Ginger/Digestion

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I have been meaning to write about Ginger and all the things I have found out. My mom has colitis, and the only thing she is allowed to take for tummy aches is ginger. This got me thinking that there must be something there. A lot of people still use it for motion sickness, pregnancy nausia, and heartburn. (though in a few people taking ginger can make heartburn worse. Usually they are on a highly refined carbohydrate diet.) I talked with someone at our local HFS and when I explained Zander's symptoms (gasroperisis, very slow motility, distention, and spiting up), he too recommended ginger. I bought a book called "The NEW Healing Herbs" by Michael Castleman, and read that chapter on ginger. Ancient Indians used in for everything from cooking to treating digestive problems. (Interestingly they thought it made them presentable to their gods, so they ate it before any celebrations).

China was the first country to list is among their healing "medicines," and used it to treat colds, fevers, chills, tetanus, and leprosy. And thought it was a cure for shellfish poisoning. Ancient Greeks followd the asian ways of using it as a digestive. The Romans used ginger as a digestive aid, but after the fall of Rome it was scarce and expensive. In England and Colonial America ginger was a main ingredient in ginger beer (a forerunner to ginger ale). And it is still a widely used home remedy for diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Ever notice how your flu seemed a little more bearable with ginger ale? It is a gastrointestinal antispasmodic. It helps indigestion by soothing the muscles that line the intestine. and contains compounds similar to digestive enzymes to break down protiens. Any extra help is good right?

In 19th century eclectic physicains it was standard to prescribe ginger powder, tea, wine, and beer for infant diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, dystention, flatulence, fever, headache, toothache, and for "female hysteria" or menstral cramps.

In animal studies it has also shown the ability to lower blood sugar! no testing has been done in human studies as of yet. It may help prevent heart disease, it can reduce cholesterol, according to New England Journal of Medicine. It helps lower blood pressure, and can prevent blood clots. ( Also good for potential stroke victims.)

Chinese medicine recomended 28 to 29 grams to indue menstration. In modern studies, approx. 1 gram is needed to relieve nausea. An 8-ounce glass of gingerale has approximately 1 gram. And in a strong cup of ginger tea there is only about 500 milligrams.

My thought is that slightly larger amounts would do no harm, especialy as I dont plan on coming close to 28 grams ( anyone want to eat a whole ginger root? ). And I will increase it as long as I see possitive effects at the lowest dose. ( the same I do with CoQ-10.

There is alot more info, and I highly recommend this book for a variety of reasons. I am seeing WONDERFUL results with Zander. He is eatting solids three times a day!!!! And NO dystention! I use Eclectic kids alcohol free peppermint flavored GInger ( the only on that doest have Dill and some other things I'd rather not give him) The dose is on the back of the bottle. Its for infants and children over 1 and has a weight chart.