How to Use Ginger to Get Relief from Nausea             

It constantly blows my mind how many amazing natural remedies there are.

Take humble little ginger, for example. Not only is ginger delicious, but it’s also one of the best natural remedies for dealing with nausea.

 

There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence to support this. However, there have also been studies done that show the same thing (in fact, some studies have found it to be as effective as some anti-nausea medications, but with fewer side effects).

 

Fresh or Dried?

If you’re curious, researchers think that ginger’s medicinal properties come from compounds called gingerols, as well as compounds called shogaols. Fresh ginger has a higher amount of gingerols, while dried ginger contains more shogaols. So, it may be worth experimenting to see if you respond better to fresh or dried ginger.

However, don’t stress too much about fresh or dried—both have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-ulcer properties. And, both versions of ginger have been shown to help with nausea from a wide variety of causes, including pregnancy, chemotherapy, motion sickness, surgery, IBS, and gastroenteritis.

 

Ginger Tea

If you’re dealing with nausea and want to give fresh ginger a try, go with ginger tea. Steep sliced or grated fresh ginger in hot water for 10 minutes, then sip it slowly while it’s still hot. You can also use this pre-bagged ginger tea. Studies suggest that drinking 4 cups (950 ml) may help reduce nausea.

 

Ginger Supplements

If dried ginger is more your thing, there are plenty of supplements available. Look for capsules that have been third-party tested to ensure they’re 100% ground ginger. I like this one! You don’t want any fillers or other additives sneaking in there! Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how much to take.

It’s worth noting that most studies found that taking high doses of ginger at one time didn’t increase its efficacy when dealing with nausea, and in fact, sometimes led to unwanted side effects. In one specific study, researchers in one study found that taking 250 mg of ginger every 6 hours was helpful for nausea, and most studies didn’t go over 2,000 mg per day (in divided, lower doses).

 

Ginger Essential Oil

You can also try using ginger essential oil if you’re dealing with nausea. Inhale it every 5 minutes or so as needed (directly from the bottle), or diffuse it for a few hours at a time.

No matter what way you choose, the chances are high that ginger will help you overcome your nausea, safely and effectively.

 

Cautions About Use

While ginger is definitely an amazing remedy, there are a few things to be aware of before using it.

Some studies found that taking more than 1,500 mg in a day increased the risk of heartburn, drowsiness, and miscarriage. Additionally, if you’re pregnant and close to labor, avoid ginger because it can cause more and heavier bleeding.

Ginger may also increase the flow of bile, so if you have gallbladder disease, you should avoid it.

For most people, though, ginger has been shown to be safe and effective to use. It’s certainly come in handy for me on more than one occasion!

 

Looking for a different way to get rid of nausea and deal with stomach issues? Check out our article about peppermint here!

 

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