Ginger Herbal Remedies

Ginger is one of the most popular herbs used world-wide. It is a warming herb used to support digestion, relieve nausea (from motion sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy, etc.), and stimulate circulation. It is useful taken in the early stages of a cold or flu to shorten unpleasant symptoms, to induce sweating, and help the body eliminate the pathogens and waste products. Ginger has long been used to alleviate coughing, painful digestion, colic, and diarrhea. Women take ginger tea for suppressed menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and pelvic congestion. It is a common ingredient in bitters formulas and in laxative formulas to help prevent "griping" or cramping. In Chinese medicine dried ginger is used for vomiting, diarrhea, cold extremities, and cough. (Fresh ginger is used for nausea and vomiting, swelling and pain in the chest and abdomen, and excess phlegm). Ginger is used externally in fomentations to relieve the pain of arthritis, strains, sprains, sore backs or elbows, and other injuries. Ginger has a taste of PUNGENT and a temperature of HOT.

Ginger Proper Dose

TypeDossage
Ginger Capsules2 caps 3 x daily
Ginger Decoction1 cup 2-3 x daily
Ginger Tincture2 droppersful 2-3 x daily

Ginger Reference Information

Latin NameZingiber officinalis
Other Names
Part UsedRhizome
Herb FormsTincture, capsule, tablet, bulk herb, powder.
AffectsDigestive system, Liver
CautionsAvoid large doses during pregnancy and in cases of gallstones.
Botanical InfoA tropical plant with yellow or tan fragrant flowers. It grows at least three feet high from masses of knobby underground rhizomes.

Supporting Research

Blumenthal, Mark et al. 1998. The Complete Commission E Monographs. Austin: American Botanical Council.

McGuffin, M. et al. 1997. Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1983. (1898). King's Dispensatory. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Wehrbach, M. 1987. Nutritional Influences on Illness. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press.

Madaus, G. 1976. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Heilmittel. Hildesheim: Georg Olms Verlag.

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