Herbal help: Ginger

Spice up your meals and rev up your health with this versatile herb

What is it?
This aromatic plant has been cultivated as food and traditional medicine throughout south-east Asia for centuries. Today, ginger (zingiber officinalis) is also found across the Caribbean and Latin America. Most people are aware of its use as a culinary herb, but it’s just as well known as a medicine.

How can it help me?
•    Travel sickness beater Ginger is known for relieving nausea from motion sickness. Australian studies have also noted its use in treating morning sickness.
•    Digestive helper Ginger is helpful for treating indigestion and flatulence, according to a report in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
•    Fever fighter Ginger promotes perspiration and warms the body so can help with fevers and chills from colds or flu, Japanese research has found. Warm ginger tea can also be gargled to relieve sore throats.
•    Circulation easer Ginger stimulates the circulation, and has long been used for chilblains and poor circulation.
•    Blood helper Chinese research shows ginger may reduce high blood pressure and thin blood by inhibiting platelets (particles found in blood) from collecting together.
•    Pain reliever A US study indicated ginger may be as good as conventional painkillers in treating the pain of osteoarthritis.

How much do I need?
Around 1g of fresh ginger can be taken daily, or around 400mg as dried extract. As supplements differ widely, it is important to stay within the manufacturer’s guidelines. Ginger should not be used alongside anticoagulant (blood thinning) drugs such as aspirin and warfarin. As ginger 
can lower blood sugar levels, those on medicines to control diabetes should seek medical advice before taking a ginger supplement. Ginger should not be used by those with gallstones or gallbladder disease as it increases bile production and flow.

How do I use it?
Ginger is a tremendously versatile plant that can be used in both its fresh (grated or crushed) and dried forms, and is an important addition to many Asian dishes. Ginger tea is a very soothing and warming remedy for colds; why not add lemon and honey to create a delicious hot drink with increased medicinal benefits. If you don’t like the taste of ginger, but still want to enjoy its qualities, you can try a supplement in the form of tablets, capsules and tinctures. For osteoarthritis, a hot ginger compress can be used. Simply add hot water to crushed ginger to make a paste, then soak a muslin cloth in it, and apply directly to the aching joint.

Saucy spice
Ginger is reputed to have aphrodisiac powers and is mentioned in the Kama Sutra. In the South Pacific the spice is used to gain the affection of a woman. Perhaps that’s why 19th century English barkeepers put out small containers of ground ginger, for people to sprinkle into their beer – the origin of ginger ale.

Expert: Gabriella Clarke is a qualified medical herbalist and a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. She teams centuries of tradition with modern science and practises from her clinic in the heart of the Chilterns in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.