Ginger originally came from China and India, where it has been used in cooking for more than 4,000 years. Because people liked its sharp and spicy flavor so much and found it to be warming and good for stomach pains, it was transplanted worldwide by explorers in warm, tropical places. Ginger root helps relieve the dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting that comes from motion sickness or seasickness. It can also ease sore throats, headaches, ulcerative colitis, some types of menstrual and arthritis pain, and fevers and aches caused by colds and flu. It may also help to relieve symptoms of depression.

Ginger rhizome is the knotted, thick, beige tuber you find at your local market. Because it grows underground, it is often called ginger root. Technically, a rhizome is part of a stem that just happens to be underground. The actual root sprawls out from knots on the rhizome. Above the ground are 12-inch long stems with long, narrow, ribbed, green leaves, and white or yellowish-green flowers.

Ginger products are made from fresh or dried ginger root or from steam distillation of the oil.

Once the rhizome is cut, the active chemicals in the plant, such as zingiberene, bisabolene, gingerol, and shogoal, begin to lose potency. Herbal product companies market ginger as extract, tinctures, capsules, or oils, in order to prevent the loss of these chemicals. Use products that clearly state on the label the amount of ginger you will be getting per dose.

You can also buy fresh ginger root and prepare your own tea by steeping half a handful sliced, or half a teaspoon grated, washed, and unpeeled tuber in hot water; or pour a pint of boiling water over an ounce of sliced rhizome. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes or so, and drink 2 cups of this a day. Another good source of ginger is crystallized ginger. Don't be fooled by the sugar coating; crystallized ginger delivers a sharp bite.

Pediatric

Children (under 2 years): ginger should not be used.

Children (2 years and older): ginger may be used in pediatric patients to treat nausea, digestive cramping, and headaches. Adjust the recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 to 25 kg), the appropriate dose of ginger for this child would be 1/3 of the adult dosage.

Adult

How you take it depends on personal preference and what ails you. In general, you should not take more than 2 to 4 g of ginger per day, in addition to the ginger you may already get from your diet (from items such as ginger ale, ginger snaps, gingerbread, or stir-fried foods). If you are using fresh ginger, make sure you weigh the piece so that you will know approximately how large a chunk equals 2 to 4 g.

• For nausea, gas, or indigestion, take 2 to 4 g of fresh root daily (0.25 to 1.0 g of powdered root) or 1.5 to 3.0 mL tincture daily. To prevent vomiting, take 1 g powdered ginger (1/2 tsp) or its equivalent every four hours as needed, or 2 ginger capsules (1 g) three times daily. You may also chew a ¼ oz piece of fresh ginger.

• For cold symptoms, fever associated with flu, sore throat, menstrual cramps, or headache, steep 2 tbsp of freshly shredded ginger in boiled water, two to three times daily, or place a drop of ginger oil or a few slices of fresh rhizome in steaming water and inhale.

• To relieve arthritis pain, take fresh ginger juice, extract, or tea, 2 to 4 g daily; rub ginger oil into painful joint; or place fresh root in a warm poultice or compress and apply to painful areas.

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) gives fresh ginger root a class 1 safety rating, so it is a safe herb with a wide dosage range. Still, it is always wise to follow recommended dosages. The AHPA gives dried ginger root a class 2b rating, advising that it not be used during pregnancy.

Some women do use ginger to calm symptoms of morning sickness, but this use of ginger is controversial. For safety, do not take more than normal dietary amounts. Ginger eaten as a normal part of the diet is not considered risky.

Do not use ginger if you have gallstones. While ginger use is normally not associated with side effects, too much ginger may cause mild heartburn.

No noteworthy interactions (positive or negative) between ginger and conventional medications are known to have been reported in the literature to date. Although ginger may interfere with blood clotting, there have been no reports of interactions between ginger and anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications). However, patients taking ginger while on anticoagulants should be monitored closely for signs of bleeding disorders.

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