In various traditions, ginger is used primarily in connection with nausea and digestion. A well-known application in traditional medicine is travel sickness.
Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a tropical plant whose spicy rhizome, the ginger root, is valued worldwide as a spice. The pungent compounds gingerol and shogaol are primarily responsible for its typical sharp taste.
Beyond the kitchen, ginger has a long history as a traditional remedy, including in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has long been used there in connection with nausea and digestion.
Steckbrief
- Botanical name
- Zingiber officinale
- Plant family
- Ginger family (Zingiberaceae)
- Part used
- Rhizome (root stock)
- Characteristic constituents
- Gingerol, shogaol (pungent compounds)
- Traditional use
- Nausea, digestion
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia
Wirkung und Studienlage
Ginger is traditionally used primarily in connection with nausea and digestion. The best-known application in traditional medicine is travel and pregnancy-related nausea. The inflammation-related properties of its pungent compounds are also a subject of research.
Scientific studies on ginger are available, but their findings vary depending on the question examined and are sometimes based on smaller studies. Under European health claims regulations, no health claims are approved for ginger as a food supplement. Its use therefore relies largely on traditional experience.
Anwendung und Dosierung
Ginger can be used in many ways: as a fresh root, as a tea made from fresh or dried slices, as a powder, or in the form of capsules and extracts. For ginger tea, a few slices of the fresh root are steeped in hot water.
There is no generally valid, scientifically derived dosage. For standardized preparations, the manufacturer’s recommended intake applies. As a culinary spice, ginger is considered safe.
Sicherheit und Wechselwirkungen
As a spice and in customary amounts, ginger is generally well tolerated. Larger amounts may cause heartburn or stomach discomfort in sensitive individuals.
Since ginger is thought to affect blood clotting, caution is advised when taking blood-thinning medications and before surgery, and consulting a doctor is recommended. During pregnancy, ginger is traditionally used for nausea, but larger amounts or concentrated preparations should only be used after consulting a doctor.
Häufige Fragen
Pour hot water over a few slices of fresh ginger root and let steep for a few minutes. The strength can be adjusted by the amount used and the steeping time.
Ginger is thought to be able to affect blood clotting. Caution is therefore advised with blood-thinning medications and before surgery, and consulting a doctor is recommended.
Fachliche Prüfung
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. Martin Hörning
Arzt, Professor i.R. und Mitbegründer von sanitas
Seit 40 Jahren beschäftigt er sich intensiv mit den Themen Prävention, Gesundheitsförderung, Achtsamkeit, Longevity und Naturheilverfahren. In Herstelle führt er eine kleine Privatpraxis.