Ginger: Effective Nausea Relief for Thousands of Years

Every once in a while, you find a natural remedy that has been used by so many people for so long that there is little doubt regarding its effectiveness. Perhaps the best example is using ginger for nausea.

Ginger is a naturally occurring plant which has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. It is primarily grown in Asia, though it is also grown in the Caribbean and Africa. It can be grown effectively in most subtropical climates. It has been used to treat nausea for at least 2,000 years. Most of us have probably been given ginger (in the form of ginger ale) for nausea at some point in our lives. Like most home remedies that are passed from generation to generation, there is a good reason why we continue to give our kids ginger ale for nausea-because it works.

While ginger has been used to treat nausea in traditional medicine and home remedies for many years, modern medical scientists have been slow to officially recognize its benefits. Some have suggested the nausea relief is actually a placebo effect. Recent peer reviewed studies, however, have shown that ginger has a considerably greater effect than a placebo on nausea related to:

  • Sea sickness
  • Morning sickness (during pregnancy)
  • Chemotherapy-induced nausea

The study did not consider all causes of nausea. Still, it’s reasonable to assume that ginger is likely more beneficial than a placebo for nausea induced by other causes such as motion sickness, upset stomach, and influenza.

Ginger can be taken in a wide variety of forms. Ginger root is readily available. In the right climate (subtropical), it can even be grown at home. Ground ginger root can be used as a seasoning in food. Other common forms of ginger include:

  • Ginger ale
  • Ginger lozenges
  • Ginger capsules

Unlike most medications, taking ginger doesn’t cause negative side effects. In fact, nutritionists, herbalists, and other proponents of traditional medicine suggest that it has a number of additional health benefits. These include:

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Reducing joint pain
  • Strengthening the immune system
  • Relieving diarrhea
  • Relieving colic (in babies)

Ginger can be taken instead of, or in tandem with, nausea medications. It is a natural substance and is not known to have any side effects or negative reactions with medications.