Ginger as a Treatment for Travel Sickness and Nausea

Ginger is an excellent treatment for nausea.

Ginger is the stem, or underground root of the plant Zingiber officinale. It has been used in medicine in Chinese, Asian, Indian, and Arabic systems for thousands of years. This plant is native to Asia where it has been used in cooking for at least 4,400 years; ginger grows in fertile, tropical soil and likes plenty of moisture.

Most people are familiar with ginger as a flavouring in ginger biscuits, ginger ale and ginger bread, but the taste of the ginger itself is very different in this kind of confection. The ginger we have in our kitchens’ is often brown powdery stuff that we add to the mixture with everything else. However, stem ginger is very different in flavour and aroma.  The crystallised ginger that comes in jars is also quite far removed from the real thing. 

So, it is common for people to say that they do not like the taste of ginger because they have only been given hot ginger beer (or ale) and confectionary full of that brown, powdered ginger.  The ginger used as a treatment for nausea works best if it is the real thing but if you only have the powdered variety, that will work too, if not quite as well.

Image via Wikipedia

Several medical trials and tests have been carried out in US an UK, in an attempt to prove the benefits of ginger for all kinds of nausea, including post operative, post chemotherapy, motion sickness and morning sickness during pregnancy. Results have been inconclusive but many people swear by the efficacy of this remedy.

There are many ways of using ginger but the most beneficial is simply chewing crystallized ginger. This is pleasant and soon calms the stomach and is particularly good for children who may suffer from travel sickness. Keep some in the car.

Image via Wikipedia

Ground ginger or small pieces of root can be put in the bottom of a cup with a standard teabag and made into an effective drink by adding boiling water. This should be sipped slowly until the nauseous feeling subsides.

This root is not suitable for everyone and professional medical advice should be taken by anyone who is taking heart, diabetes, or blood thinning medications.

Image via Wikipedia

Pregnant women should avoid taking ginger in any form because it may cause contractions of the uterus. Caution is advised here and medical advice should be sought before trying it.