Ginger for Upset Stomach: Benefits, Science & Relief

Are you seeking a home remedy for your regular stomach disorder? Then your search stops right here – here we talk about ginger, the popular herb that has been used since ages as a traditional medicine for treating gastric troubles and different types of stomach problems (1).

Would you like to know more about how ginger works in treating your upset stomach? Keep reading this post.

How Ginger Works?

Ginger is used commonly to treat various stomach problems such as morning sickness, motion sickness, gas, colic, stomach upset, nausea caused due to chemotherapy, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea after surgery, and loss of appetite (2). How does ginger help in giving relief from different stomach problems? Ginger reduces inflammation just as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin slow down the biochemical pathways. It also mildly stimulates circulation.

The roots of ginger are rich in chemicals such as shogoals and gingerols (3). When you consume the ginger extract in any form to get relief from stomach upset, these chemicals soothe the intestinal tract, thereby preventing motion sickness, giving relief from vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and colicky stomach cramps. Since ginger eliminates the basic factors causing stomach upset, it is equally effective in treating stomach flu.

Properties Of Ginger That Help in Treating Stomach Upset

Ins ginger good for upset stomach? Ginger is loaded with amazing properties that are helpful in treating many stomach related problems.

• Its anti-inflammatory properties cause pain relief action just like the painkiller and provide relief from hyperacidity and indigestion (4).
• Its mild stimulatory action promotes blood circulation and helps in better digestion. It, thus, neutralizes the stomach ache and gives quick relief.
• The strong antioxidants in ginger decrease the production of harmful free radicals and protect the body from their harmful damage thereby also reducing any symptoms of stomach pain (5).
• It gives relief from indigestion and gases and relaxes the intestinal tract that causes the stomach upset (6).

Ginger For Motion Sickness

Several studies have been carried out on the effect of ginger in treating motion sickness (7). According to a report published in the British medical journal Lancet in 1982, ginger is highly effective in treating motion sickness. Other studies show that consuming two to three ginger capsules half an hour prior to going to the toilet and repeating the dose constantly after two hours effectively controls motion sickness.

The nausea accompanying motion sickness also can be treated with ginger. Nausea involves a complex reaction of the various brain areas and the digestive tract. Until now, it is unclear how the rhizome works and if it directly acts upon both the brain and the stomach. However, its effectiveness cannot be ruled out. That is why ginger is also used in various parts of the world for getting relief from several stomach ailments including flatulence, heartburn, gas and many more.

Ginger For Morning Sickness

The Lancet journal suggests the use of ginger tea, ginger capsules and ginger ale for treating morning sickness during pregnancy. Other than that, many conventional physicians vouch for the efficiency of ginger in treating nausea caused after cancer chemotherapy or even after undergoing surgery.

A survey on the benefits of ginger for nausea during pregnancy and on the patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy has found out that ginger provided significant relief in such patients without any side effects. The study says that ginger demonstrates a high success rate of 75% in curing stomach flu and morning sickness. Research conducted on animals has also revealed that fresh ginger extracts inhibit gastric secretions and can be helpful in preventing the onset of gastric ulcers. You can certainly restrict and treat any bout of stomach upset with ginger.

Using Ginger To Treat Stomachache

You can try out the different home remedies recommended for treating stomach pain and ache. You can use ginger in any form, including raw, cooked, crystallized or even as a candy. Here are some of the popular methods for using ginger to treat stomach problems.

1. Using Fresh Ginger For Upset Stomach

• Take a small piece of fresh ginger and slice it into small pieces.
• Sprinkle some salt over the ginger slices evenly so that each piece of ginger is covered with some amount of salt.
• Chew these slices one by one all through the day continuously.
• You can also add the ginger slices to your recipes for improving digestion and preventing stomach problems.

2. Ginger And Carrot Juice

• Wash the ginger root properly.
• Peel the ginger of one-inch size and cut it into thin slices.
• Take one apple and around 3 to 5 baby carrots and cut into small pieces.
• Blend the ginger, carrots and apple in a mixer and strain.
• Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it prior to drinking.
• This drink is effective in treating chronic stomach pain and disorders.

3. Ginger And Ghee (clarified butter)

• Crush a small piece of ginger to extract juice from it.
• Mix one teaspoon of ginger juice with 1/2 teaspoon of clarified butter or ghee.
• Stir using a spoon and consume this mixture to get immediate relief from abdominal pain.
• You can use this remedy to treat your regular stomach problems and pain.
• It is quite safe for daily intake.

Treating Stomach Gas And Bloating With Ginger

Treatment Method: 1

• Wash and peel a fresh piece of ginger and extract juice from it.
• To the ginger juice, add a small amount of sugar and add both these ingredients to a glass of warm water.
• Drink it to get quick relief from all types of bloating and gas troubles including flatulence.
• You can simultaneously also rub the ginger essential oil on the stomach to expedite the recovery process.

Treatment Method: 2

• Take a teaspoon each of black pepper, ginger powder, coriander seeds and dried mint leaves.
• Grind all these ingredients and make a fine powder.
• Take one teaspoonful of this powder twice a day with warm water to get quick relief from stomach upset.
• You can use this same treatment for treating gas trouble and indigestion. It can be stored for a long time in an airtight container.

Using all these methods, you can effectively treat different types of stomach problems. You can also prevent your body from the onset of stomach diseases, as ginger is also effective in eliminating the toxic free radicals from your body.

Have you ever used ginger for upset stomach? We hope this post has been beneficial to you. Do give us your feedback by commenting in the box below.