Ginger: benefits, dosage, contraindications

Nausea and vomiting
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Ginger is known as "a digestive-tract herb highly effective in cases of motion sickness, nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy, nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy and postoperative. The WHO recognizes the use of ginger as "clinically justified" for the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness and seasickness, as well as those related to pregnancy. It recognizes its "traditional" use in the treatment of digestive disorders and loss of appetite. Finally, numerous studies have confirmed ginger's effect in reducing the frequency of vomiting and the intensity of nausea in pregnant women, in motion sickness, and in reducing the severity of acute nausea in chemotherapy. Clinical studies show that taking 500 mg of ginger twice a day, 30 minutes before each antiretroviral dose for 14 days, reduces the relative probability of nausea and vomiting compared with placebo in HIV-positive patients.

Posologie

Oral: root, rhizome

1 - 1.5 g

powder, standardized extract, dry extract, juice

Dysmenorrhea
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Ginger has been used orally to treat dysmenorrhea and appears to be effective based on available data. Because of its ability to inhibit thromboxane synthase and activate endorphin receptors, the use of ginger has been suggested in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Clinical research conducted in people aged at least 15 years shows that ginger may reduce menstrual pain. Clinical studies show that daily intake of 500 to 2000 mg of ginger powder, usually during the first 3 or 4 days of the menstrual cycle, modestly reduces pain intensity. However, a meta-analysis of clinical research shows that taking ginger does not appear to reduce the duration of pain compared to placebo. Taking a ginger extract 250 mg four times a day for 3 days at the start of the menstrual period or until pain relief improves symptoms similarly to ibuprofen or mefenamic acid. Likewise, taking a ginger extract at 200 mg four times a day for 3-4 days at the start of the pain is as effective as taking Novafen, a combination of acetaminophen, caffeine, and ibuprofen. Ginger also appears to improve pain when given in addition to anti-inflammatory agents. A small clinical study in young women with dysmenorrhea shows that adding 500 mg of ginger per day to 250 mg of mefenamic acid twice a day for 5 days further reduces pain compared to taking mefenamic acid alone.

Posologie

Oral: root, rhizome

500 - 2000 mg

4 - days

Women

powder

Rheumatism
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Ginger is described in Ayurvedic and traditional Arabic medical systems as being useful for inflammation and rheumatism. This traditional use is supported by modern studies demonstrating ginger's anti-inflammatory activity. Most clinical research shows that taking oral ginger extract improves pain in some patients with osteoarthritis. Indeed, meta-analyses show that daily intake of 500 to 1,000 mg of ginger extract for 3 to 12 weeks can slightly improve pain compared with placebo in some patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis. Similarly, 250 mg of ginger extract taken four times daily for 6 months was significantly more effective than placebo at reducing pain and disability in 29 patients with osteoarthritis in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. These studies are corroborated by an open retrospective study of 56 patients (28 with rheumatoid arthritis, 18 with osteoarthritis, 10 with muscle discomfort) that found more than three quarters of them experienced, to varying degrees, relief of pain and swelling following long-term use of powdered ginger. Studies comparing ginger to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) provide additional support. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 120 patients, 30 mg of an ethanolic ginger extract equivalent to 1 g of fresh ginger was found to be significantly more effective than placebo and as effective as 1.2 g of ibuprofen in the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis. Topical ginger, alone or in combination with other ingredients, has also been studied for knee osteoarthritis. Although a meta-analysis of two randomized clinical trials shows no evidence of benefit from topical ginger on pain and disability compared with placebo or standard treatment, some benefits were shown in individual preliminary studies. These trials used a specific ginger-containing gel, an ointment composed of ginger, cinnamon, mastic, and sesame oil applied twice daily for 6 weeks, or 1 gram of 5% ginger extract (standardized to 11.18% 6-gingerol) in a nanostructured lipid carrier three times daily for up to 12 weeks on the affected knee. Some studies used ginger essential oil in a massage oil, alone or with sweet orange essential oil or standard therapy, twice weekly for 3 or 6 weeks.

Posologie

Oral route: root, rhizome

500 - 1000 mg

12 weeks

powder, standardized extract, dry extract

Dyslipidemia
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A double-blind, controlled clinical trial in 85 volunteers with hyperlipidemia showed that treatment with ginger (3 g/day) produced a significant hypolipidemic effect compared with controls. Measurement of lipid concentrations before and after 45 days of treatment showed significantly greater mean changes in triglyceride and cholesterol levels for ginger compared with control, as well as a significant mean reduction in LDL levels and an increase in HDL levels compared with controls. This initial study shows promising results; however, further controlled human trials are necessary to demonstrate efficacy.

Posologie

Oral: root, rhizome

3 g

powder, standardized extract, dry extract, juice

Liver disorders
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Experimental models of alcohol-induced liver injury have shown that ginger has significant hepatoprotective effects comparable to those of silymarin. This effect appears to be mediated by an antioxidant mechanism. The use of a methanolic extract resulted in a reduction of inflammatory enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in rats. The ethanolic extract of ginger significantly increased levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and proteins, while reducing levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT), GGT and bilirubin, and markedly reduced necrosis and collagen deposition-related fibrosis. A small clinical study conducted in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease shows that taking 1500 mg of ginger root per day for 12 weeks reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and fasting blood glucose, but has no effect on triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, insulin resistance, blood pressure, or the fatty liver index, compared with placebo. Ginger is also recommended in cases of hepatobiliary congestion, hepatitis...

Posologie

Oral: root, rhizome

1500 mg

powder, standardized extract, dry extract, juice

Digestive disorders
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Ginger stimulates the flow of saliva, bile and gastric secretions and is therefore traditionally used to stimulate appetite, reduce flatulence and colic, gastrointestinal spasms and, more generally, as an aid to digestion. Commission E approves the use of ginger root for the treatment of dyspepsia. The EMA also states that ginger is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of mild and spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders, including bloating and flatulence.

Posologie

Oral use: root, rhizome

500 mg

powder, dry extract, juice

Biliary disorders
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Ginger (gingerol) is cholagogic, meaning it stimulates bile secretion. It is recommended in cases of biliary insufficiency.

Posologie

Oral use: root, rhizome

powder, standardized extract, dry extract, juice

Gastritis
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Ginger and its active molecules (gingerols and shogaols) have preventive properties against gastric ulcerations induced in animals. Gingerols inhibit the growth of several strains of Helicobacter pylori. In vivo, the use of ginger prevents gastric lesions induced by the bacterium. These properties confirm the traditional use of ginger for gastritis and enterocolitis.

Posologie

By mouth: root, rhizome

powder, standardized extract, dry extract, juice