Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Ginger’s anti-nausea effect may prevent morning sickness, but traditionally the herb has a long history as a menstruation promoter. Might it cause miscarriage? In large doses it might, so pregnant women with a history of miscarriage should not use it. One study suggests that ginger’s effects depend on the amount used. In the study published in Lancet, less than I gram was used to prevent nausea. To trigger menstruation, Chinese physicians recommend 20 to 28 grams.

A strong cup of ginger tea contains about 250 milligrams of the herb. A heavily spiced ginger dish contains about 500 milligrams. And an 8-ounce glass of ginger ale contains approximately 1,000 milligrams-none of which come close to the amount that promotes menstruation.

There have been no reports in the scientific literature of ginger triggering abortion or causing birth defects.

Pregnant women with no history of miscarriage should feel free to try modest amounts of ginger tea or ginger ale to treat morning sickness.

Though ginger generally relieves indigestion, some people who take it to prevent motion sickness report heartburn.

Ginger is on the Food and Drug Administration’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe. For otherwise healthy adults, ginger is safe in amounts typically recommended.

Ginger should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your physician. If ginger causes minor discomforts, such as heartburn, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.

Grows in Warm Climates

Ginger is a tropical perennial that grows from a tuberous root. Each year the plant produces a round, 3-foot stem with thin, pointed, o-inch. lance-shaped leaves and a single, large yellow and purple flower.

Ginger grows outdoors in Hawaii, Florida, southern California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. It does best when well watered in partial shade in raised beds deeply cultivated with composted manure and kelp.

Ginger is propagated from young fresh roots, which contain eyes similar to those in potatoes. The ginger root sold in most supermarkets-with tough, tan skin-is neither young nor fresh, so its propagation potential is low. The best place to obtain growable ginger root is at an Asian specialty market. though some nurseries carry it. Look for gingerroot with light green skin.

Plant the roots about 3 inches deep and 12 inches apart. After 12 months, uproot the plant. harvest some roots, and replant the rest.

Ginger may also be grown indoors in deep pots with a soil mixture of loam, sand, compost, and peat moss. Indoors it needs warmth, plenty of water, and high humidity. A greenhouse environment is best.

Break out the gingerbread and ginger ale. Science has lent support to some of ginger’s traditional uses-and discovered several more.

Motion Sickness and Morning Sickness - The ancient Chinese sailors who used ginger to prevent seasickness were probably right. Ginger’s anti-nausea action relieves motion sickness and dizziness (vertigo) better than the standard drug treatment, Dramamine, according to one study published in the British medical journal Lancet. In this experiment, 36 volunteers with a history of motion sickness took either 100 milligrams of Dramamine or 940 milligrams of ginger powder. Then they were seated in a computerized rocking chair programmed to trigger seasickness. People were free to stop the chair whenever they began to feel nauseated. Those taking ginger lasted 57 percent longer than those on Dramamine. In addition to motion sickness, the researchers recommended ginger capsules, ginger tea, or ginger ale for the morning sickness of pregnancy. Some doctors now recommend it for nausea associated with chemotherapy.

Digestive Aid - Ginger appears to relieve indigestion and abdominal cramping by soothing the gastrointestinal tract, making it an antispasmodic. Ginger also has anti-nausea action, and it contains some substances similar to the digestive enzymes that break down proteins.

Women’s Health - Antispasmodics soothe not only the digestive tract but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well. Ginger may help ease menstrual cramps.

Colds and Flu - Chinese studies show ginger helps kill influenza virus, and an Indian report shows it increases the immune system’s ability to fight infection. These findings lend some support to ginger’s traditional uses for colds, flu, and other infectious diseases.

Arthritis - Studies have identified anti-inflammatory substances in the herb, lending support to the traditional use of ginger for treating arthritis.

Heart Disease and Stroke - Few people in the ancient world lived long enough - or ate a diet high enough in fat to develop heart disease or stroke, but today these diseases account for half of U.S. deaths. Ginger may help prevent them by controlling several key risk factors.

Ginger helps reduce cholesterol, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It also helps lower blood pressure and prevent the internal blood clots that trigger heart attacks and some strokes.
Intriguing Possibility - One animal study shows that ginger shrinks liver tumors in experimental animals. While animal studies do not necessarily apply to humans, ginger may someday find a role in the treatment of cancer in humans.

Rx for Ginger

In food, season to taste for warm, spicy, aromatic dishes.

For motion sickness, the recommended dose is 1,500 milligrams approximately 30 minutes before travel. Commercial ginger capsules are usually most convenient, but a l z-ounce glass of ginger ale also provides the recommended amount (provided it actually contains ginger and not artificial flavor).

Use ginger tea as a digestive aid; to help treat colds and flu, nausea, morning sickness, or arthritis; or to help prevent heart disease and stroke. To make ginger tea, use 2 teaspoons of powdered or grated root per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes.

Weak ginger preparations may be given to children under age 2 for colic.

Put a Stop to Motion Sickness

Family: Zingiberaceae; (includes Turmeric, Cardamom)

Genus and Species: Zingiber Officinate

Also known as: Jamaican Ginger, African Ginger, Cochin (Asian) Ginger

Parts used: Roots

An old Indian proverb says, “Every good quality is contained in ginger.” That’s not much of an exaggeration. Fleshy and aromatic, gingerroot has been used in cooking and Healing since the dawn of history. Modern science has supported some of its traditional medicinal uses including its helpfulness in preventing motion sickness-and discovered several more.

Herb of the Gods

Ancient Indians used their native ginger in cooking, to pre-: serve food and to treat digestive problems. They also considered it a physical and spiritual cleanser. Indians shunned strong-smelling garlic and onion before religious celebrations for fear of offending their deities, but they ate lots of ginger because it left them smelling sweet and therefore presentable to the gods.

Ginger appeared prominently in China’s first great herbal, the Pen Tsao Ching (Classic of Herbs), compiled by legendary emperor/sage Shen Nung around 3000 B.C. As the story goes, this wise herbalist tested hundreds of medicinal herbs on himself-until he took a little too much of a poisonous herb and died. Shen Nung recommended ginger for colds, fever, chills, tetanus, and leprosy. The Pen Tsao Ching also echoed Indian practice, saying fresh ginger “eliminates body odor and puts a person in touch with the spiritual [realm].”

As time passed, Chinese sailors began chewing ginger to prevent seasickness, and Chinese physicians prescribed it to treat arthritis and kidney problems.

Chinese women still drink ginger tea for menstrual cramps, morning sickness, and other gynecological problems.

The Chinese also consider ginger an antidote to shellfish poisoning, which is why Chinese fish and seafood dishes are often seasoned with the herb.

Gingerbread and Ginger Ale

The ancient Greeks adopted ginger as a digestive aid. After big meals, they ate ginger wrapped in bread. Over time, the herb was incorporated into the bread, and this indigestion preventive evolved into gingerbread.

The Romans also used ginger as a digestive aid, but after the fall of Rome, it became scarce in Europe and quite costly.

Once renewed Asian trade made ginger more available, European demand proved almost insatiable. The ancient Greeks’ modest gingerbread cakes evolved into sugary gingerbread men and such elaborate confections as the witch’s gingerbread house in Hansel and Gretel. In England and her American colonies, ginger was incorporated into a stomachsoothing drink, ginger beer, forerunner of today’s ginger ale, which is still a popular home remedy for diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

America’s 19th-century Eclectics prescribed ginger powder, tea, wine, and beer for infant diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, dysentery, flatulence, fever, headache, toothache, and “female hysteria” (menstrual complaints).

Contemporary herbalists recommend ginger for colds, flu, and motion sickness, and as a digestive aid and menstruation promoter.