Nausea? Indigestion? Toss The Tums, Try Ginger Root!
- Jenn Korn
- Oct 17, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 25, 2018
Nausea could be the worst feeling in the world. Whether it be from a stomach bug, pregnancy, or without any explanation at all, instant relief is heavily yearned.
When I was a child, I took tums when I felt nauseous. For some reason, they always made me more nauseous. Personally, I did not enjoy the taste of artificially flavored chew-able tablets when I was feeling queasy.
Indigestion can be caused by many things, and it’s often an ongoing issue. Stress, depression, poor diet, and other health conditions can all cause indigestion. While tums may provide temporary relief, it can be damaging to use them long-term. Tums decrease the amount of stomach acid in the stomach, and excessive stomach acid is not the cause of indigestion; however, the body’s inability to produce enough stomach acid could worsen indigestion and cause heartburn.
What is Ginger Root?
Ginger root is one of the healthiest spices on the planet! There is a wide range of benefits, including relief from issues like nausea and indigestion.
The main bioactive compound in ginger is gingerol, which is responsible for many of the medicinal properties of ginger (7.4. Bioactive Components of Ginger). Gingerol is directly credited for relieving pain caused by exercise-related muscle strain and arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties; studies have shown it to be an anti-cancer agent, as well. Gingerol also helps fight infections and reduces menstrual pain.
Where To Find Ginger
You can find ginger at your local grocery store. In the produce section, you can find the fresh root. In the spice section, you can find it in powder form. At your local health food store, you should be able to find it in tinctures and capsules. Any form of ginger should be effective in providing relief from nausea and indigestion, in addition to many other things. Even ginger candies are known to help; I’ve tried them!
Different Ways To Take Ginger
Tea
Yes, tea! You can either buy ginger tea, or make it yourself! I recommend making the ginger tea yourself; it’s extremely simple to make, and you can control the dosing! You can make it with either ginger powder, or the fresh root. Unless you have a bad chest cold, it is not recommended to drink more than 1-2 cups per day, depending on the dosage.
There are numerous recipes you can follow, and most of them are easy.
Capsules
If you’re not a fan of the taste of ginger but still need its relieving properties, ginger capsules are extremely effective, and may be the way to go! The recommended dosage is two 550 mg capsules, and it is important to take them with a full glass of water to avoid a burning sensation.
The brand of ginger capsules pictured is Nature's Way. The vegetarian capsules each contain 550 mg of ginger root. There are no other additives or GMOs; this is as natural as it gets!
Tincture
Not a fan of capsules? You can also purchase ginger root in a tincture form! The dosage is usually around one dropper full (about 1 mL). Always read the bottle for its recommended dosage; dosing could vary by brand. It is not recommended to take it straight; mix it with water or tea to avoid a burning sensation.
The tincture pictured is Herb Pharm. The recommended serving is one dropper full, and it is best absorbed between meals. It is not recommended to take more than 5 servings in a day.
The Root Itself
You read that right! If you’re suffering from a stomach ache, nausea, or indigestion, you could find quick relief just from biting into the ginger root and sucking on it. While you might look funny, the juices from the root will provide relief. You could easily snatch a small piece of fresh ginger root for just a few cents; this is the most cost effective and natural method of taking ginger.
Precautions
While one of the main purposes of ginger is to provide relief from many digestive issues, taking too much could cause or worsen digestive issues, especially acid reflux and heartburn. Side effects of ginger root are usually temporary, but it's important to be aware of them.
Side effects include (but are not limited to):
- heartburn
- diarrhea
- stomach upset
The maximum recommended daily dose of ginger is 4 grams in any form; however, taking less is strongly encouraged. If you are pregnant, taking medications, or have acid reflux, you may need to take smaller doses; always consult with your doctor.
I’ve heard of how ginger can reduce nausea before, though I never heard about all of the other ailments it can help with as well. The ginger tea sounds particularly good in my opinion. I’m ready to recommend it to my Grandmother since she has certain forms of arthritis pretty much throughout her body. Not only that but if it truly helps with period cramps it sounds great. I only hope it will work for me as many medications don’t seem to help me. Hopefully natural remedies can help better.
I have never used natural remedies before but this post is making me think that maybe I should try. Just like you had issues with Tums, I was never able to take pepto bismal because the taste and texture would cause me to feel even more sick than I was before. Now I also reach for Ginger Ale above all else to help. Next time though, I am definitely going to try the ginger capsules - they sound like a much healthier alternative!
I think treating any problems you may have with natural remedies is a great idea. I have recently had terrible stomach problems for the past few months. My doctor recommended to me to change my diet which has help tremendously. I am know gluten and dairy free. However, once in a while I still get bad stomach aches so I am glad that you recommended ginger to help with nausea and indigestion. I will definitely be giving it a try.