G
(MAB); 0.3–1 g powdered root (PNC); 2 tsp powdered root/cup water (APA); 0.25–1.0 g herb, or
in tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 0.7–2 ml liquid extract (1:2)/day (MAB); 0.25–3 ml herbal tincture (CAN;
SKY); 0.25–3 ml tincture (PNC); 1.7–5 ml tincture (1:5)/day (MAB); 1.5–9 g/day (FAY); 2–4
g/day (HH3); 500 mg tablet 2–4 ×/day (MAB); 3 (530 mg) capsules 3 ×/day (NH); 1 (480 mg)
StX 2 ×/day; 15–60 mg ginger oleoresin (PNC); 2.5–5 ml ginger syrup (PNC).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Ginger) — Class 2b, 2d (AHP).“Hazards and/or
side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Perhaps erring on the side of caution,
Reichert cautions that ginger may raise the blood pressure, may amplify blood-thinning drug activities,
and might be contraindicated in pregnancy. Contraindicated in childhood fevers and gallstones
(WAM). Patients with gallstones should consult a practitioner before taking ginger (AHP). The
Lawrence Review says overdoses may cause cardiac arrhythmias and CNS depression (LRNP, Novem-
ber 1991). Large doses (6 g or more) possibly gastroirritant, causing a significant increase in exfoliation
of gastric surface epithelial cells in human volunteers (MAB). Due to ginger’s strong antiaggregant
activity, experts recommend it not be used by people with blood clotting disorders. Many chemother-
apy patients experience periods when their blood platelet counts drop dramatically. Doctors will warn
patients to avoid aspirin when their platelet counts are low. They feel that patients should also avoid
ginger when their platelet count drops, while continuing use of ginger for patients with normal platelet
counts. Less conservatively, Commission E reports rhizome should not be used for vomiting in
pregnancy (AEH). Lininger et al. (1998) adds heartburn as a rare side effect. “A doctor should be
informed if ginger is used before surgery to counteract possible postanesthesia nausea” (SKY).
Extracts (Ginger) — Fresh ginger juice reduces serum glucose levels in experimental animals
(PED). Both fresh and dry rhizome suppress gastric contractions and reduce vomiting (PNC).
Gingerols and shogaols are analgesic, antipyretic, antiprostaglandin, antiulcer, hepatoprotective,
and hypotensive (PNC). As carminatives, the EOs, oleoresins, and proteolytic enzymes stimulate
digestion, helping combat the effects of overeating, improper chewing, or excessive motion. They
increase gastric motility and neutralize acids and toxins in the digestive tract (PED). Gingerol
and 6-gingerol inhibit gastric ulceration in rats. I suspect there’s synergy at work in the antiulcer
phytochemicals in ginger. 6-Gingesulfonic acid is less pungent but more potent against ulcers
than 6-gingerol or 6-shogaol (MAB). Oral spray dried ginger (500 mg/kg) or combinations ginger
and licorice extracts (1000 mg/kg), significantly prevented gastric mucosal damage induced by
ethanol in rats. Pretreatment with these inhibited the reduction in the deep corpus mucin content
caused by ethanol (MAB). As a powerful thromboxane-synthetase inhibitor and prostacyclin
agonist, ginger has potential as an antidepressant, in alcohol withdrawal and the complications
of liver damage, and in treating a side effect of alcoholism, impotence, in preventing aging penile
vascular changes. LD50 ginger oil = >5000 mg/kg orl rat (MAB), LDlo ginger extract = >2300
mg/kg orl mouse, equivalent to 75,000 mg/kg ginger (MAB). Ginger extract equal to aspirin in
antiedemic activity; 940 mg powdered ginger is more effective than 100 mg dimenhydrinate for
kinetosis (motion sickness); ginger is equal to metoclopramide for postoperative nausea and
vomiting (WHO). 8 Gingerol more potently inhibited the response to serotonin than the control
drug, cocaine (MAB). Gingerols are more potent at inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis than
indomethacin (MAB). Ginger extract inhibited swelling as actively as aspirin (MAB). Shogaol
as antitussive as dihydrocodeine (TRA).
GINGER BUSH (Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd.) +Synonym — Iboza riparia (Hochst.) N. E. Br., Moschosma riparia Hochst.
Activities (Ginger Bush) — Antibacterial (1; ZUL); Antiseptic (1; ZUL); Antispasmodic (1; ZUL);
Fungicide (1; ZUL); Soporific (1; WBB); Stomachic (f; ZUL); Tranquilizer (f; ZUL); Trichomoni-
cide (1; ZUL).