Silverm00n
04-06-2006, 12:30 PM
Simple Pantry Solutions: Ginger
by Laurie LaRusso, MS, ELS (http://www.wiccanwisdom.com/forum/getcontent.aspx?cid=14072)
Sometimes all the medicine we need is right there in the kitchen or pantry. From cooking and cleaning to fighting infection, the kitchen has something that can help.
The Medicine in Ginger
Ginger tea, gingerbread... The list of tasty ginger favorites is endless, but in addition to spicing up your cooking, ginger may help when you're not feeling so well. Although ginger has a long history as a home remedy, researchers have yet to identify its active ingredients and determine exactly how it works.
Healthy Uses for Ginger
Medical research suggests that ginger may help relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness, pregnancy, and surgery. Ginger is approved by Germany's Commission E—a governmental agency that evaluates the safety and efficacy of medicinal herbs—for the treatment of indigestion and motion sickness.
Additionally, some herbalists prescribe ginger to relieve cold and flu symptoms, migraine headaches, the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, sore throat, minor burns, cramping, and bloating. At this time, there is little scientific evidence to support these uses of ginger, but that should not be taken to mean there is conclusive evidence refuting ginger's effectiveness. It is not unusual for research on herbs to yield contradictory results, due in part to the fact that herbs are available in such a wide range of formulations, purities, and concentrations.
How Much and What Kind to Take
Ginger can be taken in the following forms:
Fresh ginger root chopped or sliced (often used in cooking or served raw with sushi)
Ginger tea
Dried, powdered ginger root or fresh ginger root combined with boiled water (a decoction or infusion)
Tincture (an alcoholic extraction of the herb)
Capsules
To prevent motion sickness it is probably best to take one gram two to four times per day in capsule form before embarking and continuing every day while away.
Precautions when Using Ginger Medicinally
Ginger is a common cooking spice that is unlikely to cause any ill effects. However, for pregnant and nursing women, young children, and people with liver and kidney disease, the safety of taking ginger medicinally has not yet been established. In addition, ginger can reduce the ability of blood to clot. If you are pregnant, undergoing surgery, taking blood-thinning medication, or have a chronic illness, ginger obtained through food is considered safe. However, talk to your doctor before taking ginger medicinally.
Resources:
The Alternative Medicine Foundation
http://www.amfoundation.org
U.S. National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov
U.S. National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov (http://www.nlm.nih.gov)
Sources:
The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines, 1999.
Complementary Therapies: Natural Health Encyclopedia, 2001.
Last reviewed June 2004 by Richard Glickman-Simon, MD (http://www.wiccanwisdom.com/forum/getcontent.aspx?cid=14072)
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2006 (http://www.epnet.com/uploads/thisTopic-dbTopic-473.pdf) - EBSCO Publishing (http://www.epnet.com/) All rights reserved.
by Laurie LaRusso, MS, ELS (http://www.wiccanwisdom.com/forum/getcontent.aspx?cid=14072)
Sometimes all the medicine we need is right there in the kitchen or pantry. From cooking and cleaning to fighting infection, the kitchen has something that can help.
The Medicine in Ginger
Ginger tea, gingerbread... The list of tasty ginger favorites is endless, but in addition to spicing up your cooking, ginger may help when you're not feeling so well. Although ginger has a long history as a home remedy, researchers have yet to identify its active ingredients and determine exactly how it works.
Healthy Uses for Ginger
Medical research suggests that ginger may help relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness, pregnancy, and surgery. Ginger is approved by Germany's Commission E—a governmental agency that evaluates the safety and efficacy of medicinal herbs—for the treatment of indigestion and motion sickness.
Additionally, some herbalists prescribe ginger to relieve cold and flu symptoms, migraine headaches, the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, sore throat, minor burns, cramping, and bloating. At this time, there is little scientific evidence to support these uses of ginger, but that should not be taken to mean there is conclusive evidence refuting ginger's effectiveness. It is not unusual for research on herbs to yield contradictory results, due in part to the fact that herbs are available in such a wide range of formulations, purities, and concentrations.
How Much and What Kind to Take
Ginger can be taken in the following forms:
Fresh ginger root chopped or sliced (often used in cooking or served raw with sushi)
Ginger tea
Dried, powdered ginger root or fresh ginger root combined with boiled water (a decoction or infusion)
Tincture (an alcoholic extraction of the herb)
Capsules
To prevent motion sickness it is probably best to take one gram two to four times per day in capsule form before embarking and continuing every day while away.
Precautions when Using Ginger Medicinally
Ginger is a common cooking spice that is unlikely to cause any ill effects. However, for pregnant and nursing women, young children, and people with liver and kidney disease, the safety of taking ginger medicinally has not yet been established. In addition, ginger can reduce the ability of blood to clot. If you are pregnant, undergoing surgery, taking blood-thinning medication, or have a chronic illness, ginger obtained through food is considered safe. However, talk to your doctor before taking ginger medicinally.
Resources:
The Alternative Medicine Foundation
http://www.amfoundation.org
U.S. National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov
U.S. National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov (http://www.nlm.nih.gov)
Sources:
The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines, 1999.
Complementary Therapies: Natural Health Encyclopedia, 2001.
Last reviewed June 2004 by Richard Glickman-Simon, MD (http://www.wiccanwisdom.com/forum/getcontent.aspx?cid=14072)
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2006 (http://www.epnet.com/uploads/thisTopic-dbTopic-473.pdf) - EBSCO Publishing (http://www.epnet.com/) All rights reserved.