A lot of people buy motion sickness pills to take while
traveling. What most people don’t know is that taking a
simple, inexpensive ginger capsule works just as well and
has some extra health benefits that motion sickness pills
don’t.

Known as the Sailor’s Secret, ginger pills have been used
for years by sailors, fishermen, and even flight attendants
to ward off an upset stomach.

Clinical trials suggest that ginger supplements can relieve
the nausea associated with motion sickness, chemotherapy,
the aftermath of surgery, and the first trimester of
pregnancy.

The American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory
in Salt Lake City has conducted a classic study on motion
sickness. By spinning motion sickness-prone students in two
groups-one group was given Dramamine, the other group ginger.
It was discovered that the group given the ginger was able to
withstand the full 6 minute “spin” with less nausea and
dizziness, while the other group stopped the ride within
4 1/2 minutes.

For over 5000 years ginger was revered as the “universal
medicine” by the ancient Orientals of China and India and
highly sought after by spice traders.

In Asian societies, ginger has always been known for its
healing powers. Japanese researchers believe the gingerols
found in ginger, may be responsible for blocking the body’s
reflex to vomit.

Denmark researchers have discovered that ginger can block the
effects of prostaglandins. These are substances that cause
inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, which leads
to migraines.

Ginger is considered a useful aid to digestion,
a good circulatory stimulant and has been shown to be effective
in helping to lower blood pressure and reduce blood clotting.
The main active ingredient is thought to be a compound called
gingerol, which helps to relax blood vessels and stimulate blood
flow. Ginger tea is a warming and soothing remedy for coughs and
colds, acting as an expectorant, loosening catarrh and phlegm.
In fact, it could be said to be a great all round revitalizing
health tonic.

Ginger is reputed to have qualities that may prevent heart attacks,
arthritis pain, aid digestion, prevent colds and flu, skin cancers
and aid weight loss.

The best example of ginger’s anti-inflammatory potential is
in the treatment of arthritis. “According to Paul
Schullick’s in ‘Ginger, Common Spice or Wonder Drug’, ”
trials in Denmark showed that more than three quarters of
those tested experienced relief in pain and swelling” Other
conditions associated with inflammation are asthma, painful
menstruation and migraines.

Many women claim that ginger tea helps rid them of menstrual
cramps. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can lessen
the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.

Respiratory infections - it is well known for its warming
action on the upper respiratory tract, so it has been used
to treat colds and flu.

It has been found to be effective in cramps caused by
stomach gas. Ginger also stimulates digestion.

It has a wholesome effect on the circulatory system as it
makes the platelets less sticky and is of great benefit in
case of circulatory disorders.

As a mood enhancer, ginger’s cineole content may help
contribute to stress relief.

It is a great mouth freshener and ginger tea has vastly
refreshing properties.

Ginger speeds up your metabolic rate and is an effective
aid to weight loss.

So there you have it. Instead of buying motion sickness pills
for your next trip, why not try inexpensive ginger pills
instead. They work just as well and give you a whole lot more
for your money.

CITATIONS

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’
Committee on Practice Bulletins. “Nausea and vomiting
during pregnancy,” Clinical Management Guidelines for
Obstetricians-Gynecologists, no. 52, April 2004

Smith, C, et al. “A randomized controlled trial of ginger
to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy,” Obstetrics and
Gynecology, April 2004, pp. 639-45

Revered in the Orient for its powerful healing qualities and its culinary uses, Ginger has been in use since ages. A perennial herb, ginger is a greenish yellow rhizome. The botanical name of the spice is Zingiber Officinale. Ginger is been used extensively in the Orient; its benefits covering a spectrum so wide, that it includes the medicinal, culinary as well as aromatherapy fields. A pungent and flavorful spice, ginger is one of the most widely used spices in the East.

Ginger is known to be beneficial to the body in a number of ways. Ginger can be used in its raw as well as dried form. Raw ginger is thermogenic, anti-flatulent, appetiser, digestive and a powerful laxative.

Dried ginger is thermogenic, appetizer, laxative, expectorant, stimulant and effective to cure stomach disorders. Dried and ground ginger is used to cure cold, cough, cholera, nausea ad vomiting, inflammations, diarrhea, colic, flatulence, anorexia, asthma and headaches.

Ginger has extensive uses in aromatherapy as well. Ginger yields an essential oil that is steam distilled from the unpeeled, dried and ground root. Ginger oil is used in combination with sandalwood, cedar wood and patchouli, which renders a woody-spicy scent to the mixture.

The uses of ginger as a digestive aid can be largely attributed to the presence of gingerols and shogaols, which help neutralise stomach acids, enhance the secretion of digestive juices and tone the muscles of the digestive tract.

The active ingredient in ginger is terpenes and an oleoresin, which is called ginger oil. These active agents are responsible for its antiseptic qualities, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating and mild constipation relief. Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver.

Other Ginger health benefits

• Ginger has been known to reduce inflammation of the joints and muscle tissue for people suffering from arthritis or rheumatism. • Ginger improves blood circulation, hence thought to improve the complexion too. It is also known to have reduced nervousness, ease tendonitis and relieve sore throats. • Ginger is an effective herbal remedy for all kinds of motion sickness and even morning sickness during pregnancy. A great way to get rid of the uneasy, queasy feeling in the stomach. • Scientists have found that ginger can block the effects of prostaglandin - a substance that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, which leads to migraine. • Many women believe that consuming ginger tea during periods helps minimize menstrual cramps. • Known for its warming action, ginger is an effective treatment in colds and flu. • An effective remedy for cramps caused by flatulence, ginger stimulates digestion. • Ginger is a mood enhancer, the Cineole present in ginger helps provide stress relief. • It is a great mouth freshener and ginger tea is known for its refreshing properties.