GARLIC (Allium sativum)Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions
lower blood gastrointestinal upset antihypertensives
cholesterol strong body and
lower risk for breath odor
ATHEROSCLEROSIS excessive bleeding
reduce BLOOD with surgery
PRESSURE
See also ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY; COAGULATION;
INFECTION; LIFESTYLE AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH.
ginger An herb that soothes gastrointestinal
upset. More likely to be in the kitchen spice cabi-
net than the medicine cabinet, ginger (Zingiber
officinale) is one of the most popular spices. Herbal-
ists and cooks alike use the gnarly root fresh or
dried, sliced or powdered, in natural form or pre-
pared as an extract. TRADITIONALCHINESE MEDICINE
(TCM) considers ginger a hot, yang energy that
brings warmth to the HEART, LUNGS, and especially
the STOMACHto improve their functions. Folk med-
icine advises pregnant women to suck on thin
slices of fresh gingerroot to alleviate symptoms of
MORNING SICKNESS. A popular home remedy for
stomach upset is sipping on a flat gingerale. Gin-
ger also contains substances that act as mild anti-
histamines, helping relieve allergy symptoms such
as ALLERGIC RHINITIS.
Clinical research studies provide supporting
evidence of ginger’s abilities to relieve
- NAUSEA, particularly that related to PREGNANCY
(morning sickness), motion sickness, and
CHEMOTHERAPY - nausea and VOMITING due to gastrointestinal
viruses - dizziness related to motion sickness
- digestive upset, particularly FLATULENCE(intes-
tinal gas) - congestion due to COLDS, INFLUENZA, and sea-
sonal allergies
Though some people experience mild gastric
irritation when taking ginger supplements or
drinking ginger tea, ginger causes very few side
effects and health experts consider it safe for
nearly everyone to take. Ginger may affect
PLATELET AGGREGATION, and thus BLOOD clotting
(COAGULATION), in some people so surgeons gener-
ally ask people to stop taking ginger a few days
before any planned surgery.GINGER(Zingiber officinale)
Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions
general NAUSEA excessive bleeding anticoagulants
MORNING SICKNESS ASPIRIN THERAPY
motion sickness
nausea of CHEMOTHERAPY
digestive upsetSee also ANTIEMETIC MEDICATIONS; ANTIHISTAMINE
MEDICATIONS; HISTAMINE.ginkgo biloba An herbal product with many
uses. The ginkgo biloba tree is the oldest living
species of tree on Earth, believed to have first
appeared more than 200 million years ago in the
area that is now China. Individual trees typically
live hundreds of years, with some documented to
be nearly 1,000 years old, and now grow in many
parts of the world. Herbal remedies made from the
leaves and seeds of this ancient tree have been
popular for centuries for increasing longevity and
improving mental focus. It contains numerous
antioxidants (notably quercetin), collectively iden-
tified as ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on supple-
ment product labels. In the United States ginkgo
biloba is a dietary supplement available without a
doctor’s prescription.
Clinical research studies conducted in the
1990s and early 2000s demonstrated ginkgo’s abil-
ity to improve BLOODcirculation in the BRAINand
the smallest of arteries, the arterioles, throughout
the body. Studies among people with ALZHEIMER’S
DISEASEand other forms of DEMENTIA(diminished
thought capacity and memory) showed significant
improvement after taking ginkgo biloba supple-
ments for eight weeks or longer, especially in
combination with PanaxGINSENG. Many people of
all ages who take ginkgo biloba do so for these
cerebrovascular benefits. The effect seems to arise
from ginkgo’s mild anticoagulant action in combi-
nation with its ANTIOXIDANTactivity. Ginkgo’s abil-
ity to open up peripheral circulation also improves
conditions such as PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE
(PVD), NEUROPATHYof DIABETES, and ERECTILE DYS-70 Alternative and Complementary Approaches