Known as the ‘universal medicine’ in Ayurveda, ginger has been indispensable to Indian and Chinese medicine, and cuisine, since antiquity and it was one of the earliest spices to reach the West. An old Indian proverb says 'every good quality is contained in ginger' and it still remains one of the most popular herbs of our time. A close relative of turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginger has been widely studied with positive results for a variety of issues making it one of the more accepted herbs in Western medicine.
There are many studies, including observational studies, randomised controlled trials as well as multiple systematic reviews, including a Cochrane review, that suggest that ginger powder or extract may be safe and effective in treating the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy which rank high among the most common complaints during the early weeks of pregnancy. Regarding its use in gynaecology reproductive health guru Ruth Trickey says the warming properties of ginger make it useful for period pain that is improved by the application of heat or warm drinks. She says ginger is also useful for the many women who experience nausea and vomiting with their period. Ginger can aggravate the hot flushing of menopause so Trickey recommends its use for premenstrual and menstrual migraines but not when these occur around menopause. Ginger has also displayed significant efficacy controlling chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in experimental groups.
Trickey says ginger is an important herb in the first stage of acute infectious illness where it is traditionally used in conjunction with other herbs to facilitate a sweat. “The outcome of using ginger is to cause a lowering of the temperature, an effect similar to that of aspirin. It is possible that the observed benefits are also related to an anti-infective effect, as some components are known to have activity against the rhinoviruses which are implicated in the common cold.
References
HEC monograph
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