Ginger and Its Role in Managing Nausea

Introduction

Ginger is the stem of the Zingiber officinale plant, commonly found in India and South East Asia. This flavourful spice has been used as a medicine and in many culinary applications for hundreds of years. Ginger is usually recommended for stomach problems like nausea because of its good effects on the stomach.

Will Ginger Help in Reducing Nausea?

Yes, ginger can help reduce nausea and vomiting and soothe an upset stomach. Studies revealed that ginger is as effective as anti-nausea medications and also has fewer side effects than them.

What Are the Common Causes of Nausea?

• Pregnancy - During the first trimester of pregnancy, most women experience sensations of nausea and vomiting.

  • Studies have found that ginger intake during the first and second trimesters is more effective than a placebo for reducing morning sickness in pregnant women.

  • In women around 13 weeks of gestation, the intake of around 1000 mg of encapsulated ginger, reduced nausea and vomiting significantly more than the placebo.

  • Studies also found that an intake of around 1 gram of ginger daily is safe for managing nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

  • According to another study, the amount means either 5 grams (one teaspoon) of freshly grated ginger, 2 milliliters (half teaspoon) of liquid extract, 950 ml (4 cups) of tea, 10 ml (two teaspoons) of syrup, or 2.5 centimeters of crystallized ginger.

• Gastrointestinal Diseases - Dividing 1500 mg of ginger and taking it in small doses daily, can reduce nausea in certain gastrointestinal disorders. Ginger reduces intestinal cramps, prevents indigestion and bloating, helps increase stomach emptying, and decreases the pressure of the digestive tract. All these mechanisms will help ease nausea. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes changes in bowel habits, have found immense relief with ginger intake. Studies have found that one gram of ginger intake significantly reduced about 26 percent of IBS symptoms. Intake of ginger was also found to be effective in gastroenteritis (a condition where inflammation occurs in the stomach and intestines).

• Motion Sickness - It is a condition where a person feels sick during movements (real or perceived) while traveling in cars or boats. In some people, ginger significantly reduces motion sickness. It works by keeping the blood pressure consistent and digestive function stable. Studies done on people with motion sickness showed that taking one or two grams of ginger before performing a motion sickness test significantly reduced the electrical activity and nausea of the stomach, which commonly led to nausea. It was more effective than a drug commonly given for motion sickness. Recent studies, however, show that ginger's role in managing nausea in motion sickness is inconsistent or nonexistent.

• Chemotherapy-Related Postoperative Nausea - Around 75 percent of chemotherapy patients had nausea as a side effect. Studies showed that three days before chemotherapy, taking 0.5 to 1 gram of liquid ginger extract two times a day for six days significantly decreased nausea within the first twenty-four hours of chemotherapy. The powder of ginger root also reduced nausea and vomiting after the completion of chemotherapy. Studies showed that consistently taking one gram of ginger every day was more effective than a placebo in reducing postoperative nausea. Another study showed that women who took 500 mg of ginger one hour before gallbladder removal surgery had less postoperative nausea than women in the placebo group.

How Does Ginger Help in Reducing Nausea?

The main component of fresh ginger is gingerol, and the other component is shogaols which is responsible for the pungent taste of the root. Gingerol has many medicinal properties and is found more in raw ginger. Dried ginger has more concentration of shogaols, and 6-shogaol is the main source of its antioxidants. Research shows that ginger and its contents increase the responsiveness of the digestive system and speed up stomach emptying, reducing nausea. In addition, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, improves digestion, and releases hormones that regulate blood pressure to calm the body, thereby reducing nausea.

Is Ginger Intake Safe?

Research shows that ginger intake is safe and can be used for many conditions. However, there are certain conditions where ginger has to be avoided.

• Side effects like gas, diarrhea, heartburn, or stomach pain can be experienced after consuming ginger. However, this depends on individuals, the dosage, and their frequency of consumption.

• Studies show that pregnant women taking less than 1500 milligrams of ginger daily did not increase their risks of miscarriage, drowsiness, or heartburn. However, pregnant women are advised to avoid ginger supplements close to their due date, as ginger will likely worsen the bleeding.

• Because of the same reason, it is also considered unsafe for pregnant women with a history of clotting disorders or miscarriages.

• It is also not recommended for persons with underlying gallbladder disease, as taking large doses of ginger increases the body's bile flow.

It is always better to take guidance from a healthcare provider if a person is considering using ginger for medicinal purposes like nausea.

Which Are the Best Way to Use Ginger in Managing Nausea?

Ginger can be used in many ways. It can be taken fresh, dried, crystallized, candied, pickled, as a powder, or as an extract, tincture, beverage, or capsule. The food and drug administration recommends that taking around four grams of ginger daily is considered safe. Other studies recommend 200 to 2000 mg daily. The most common ways of ginger intake include:

• Tea - To reduce nausea, adding 950 ml (4 cups) of ginger tea is recommended. This can be done by adding grated fresh ginger in hot water and sipping this tea slowly. Do not drink fast as drinking fast can increase the nausea sensation.

• Essential Oils - Studies have shown that inhaling the essential oil of ginger tends to reduce postoperative nausea more than a placebo.

• Supplements - Ground ginger is often available in a solid encapsulated form. It is always essential to get the supplements tested to ensure they contain 100 percent ginger and no unwanted additives or fillers.

• Crystalized Ginger - Pregnant women have reported that intake of crystalized ginger has helped ease their morning sickness. However, crystallized ginger has a lot of added sugar content.

Conclusion

Ginger root has many medicinal benefits. One among them is the ability to ease nausea. This has been supported by science through the various studies done on ginger. Ginger eases nausea during pregnancy, surgery like gallbladder removal surgery, motion sickness, gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and gastroenteritis, and chemotherapy. There is no standard dose, but taking around 1000 to 1500mg in multiple doses is recommended. Speaking with the healthcare provider before taking ginger is always important to ease nausea.