VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS: GINGER

This article provides basic information about the herb ginger — uses, potential side effects and resources for more information. Ginger is a tropical plant that has green-purple flowers and an aromatic underground stem (called a rhizome). It is commonly used for cooking and medicinal purposes.

Common Names — ginger

Latin Name — Zingiber officinale

· Ginger is used in Asian medicine to treat stomach aches, nausea and diarrhea.

· Many digestive, antinausea, and cold and flu dietary supplements sold in the United States contain ginger extract as an ingredient.

· Ginger is used to alleviate postsurgery nausea as well as nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy and pregnancy.

· Ginger has been used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and joint and muscle pain.

How It Is Used

· The underground stems of the ginger plant are used in cooking, baking and for health purposes. Common forms of ginger include fresh or dried root, tablets, capsules, liquid extracts (tinctures) and teas.

What the Science Says

· Studies suggest that the short-term use of ginger can safely relieve pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

· Studies are mixed on whether ginger is effective for nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, or surgery.

· It is unclear whether ginger is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint and muscle pain.

· Investigators funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, are studying:

o Whether ginger interacts with drugs, such as those used to suppress the immune system.

o Ginger's effect on reducing nausea in patients on chemotherapy.

o The general safety and effectiveness of ginger's use for health purposes, as well as its active components and effects on inflammation.

Side Effects and Cautions

· 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.

· Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including ginger. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

Sources

1. Ginger. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed May 1, 2006.

2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed a May 1, 2006.

3. Ginger root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:153-159.

4. Ginger (Zingiber officinale). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:241-248.