Ginger root health benefits
Ginger has a long tradition
of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress and
reducing intestinal gas. It can also be as effective as over the counter drugs for the
control of nausea in pregnant women. It is also highly effective as a
painkiller / anti inflammatory and demonstrates real benefits for osteoarthritis
sufferers. it may also be useful in the prevention of the development of cancer cells.
Ginger is used to treat:
Dyspepsia
Flatulence
Chillblains
Cramps
Nausea including morning sickness
As a stimulant for circulatory activity
Osteoarthritis
As a gargle for sore throats
Topically as the base for many fibrositis and muscle sprain treatments
Side effects and contraindications:
Few side effects are linked to ginger when it is taken in small doses.
Side effects most often reported are gas, bloating, heartburn, and
nausea. These effects are most often associated with powdered ginger.
Because ginger can interfere with blood
clotting, it should be used cautiously in patients on anticoagulant therapies
such as coumadin or heparin. Ginger may reduce the toxic effects of the
chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide.
Although ginger is very effective for nausea
and morning sickness and is used to reduce the effects of several
chemotherapeutic agents, the use of high strength ginger capsules or tincture is
not recommended for pregnancy. Ginger is also contraindicated in patients with
biliary disease because of its tendency to cause bile release from the
gallbladder.
Active compounds:
The
active ingredients in ginger root include volatile oils and pungent phenol
compounds known as gingerols, sesquiterpenoids, and shogaols. It has strong
antioxidant properties. ginger reduces
inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis, specifically
cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. These effects make ginger comparable to
those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications without the side effectss.
Ginger also suppresses the immune system's production of proinflammatory
cytokines and chemokines, reducing disease severity in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis.
Adult tincture dosage:
Based on a 1:3 ratio tincture 1.5ml to 3ml three times a day. Very high strength extract (1:1) should be taken in proportionally lower doses.
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