Ginger - Zingiber officinale

Ginger, Zingiber officinale, is one of the most widely used plant medicines. It is native to Southeast Asia and is a spice made from the roots of the plant that has many medically active compounds. It has been used traditionally as an antiemetic, digestive stimulant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune stimulating. It may help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. It is widely used for colds and flu.

It contains Gingerol, which is a natural intestinal motility stimulant. I keep a jar of crystalized ginger in my refrigerator to nibble on when digestive complaints arise. I also use ginger-honey tea. Studies have shown that ginger is safe to use during pregnancy and that is an important finding for women who experience morning sickness.¹

Studies have shown that eating ginger or using it topically can help alleviate pain and inflammation from premenstrual syndrome, over exercise, joint osteoarthritis, and migraine headaches.²

Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) - PMC

Suggested Dosing: Tincture 5-15 drops 2x day.

Possible side effects: GERD, gastrointestinal upset. Interactions with blood thinners, and diabetes medications. Consult your physician.

Contraindications: Cyclophosphamides, tacrolimus, metronidazole. There are numerous potential drug interactions with ginger so consult your pharmacist before using.

¹Lete I, Allué J. The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integr Med Insights. 2016 Mar 31;11:11-7. doi: 10.4137/IMI.S36273. PMID: 27053918; PMCID: PMC4818021.

²Rondanelli M, Fossari F, Vecchio V, Gasparri C, Peroni G, Spadaccini D, Riva A, Petrangolini G, Iannello G, Nichetti M, Infantino V, Perna S. Clinical trials on pain lowering effect of ginger: A narrative review. Phytother Res. 2020 Nov;34(11):2843-2856. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6730. Epub 2020 May 20. PMID: 32436242; PMCID: PMC7754412.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.

Ginger - Zingiber officinale

1Lete I, Allué J. The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integr Med Insights. 2016 Mar 31;11:11-7. doi: 10.4137/IMI.S36273. PMID: 27053918; PMCID: PMC4818021.

¹Lete I, Allué J. The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integr Med Insights. 2016 Mar 31;11:11-7. doi: 10.4137/IMI.S36273. PMID: 27053918; PMCID: PMC4818021.