Easy Ways to Use Ginger for Headaches, Flu and Other Ailments
Ginger can be used to help arthritis, diarrhea, flu, headache, heart and menstrual problems, diabetes, and probably the most well-known, stomach upset and motion sickness.
Ginger has a wonderful taste and aroma and has been used for thousands of years, both for flavoring food and for medicinal purposes. This common cooking spice adds flavor to many dishes, but it can also help with many illnesses and ailments.
What Exactly is Ginger?
Ginger, also called ginger root, comes from the stem of a plant that grows to about a foot tall in tropical climates. But it's the underground part of the plant, called the rhizome, the thick, knotty stem which is used in cooking and healing.
You can purchase ginger as raw, powdered, crystallized, in extracts, tinctures, capsules, tea, and in oil form.
How to Take Ginger
Most doctors base herbal dosages for adults on a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Suggested standardized dose is 75 to 2,000 milligrams, divided throughout the day. Herbs should be taken with care, just like other remedies. Because herbs can interact with medications and cause side effects, it's a good idea to check with your health care provider or pharmacist for any concerns.
A recent study of ginger for osteoarthritis of the knee was conducted at the University of Miami in Florida. A highly purified and standardized ginger extract had an impressive effect on reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. A group of 261 people received a ginger extract twice daily and experienced less pain. According to researchers Dr. Altman and Dr. Marcussen, participants required less pain medications compared to those taking a placebo. Other studies with ginger show promising results for heart patients and diabetes as well.
So the next time your tummy is upset or your head hurts, you might consider reaching for your spice rack instead of the medicine cabinet.
Ginger can be used to help arthritis, diarrhea, flu, headache, heart and menstrual problems, diabetes, and probably the most well-known, stomach upset and motion sickness.
Ginger has a wonderful taste and aroma and has been used for thousands of years, both for flavoring food and for medicinal purposes. This common cooking spice adds flavor to many dishes, but it can also help with many illnesses and ailments.
What Exactly is Ginger?
Ginger, also called ginger root, comes from the stem of a plant that grows to about a foot tall in tropical climates. But it's the underground part of the plant, called the rhizome, the thick, knotty stem which is used in cooking and healing.
You can purchase ginger as raw, powdered, crystallized, in extracts, tinctures, capsules, tea, and in oil form.
How to Take Ginger
Most doctors base herbal dosages for adults on a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Suggested standardized dose is 75 to 2,000 milligrams, divided throughout the day. Herbs should be taken with care, just like other remedies. Because herbs can interact with medications and cause side effects, it's a good idea to check with your health care provider or pharmacist for any concerns.
- For upset stomach, indigestion and gas: fresh root: 2 to 4 grams daily, powdered: 0.25 to 1.0 gram (start small, 1/4 tsp to 4 oz. water, warm or cold), liquid extract: 30 to 90 drops, 500 milligram capsules: 2 to 8 (adjust for potency) or sip some ginger ale.
- Ginger can also be used to prevent vomiting. You might try taking it every four hours as needed. Chewing on a 1/4 oz piece of fresh ginger sometimes helps too.
- Motion sickness. Try the same amount for upset stomach, but use before travel.
- Ginger has been used for years to relieve arthritis pain: Again, 2 to 4 grams daily. Ginger oil (available in health food stores) and fresh ginger may also be rubbed into a painful joint. A warm poultice can be made with fresh or powdered ginger. Mix enough ginger (several tablespoons) with very hot water to make a paste, spread on a gauze and allow it to soak in. Apply, ginger side to skin, to painful areas for a few minutes.
- For cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, headache two tablespoons fresh ginger in hot water several times a day. Commercial ginger tea works well too. Some people find relief from inhaling a few drops of ginger oil or fresh ginger in steaming water.
- For children, it's recommended that ginger not be used by children under two years of age. Of course, check with your doctor before giving any medicine or herbal remedy to your kids. If approved, a standard dosage guide is based on weight. So if your child weighs 50 pounds (20 to 25 kg), the appropriate dose of ginger would be 1/3 of the typical adult dosage.
- For diabetes, some doctors suggest drinking ginger in water first thing in the morning to help regulate glucose.
A recent study of ginger for osteoarthritis of the knee was conducted at the University of Miami in Florida. A highly purified and standardized ginger extract had an impressive effect on reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. A group of 261 people received a ginger extract twice daily and experienced less pain. According to researchers Dr. Altman and Dr. Marcussen, participants required less pain medications compared to those taking a placebo. Other studies with ginger show promising results for heart patients and diabetes as well.
So the next time your tummy is upset or your head hurts, you might consider reaching for your spice rack instead of the medicine cabinet.
