Ginger’s soothing ways

Anyone who struggles with chronic nausea, whether due to motion sickness, morning sickness or chemotherapy, may find ginger useful. This herb has been used since ancient times to settle upset stomachs.

Uses: Ginger root is known to calm the stomach, possibly by increasing digestive fluids and bile secretion and neutralizing stomach acid. It’s been used for various causes of nausea, but the best evidence appears to be for pregnancy-related nausea. The root is used in many Chinese herbal remedies because it’s considered a catalyst that can boost the activity of other herbs.

Dose: A typical dose is 1,000 milligrams per day. For prevention of motion sickness, ginger is usually taken 30 minutes before travel. Besides capsules of powdered ginger, the fresh, grated root is used for nausea relief as are ginger teas and ginger ale.

Precautions: Ginger is generally regarded as safe when taken in recommended doses. Higher doses (such as 6,000 milligrams) might irritate the stomach.

Research: Some people think ginger might relieve arthritis, colds and migraines; however, the research on these uses is scant. Ginger also might help stimulate circulation, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent clotting.

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