Ginger JIN-jer

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Zingiber officinale roscoe, Amomum zingiber, Zingiberis rhizoma, ginger, African ginger, black ginger, ginger root, gingembre, Jamaica ginger, imber

What is ginger?

Ginger is used to make a popular drink (ginger ale), and as a spice or condiment. Ginger plants have thin leaves approximately 6 inches long, and large pale yellow and purple flowers. The root is used medicinally.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

Ginger has been used to:

• ease menstrual cramps, arthritis, fever, and headaches
• help prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness or after surgery or chemotherapy
• improve appetite and digestion and treat heartburn, bloating and gas
• prevent morning sickness
• treat high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• treat colds, cough, and the flu
• treat arthritis
• treat vertigo

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

It can be taken as a capsule, pill, tea, or tincture, or the fresh root can be eaten. You may make ginger tea from the raw herb. You may also chew the raw fresh herb or use it to flavor food. Swallow ginger root capsules or tablets with a large drink of water. Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking ginger if you have:

• a bleeding disorder
• diabetes
• heart disease
• high or low blood pressure

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this remedy. Before you have surgery, stop taking this remedy. It may cause you to bleed more.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious: Unusual bruising or bleeding.

Other: Nausea, heartburn, bloating, gas, diarrhea, bad taste in mouth.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as aspirin, heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and warfarin (Coumadin)
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem), felodipine, isradipine (DynaCirc CR), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Tiazac)
• diabetes medicines such as insulin, acarbose (Prandase, Precose), acetohexamide (Dymelor), chlorpropamide, glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), metformin (Glucophage), miglitol (Glyset), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), repaglinide (Prandin),
• natural remedies such as angelica, anise, arnica, asafoetida, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, gotu kola, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, papain, psyllium, red clover, turmeric, and willow
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.