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"Ginger - A Popular Folk Remedy That Is Still Useful Today!"Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is the name of the plant that has been used medicinally for thousands of years in Asian, Arabic, and Indian cultures. In China, it has seen widespread use as a treatment for diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea. It is also valued world-wide as a cooking spice and is believed to be a useful treatment for the common cold. In the 16th century, the Spaniards introduced it to the Americas. In Europe, it became so popular that Great Britain imported over five million pounds of it. It is considered to be an adaptogenic herb. That means it is a herb that helps you adapt to stress. Researchers discovered that extracted amniotic cells, which are cells normally found in the membrane surrounding the fetus, grew larger when immersed in Ginseng solution. This was because they lived longer in this solution than they normally would in a fetal environment. Nausea Treatment It has been found useful as a treatment for postoperative nausea in women undergoing gynecologic surgery. In one study, 60 women, who, before undergoing gynecologic surgery, were divided into three groups and given either one gram of powdered Ginger root, 10 milligrams of the prescription medicine Metoclopramide, or placebo. Postoperative nausea in the 24 hours following surgery occurred in 28 percent of those women taking the herbal remedy, compared to 30 percent of those taking the prescription medicine, and 51 percent in the group taking placebo. Conversely, other studies have not shown this herb to be of any benefit as a postoperative pain reliever. It has also been considered as a treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis. One three year study of 56 individuals taking a powdered form of this herb, found around 75 percent of those taking it received relief from their arthritic condition. In another study of 261 individuals with Osteoarthritis of the knee who were given this herb twice daily, they experienced less pain and required fewer pain medications than those given a placebo. Other Uses It is beneficial in controlling cholesterol levels. In one seven-day study done in India, individuals consuming five grams of Ginger reversed elevated triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. Prior to the start of the study, they deliberately added 100 grams of butter to their daily diets, thereby causing an elevation of their triglyceride and cholesterol levels. There is a chemical in it called Zingibain. This chemical has been found to dissolve parasites and their eggs. In the laboratory, Ginger extract, in solution, was able to kill the anisakis worm, a parasite sometimes found in raw fish. It was able to do this within a 16-hour period. This is about the same length of time the parasite would need to establish itself in the intestinal tract after one had consumed contaminated fish. It is also useful as a treatment for Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease common among tourists returning to the United States. Animal studies have found that two chemicals, shogaol and gingerol, found in this herb, function as viable cough suppressants. Researchers at Cornell University Medical College have determined it may prove useful in preventing strokes and atherosclerosis. Motion Sickness Another study of 36 individuals tested their abilities to avoid developing Motion Sickness while sitting for six minutes in a spinning, computer-powered chair. One group was given 940 milligrams of this herb beforehand, another group was given the over-the-counter medicine Dramamine, and the last group was given placebo. None of the placebo or Dramamine group could last the entire six minutes. Many had to stop and vomit. Half of those taking the herbal remedy were able to last all six minutes. They actually endured the rotation 57 percent longer than the Dramamine group. Six studies of this herb's usefulness in preventing motion sickness have been done. Four European studies gave positive results, while the two American studies gave negative results. Dosage Dosages of this herb may vary ranging from 500 milligrams to as high as four grams, depending upon the severity of the condition. Contraindications It should not be taken with blood thinners such as Coumadin. Subscribe to the Home Remedies Blog by clicking on this link:  Return From Ginger to Home Page
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