Written by Susan Sweeny Johnson, PhD, Biochem. This study indicates that ginger helps reduce post-surgery nausea.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used for centuries to settle upset stomachs. Ginger’s main ingredient is gingerol, which acts as an antioxidant in the digestive tract. This may prevent oxidative compounds formed in the digestive tract from inducing nausea. Ginger also dilates blood vessels, warming the body. In addition, ginger appears to block serotonin receptors in the stomach that cause nausea when serotonin is bound to them. (1-7)
During the last ten years or so, researchers have been asking, “How effective is ginger in preventing nausea in pregnancy, post-surgery and chemotherapy?” By and large, previous studies have included small sample populations or have not been double-blind placebo tests. In order to remedy this, clinical trials using large populations and randomized placebo-controlled criteria are underway to see if ginger can stem nausea as compared to drugs commonly used during chemotherapy. (8, 9) Preliminary reports are encouraging.
In this study, the results of several small studies on the effect of ginger on post-operative nausea are compiled. The compilers conclude that ginger can significantly reduce nausea and vomiting.
Five small studies were selected from the literature as eligible for analysis and compilation based on the following criteria:
- The study was random and placebo controlled;
- One gram or more of ginger was administered to each patient;
- The incidence of nausea and vomiting at 24 hours after operation was measured.
The ginger was not standardized, although each study used powdered ginger root. The amount of anesthesia which can induce nausea was limited to small amounts. Each individual study was fairly small, but the total number of patients was 363.
The pooled relative risk of ginger for nausea and vomiting was 0.62-0.65. In other words, 69 out of 202 patients on the placebo vomited 24 hours after surgery compared with 42 out of 201 patients who took one gram of ginger one hour before anesthesia was administered. These results indicate that ginger does have a statistically significant positive effect on reducing post-surgery nausea. Even so, a study using standardized ginger and a larger population would be helpful to confirm these results.
Using ginger to reduce nausea can be helpful but it is important to use real ginger either fresh or as a root powder or extract. Many processed drinks and foods contain mostly ginger flavoring and not the real thing.
Source: Chaiyakunapruk, Nathorn, Nantawarn Kitikannakorn, Surakit Nathisuwan, Kittiboon Leeprakobboon, and Chutchai Leelasettagool. “The efficacy of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis.” American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 194, no. 1 (2006): 95-99.
2006 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Posted August 7, 2008.
References:
- See the Food Saftey Network website.
- Langner E, Greifenberg S, Gruenwald J. Ginger: history and use. Adv Ther 1998;15:25-44.
- Janngam J. The efficacy of ginger in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after intrathecal morphine for lower extremity surgery [master’s thesis]. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University; 2003.
- Bone M, Wilkinson DJ, Young JR, McNeil J, Charlton S. Ginger root-a new antiemetic, the effect of ginger root on postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynecological surgery. Anesthesia 1990;45:669-71.
- Yamahara JRH, Iwamoto M, Kobayashi G, Mutsuda H, Fujimura H. Active components of ginger exhibiting antiserotoninergic action. Phytother Res 1989;3:70-1.
- Ernst E, Pittler MH. Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systemic review of randomized controlled trials. Br J Anaesth 2000;84:367-71.
- Lumb AB. Mechanism of antiemetic effect of ginger. Anesthesia 1993;48:1118.
- See the Clinical Trials website.
- See the Clinical Trials website.
