour for symptoms of motion sickness for four hours. During this time, the control group of cadets experienced cold sweats, dizziness, and vomiting. The group of cadets who had taken ginger root powder had measurably fewer symptoms.

Ginger root has been demonstrated to reduce nausea and vomiting after surgery

Researchers in a London hospital tested ginger root as an anti-emetic, a "drug" that prevents nausea and vomiting. In a double-blind, placebo controlled study of 60 women who had just had major gynecological surgery, ginger root was compared to a placebo and the drug metoclopramide (Metosalv ODT by Salix or Reglan by UCB). Ginger root compared very similarly to this commonly prescribed anti-nausea drug in reducing nausea after surgery.

Pregnant women may safely take ginger root for morning sickness

The venerable medical journal Obstetrics and Gynecology published a 2001 study on the effectiveness of ginger for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Seventy pregnant of women who were less than 17 weeks pregnant were studied for five months to determine if ginger had any effect on morning sickness. They were given either 1 gram of ginger daily or a placebo. Both nausea and vomiting decreased significantly in the ginger group, while barely at all in the control group. No adverse outcomes were reported. The researchers concluded that ginger is safe and effective for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery reviewed safe alternatives for nausea and vomiting during morning sickness in pregnancy in 2002. The author noted that most pregnant women were reluctant to take any prescription drugs during pregnancy, but that these women did want to find relief from morning sickness. Ginger root was one of the alternatives noted as safe and effective.

Sources for this article include:

Pubmed.gov, "Ginger root against seasickness. A controlled trial on the open sea." A. Grontved, et al. Acta-otolarynologica January-February 1988; 105(1-2): 45-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3277342

Monthly Prescribing Reference.com, "Antiemetic Medications" http://www.empr.com/antiemetic-medications/article/125873/

Pubmed.gov, "Ginger root-- a new antiemetic. The effect of ginger root on postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynaecological surgery." M. E. Bone, et al. Anaesthesia August 1990; 45(8): 669-71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2205121

Pubmed.gov, "Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: safety and efficacy of self-administered complementary therapies." D. Tiran Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery November 2002; 8(4): 191-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12463608

Journals. Lippincott Williams and Lewis.com, "Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: Randomized-Double Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial," T. Vutyanovich, et al. Obstetrics and Gynecology April 2001; 97(4): 577-582.
http://journals.lww.com

About the author:
This article is provided courtesy of Donna Earnest Pravel, owner and senior copy editor of Heart of Texas Copywriting Solutions.com. Get free weekly tips on natural healing and herbs by visiting her blog, Bluebonnet Natural Healing Therapy.