Ginger -- the underground stem, or rhizome, of the herbal plant Zingiber officinale -- has been used as a delicacy, spice and also as a medicine in Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal traditions since ancient times. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger has been used to help digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea for more than 2,000 years. It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil. Ginger is native to Asia where it has been used as a cooking spice for at least 4,400 years.
The cuisines of Asia are perfumed with its essence, as are the sweetbreads of northern Europe. An ancient food with medicinal properties, ginger contains gingerol, shogaol and zingiberene, which have antioxidant properties. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, potassium and selenium, and a very good source of manganese. Ginger root is very low in cholesterol and sodium.
Ginger is a perennial plant, distinguished by the white and yellowish-greenish flowers it produces, as well as its thick stem. The ginger plant is known to have originated in China, however it has since then been cultivated in many other countries, including: India, South West Asia, West Africa and the Caribbean. The plant is famous for its concentrated, spicy aroma, which can be attributed to the fact that it is composed of up to 3% natural essential oils. The stem is the part of the plant which is generally sold and used today. It has been made widely available for eating and for the use of flavoring foods. It is also ground up and processed into all sorts of powders, tinctures, crystals, tonics and flavorings and then marketed in health food stores.
Gingers healing properties come from its volatile oils, gingerols and shogaols, which are also responsible for its pungent taste. The oils cause more digestive enzymes to be produced which helps with the whole digestion process and neutralizes the acids that can cause nausea, cramps and even diarrhea.
Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of “stomach problems,” including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery.
Other uses include upper respiratory tract infections, cough, bronchitis, as well as loss of appetite.
Fresh ginger is used for treating acute bacterial dysentery, baldness, malaria, poisonous snake bites, rheumatism, migraine headache, and toothaches.
Dried ginger is used for chest pain, low back pain, and stomach pain.
Some people pour the
fresh juice on their skin to treat burns. The oil made from ginger is
sometimes applied to the skin to relieve pain.
In foods and beverages,
ginger is used as a flavoring agent. In manufacturing, ginger is used
as for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
One of the chemicals in
ginger is also used as an ingredient in laxative, anti-gas, and
antacid medications.
Ginger can be freshly grated and used in cooking. It is also available as a supplement which can be taken on a daily bases.
Gated ginger root mixed with diluted lime juice can help to soothe the digestive tract and reduce flatulence. It can be made into oil and used to massage areas of localised chronic pain. It can also be taken in an extract form to reduce inflammation.
When choosing a ginger supplement it is essential to choose ones that contain ginger's pungent compounds. These are gingerols and shogaols and are the ginger plant's active ingredients.
Ginger can be used in extract pill form and the dosage for this is 100 to 200mg up to three times a day. Fresh powdered ginger should be taken three times a day ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon. Fresh ginger root can be eaten every four hours but no more than three times a day and should be approximately ½ inch and peeled. Ginger tea which now comes prepackaged can be taken several times a day. Crystallised ginger can be taken twice a day.
With such a wide range ginger products available and with the ever increasing benefits of ginger being discovered ginger or a product of ginger is something that everyone should have in their homes.
One of ginger's most touted health benefits is its ameliorating effects on digestive ailments. It can help digest fatty foods and break down proteins. It is excellent for reducing gas. Many people report that it will also relieve nausea, and can be effective in treating morning sickness as well as motion sickness. Ginger can also help reduce inflammation. So it can be used to treat any disease that is caused by inflammations such as arthritis or ulcerative colitis. Being a warming herb, ginger can help knock out a fever. This property also makes it effective in stimulating circulation of the blood. It can also help relax muscles around the blood vessels and is said to help prevent blood clots from forming. The warming effects make it a natural decongestant as well as an antihistamine, making it the perfect remedy for colds. We have listed below the top 10 health benefits of ginger.
Ginger has carminative properties (anti spasmic) and can be used to calm in upset stomach, providing relief for the relief of bloating and gas.
The intake of ginger helps stimulate the secretion of mucus, quieting your cough and soothing any scratchiness I your throat.
Ginger has been proven (in multiple studies) to treat feelings of nausea, particularly in the form of seasickness, morning sickness, motion sickness and as a side effect of chemotherapy.
Ginger contains anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold.
Ginger acts as an antihistamine and aids in the treatment of allergies.
Ginger displays anti inflammatory properties and can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various other muscular disorders. The chemical components of the root are instrumental in inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for causing inflammation. Thus the root has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment, in some cases, even more so than the NSAID's that are traditionally prescribed.
Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of cramps. The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger in order to ease the digestion process.
Due to its promotion of mucus secretion, ginger protects against the development of ulcers, unwanted holes in the lining of your stomach.
Ginger has proven to help lower your cholesterol levels and help prevent blood from clotting. That can be helpful in treating heart disease, where blood vessels can become blocked and lead to heart attack or stroke.
Ginger is often used to settle an upset stomach or treat severe stomach ailments such as dyspepsia or colic. It is frequently used today in developing countries to treat diarrhea.
To discover the health benefits of ginger for yourself, simply make a tea by steeping about 5 slices of ginger in hot water. If you prefer it in your food, ginger is excellent in many dishes.
Laboratory studies have also found that some substances in ginger may kill cancer cells in test tubes. More research is needed to know if ginger would have the same effect in humans.
Ginger may be powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.
A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
Ginger has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy. It is most often taken in the form of tea for this purpose.
Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for colds and the flu. Many people also find ginger to be helpful in the case of stomach flus or food poisoning, which is not surprising given the positive effects ginger has upon the digestive tract.
Research has shown that ginger may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
In Chinese medicine, ginger tea with brown sugar is used in the treatment of menstrual cramps.
A study done on diabetic rats found that those rats given ginger had a reduced incidence of diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).
A clue to ginger's success in eliminating gastrointestinal distress is offered by recent double-blind studies, which have demonstrated that ginger is very effective in preventing the symptoms of motion sickness, especially seasickness. In fact, in one study, ginger was shown to be far superior to Dramamine, a commonly used over-the-counter and prescription drug for motion sickness. Ginger reduces all symptoms associated with motion sickness including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweating.
However, other studies have found that ginger does not work as well as medications in reducing symptoms of motion sickness. In one small study, participants were given either fresh root or powdered ginger, scopolamine, a medication commonly prescribed for motion sickness, or placebo. Those who took scopolamine had fewer symptoms than those who took ginger. Conventional prescription and over-the-counter medicines that decrease nausea may also have side effects, such as dry mouth and drowsiness.
Ginger's anti-vomiting action has been shown to be very useful in reducing the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, even the most severe form, hyperemesis gravidum, a condition which usually requires hospitalization. In a double-blind trial, ginger root brought about a significant reduction in both the severity of nausea and number of attacks of vomiting in 19 of 27 women in early pregnancy (less than 20 weeks). Unlike antivomiting drugs, which can cause severe birth defects, ginger is extremely safe, and only a small dose is required.
A review of six double-blind, randomized controlled trials with a total of 675 participants, published in the April 2005 issue of the journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, has confirmed that ginger is effective in relieving the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The review also confirmed the absence of significant side effects or adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.
Human studies suggests that 1g daily of ginger may be effective for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnant women when used for short periods (no longer than 4 days). Several studies have found that ginger is better than placebo in relieving morning sickness.
In a small study of 30 pregnant women with severe vomiting, those who took 1 gram of ginger every day for 4 days reported more relief from vomiting than those who took placebo. In a larger study of 70 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting, those who received a similar dosage of ginger felt less nauseous and did not vomit as much as those who received placebo. Pregnant women should ask their doctor before taking ginger, and should be careful not take more than 1g per day.
In six studies that examined the effects of ginger in reducing nausea and vomiting in expecting mothers, ginger worked better than a placebo, or inactive drug, and as well as Vitamin B6, which has been shown to improve nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women. None of the women who took ginger had problems with their pregnancies, the authors report in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances are believed to explain why so many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain levels and improvements in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly. In two clinical studies involving patients who responded to conventional drugs and those who didn't, physicians found that 75% of arthritis patients and 100% of patients with muscular discomfort experienced relief of pain and/or swelling.
Regularly spicing up your meals with fresh ginger may help, suggests a study published in a recent issue of Osteoarthritis Cartilage. In this twelve month study, 29 patients with painful arthritis in the knee (6 men and 23 women ranging in age from 42-85 years) participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Patients switched from placebo to ginger or visa versa after 3 months. After six months, the double-blind code was broken and twenty of the patients who wished to continue were followed for an additional six months.
By the end of the first six month period, those given ginger were experiencing significantly less pain on movement and handicap than those given placebo. Pain on movement decreased from a score of 76.14 at baseline to 41.00, while handicap decreased from 73.47 to 46.08. In contrast, those who were switched from ginger to placebo experienced an increase in pain of movement (up to 82.10) and handicap (up to 80.80) from baseline. In the final phase of the study when all patients were getting ginger, pain remained low in those already taking ginger in phase 2, and decreased again in the group that had been on placebo.
Not only did participants' subjective experiences of pain lessen, but swelling in their knees, an objective measurement of lessened inflammation, dropped significantly in those treated with ginger. The mean target knee circumference in those taking ginger dropped from 43.25cm when the study began to 39.36cm by the 12th week. When this group was switched to placebo in the second phase of the study, their knee circumferences increased, while those who had been on placebo but were now switched to ginger experienced a decrease in knee circumference. In the final phase, when both groups were given ginger, mean knee circumference continued to drop, reaching lows of 38.78 and 36.38 in the two groups.
At a dose of at least 1 gram, ginger is effective in preventing the nausea and vomiting that often afflicts patients after undergoing surgery. Ginger has been used as a traditional medicine in China to treat nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In the last decade, several studies have evaluated its effects in preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery. To look at all the evidence available, statisticians from Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand pooled data from five clinical trials that involved a total of 363 patients. Compared with placebo, ginger cut the risk of nausea and vomiting in the 24 hours after surgery by 31 percent. That said, a substantial percentage of patients in the ginger arm still had postoperative nausea and vomiting -- 35 percent. The only apparent side effect seen with ginger was abdominal discomfort. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2006.
Gingerols, the main active components in ginger and the ones responsible for its distinctive flavor, may also inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells, suggests research presented at the Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, a major meeting of cancer experts that took place in Phoenix, AZ, October 26-30, 2003.
In this study, researchers from the University of Minnesota's Hormel Institute fed mice specially bred to lack an immune system a half milligram of -gingerol three times a week before and after injecting human colorectal cancer cells into their flanks. Control mice received no -gingerol.
Tumors first appeared 15 days after the mice were injected, but only 4 tumors were found in the group of -gingerol-treated mice compared to 13 in the control mice, plus the tumors in the -gingerol group were smaller on average. Even by day 38, one mouse in the -gingerol group still had no measurable tumors. By day 49, all the control mice had been euthanized since their tumors had grown to one cubic centimeter (0.06 cubic inch), while tumors in 12 of the -gingerol treated mice still averaged 0.5 cubic centimeter, half the maximum tumor size allowed before euthanization.
Research associate professor Ann Bode noted, "These results strongly suggest that ginger compounds may be effective chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinomas."
In this first round of experiments, mice were fed ginger before and after tumor cells were injected. In the next round, researchers will feed the mice ginger only after their tumors have grown to a certain size. This will enable them to look at the question of whether a patient could eat ginger to slow the metastasis of a nonoperable tumor.
Lab experiments presented at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer, by Dr Rebecca Lui and her colleagues from the University of Michigan, showed that gingerols, the active phytonutrients in ginger, kill ovarian cancer cells by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) and autophagocytosis (self-digestion).
Ginger extracts have been shown to have both antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects on cells. To investigate the latter, Dr Liu examined the effect of a whole ginger extract containing 5% gingerol on a number of different ovarian cancer cell lines.
Exposure to the ginger extract caused cell death in all the ovarian cancer lines studied.
A pro-inflammatory state is thought to be an important contributing factor in the development of ovarian cancer. In the presence of ginger, a number of key indicators of inflammation (vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-8 and prostaglandin E2) were also decreased in the ovarian cancer cells.
Conventional chemotherapeutic agents also suppress these inflammatory markers, but may cause cancer cells to become resistant to the action of the drugs. Liu and her colleagues believe that ginger may be of special benefit for ovarian cancer patients because cancer cells exposed to ginger do not become resistant to its cancer-destroying effects. In the case of ovarian cancer, an ounce of prevention in the delicious form of liberal use of ginger is an especially good idea. Ovarian cancer is often deadly since symptoms typically do not appear until late in the disease process, so by the time ovarian cancer is diagnosed, it has spread beyond the ovaries. More than 50% of women who develop ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease.
Ginger can not only be warming on a cold day, but can help promote healthy sweating, which is often helpful during colds and flus. A good sweat may do a lot more than simply assist detoxification. German researchers have recently found that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting agent that may help fight off infections. Investigators have isolated the gene responsible for the compound and the protein it produces, which they have named dermicidin. Dermicidin is manufactured in the body's sweat glands, secreted into the sweat, and transported to the skin's surface where it provides protection against invading microorganisms, including bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (a common cause of skin infections), and fungi, including Candida albicans.
Ginger is so concentrated with active substances, you don't have to use very much to receive its beneficial effects. For nausea, ginger tea made by steeping one or two 1/2-inch slices (one 1/2-inch slice equals 2/3 of an ounce) of fresh ginger in a cup of hot water will likely be all you need to settle your stomach. For arthritis, some people have found relief consuming as little as a 1/4-inch slice of fresh ginger cooked in food, although in the studies noted above, patients who consumed more ginger reported quicker and better relief.
Ginger products are made from fresh or dried ginger root, or from steam distillation of the oil in the root. The herb is available in extracts, tinctures, capsules, and oils. Fresh ginger root can also be purchased and prepared as a tea. Ginger is also a common cooking spice and can be found in a variety of foods and drinks, including ginger bread, ginger snaps, ginger sticks, and ginger ale.
Pediatric:
Don't give ginger to children under 2.
Ginger may be used by children over 2 years of age to treat nausea, stomach cramping, and headaches. Ask your doctor to help you determine the right dose.
Adult:
In general, don't take more than 4g of ginger per day, including food sources. Pregnant women should not take more than 1g per day.
Standardized dose: Take 75 - 2,000 mg in divided doses with food, standardized to contain 4% volatile oils or 5% total pungent compounds including 6-gingerol or 6-shogaol.
For nausea, gas, or indigestion: 2 - 4 grams of fresh root daily (0.25 - 1.0 g of powdered root) or 1.5 - 3.0 mL (30 - 90 drops) liquid extract daily. To prevent vomiting, take 1 gram of powdered ginger (1/2 tsp) or its equivalent, every 4 hours as needed (not to exceed 4 doses daily), or 2 ginger capsules (1 gram), 3 times daily. You may also chew a 1/4 oz piece of fresh ginger when needed.
For pregnancy-induced vomiting, use 250 mg 4 times daily for up to 4 days. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger.
For arthritis pain: 250 mg 4 times daily.
Special precautions & warnings:
Pregnancy: Before using ginger during pregnancy, talk it over with your healthcare provider.
Breast-feeding: Women who are breastfeeding should talk to their doctor before taking ginger.
Bleeding disorders: Taking ginger might increase your risk of bleeding. Avoid using it.
Diabetes: Ginger might lower your blood sugar. As a result, your diabetes medications might need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.
Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions. Don't use ginger if you have a heart condition.
Ginger may alter the effects of some prescription and nonprescription medications. If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ginger without first talking to your health care provider.
Blood-thinning medications -- Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you take blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin.
Diabetes medications -- Ginger may lower blood sugar, raising the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
High blood pressure medications -- Ginger may lower blood pressure, raising the risk of low blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting
Using ginger along with herbs that might slow blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding in some people. These herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, red clover, turmeric, and others.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Here are some reviews taken from two different famous Internet websites testifying to the real effectiveness of using Ginger supplements regularly:
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5.0 out of 5 stars A life saver!, May 3, 2011
By
Jeremiah Courter (USA)
I have bad acid reflux. I will admit up front that it resulted from poor eating and fairly large cycles of gaining and losing substantial amounts of weight (all bad combinations that result in developing acid reflux). I currently take Omeprazole, but I will be the first to tell you that, at times, not even a double daily dosage of that powerful drug can fully calm my stomach. I decided to try natural supplements to help me curb down the medication. I tried many things, but... Ginger [pills] was a miracle! After my stomach was going on a spell of pain and discomfort (there will be cycles of several days or weeks where I have to take additional meds), I purchased this product. For the first five days, I took 2 pills with every meal up to five times a day. After those five days, my stomach improved DRAMATICALLY. I felt almost no discomfort, and now I take only 1 pill of omeprazole for maintenance and a mere 2 pills of ginger 1 to 2 times a day. As of late, I have only taken 2 pills of ginger ONCE a day and ONLY BECAUSE it is good for my digestive system, NOT because I actually feel like I need it.
Now I understand that Ginger is also good for nausea and has a lot of other health benefits, but it was for stomach achs/pains that were caused by my acid reflux that I bought it and it played a %90 role in curing my stomach discomfort. I will take this product for the rest of my life and I will tell any reader of this review who can relate to my symptoms and wants relief....do not think about whether you should buy this product, JUST DO IT!
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Works amazingly well, February 23, 2011
By
No Name (Colorado)
I have a pretty finicky stomach and get nauseous a lot (as do most emetophobics). A family member bought these for me since I really can't stand the taste of ginger tea or most of the other things to nibble on that help your stomach. I was also pretty skeptical of how well ginger works so I never really used these. Just the other day I woke up in the middle of the night feeling horrible and it just wouldn't go away with anything, peppermint tea, pepto bismol, anything I tried. I took two of these and within minutes, the nausea was almost gone. I'm so glad I found something that's not only less expensive than a prescription, but also seems less harmful. The reason I took off one star is that these are very strong, and it gives me heartburn when I take them. But I'd gladly take that over nausea. Plus it makes your breath smell like ginger.
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Reason for taking: Motion sickness
5/30/2011 7:23:31 PM
Reviewer: kalbill, 75 or over Male on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 4
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I was dizzy upon arising after sleeping or just resting. I now get up -- even in the middle of the night -- without staggering or having to hold on to something.
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Reason for taking: Other
1/8/2011 2:17:42 PM
Reviewer: LJ in Georgia, 45-54 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
For a cold, ginger water foot soak: thinly sliced ginger root boiled in a gallon or so of water, until water is stained (about 1 hour). Poured into footbath-size tub, when cooled just enough that I can stand it, immerse feet in it until it cools (about 30 min.). Burning sensation almost unbearable, cold symptoms abate. Repeat next day if needed.
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Reason for taking: Motion sickness
7/12/2009 6:15:41 PM
Reviewer: CincinnatiCat, 55-64 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 3
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 4
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 3
Comment:
experienced feeling of motion sickness- after about 1 week of Naproxen for tendinitis- so i started eating preserved ginger root (about 3 slices) for nausea- it helped
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Reason for taking: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
7/9/2009 12:33:04 PM
Reviewer: 19-24 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 4
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I have a juicer and often juice fruits and vegetables and recently I thought of adding ginger to the mix. I started to notice that whenever I had the ginger the swelling in my knees was significantly reduced later in the day and my stomach also seemed more calm and settled. Also, being a singer, I realized I could sing higher notes immediately after drinking the juice with the ginger. All in all it seems like a potent and immediate way to remove phlegm and inflammation from the body.
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Reason for taking: Other
10/1/2008 1:18:07 PM
Reviewer: 35-44 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Caregiver)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 4
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I use ginger whenever my stomach is upset from travel- motion sickness, or because my stomach sometimes rejects things like cucumber, it settles it down. I know that my friend used in when going through Chemo, and found it was helpful, and not sedating like the prescription anti-nausea medications, so she didn't need so much prescription meds. I prefer the candy chews you can get at holistic markets... but I've seen it in Japan and other places as pills as well.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Helps with my nausea!!, May 9, 2011
By
Katie M. Johnston "K. Johnston" (Milwaukee, WI)
I got this product when I was dealing with a long-term illness. It helped me to not have to take so many of my other anti-nausea pills and has been helping me to stay off of them the last few weeks! They not only help with nausea, but they're supposedly great for digestion as well!! After my first bottle, I stocked up on a few more! I plan to keep some of these around for a while.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Helps with Meniere's, September 23, 2011
By
J. Robinson "sports nut" (South Lyon,MI,USA)
I found out about the positive effects of ginger when I couldn't control my Meniere's with traditional prescription and surgical medication. Ginger is great for the nausea associated with the disease, I prefer the quick acting ginger gum, tea, candies and mints but having ginger in your system consistently helps for the everyday nausea associated with the dizziness and helps with the frequency as well as intensity of nausea. While my dizziness and nausea are not under control and there is no cure for Meniere's but any help is GREATLY appreciated, anything to make it more liveable.
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