Ginger is a very popular folk remedy in many cultures. As a child in China, I was given ginger in a variety of forms, including tea for coughs and colds. Ginger is said to take up and absorb stomach acid and soothe the nerves.
The active constituents of the plant stimulate digestion and absorption but also exert a calming effect on the digestive tract. Ginger relieves constipation, cramps, and flatulence by gently increasing muscular activity in the digestive tract. Regular consumption has been proved to prevent gastritis.
Ginger has a well-documented healing action on nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, morning sickness of pregnancy, postoperative vomiting, and drug-induced nausea. Unlike other antinausea preparations, which are mainly antihistamines, ginger acts directly on the digestive tract, relaxing its smooth muscles and relieving cramps and tension in the muscles of the gastric capillaries. This facilitates relaxation of the stomach, stimulates circulation to it, improves digestive activity, and prevents gastric irritation.
In one study on motion sickness, 36 volunteer subjects were divided into a placebo group, an antihistamine group, and a ginger group. They were then spun around in a swived chair. The average times that subjects could remain in the chair were 90 seconds for the placebo group. 216 seconds for the antihistamine group, and 336 seconds for the ginger group. Clearly, ginger won the seasick remedy contest. Other studies have backed up these findings, including some using seasick Marine cadets and others.
Researches at the University of Minnesota reported that an enzyme found in papaya eased gas pain by improving the body's ability to digest protein. In additional, they studied the impact of zingibain, the enzyme found in ginger, which appears to promote digestion. Both worked well, although it took 180 times more papain to equal the impact of the ginger enzyme.
Here is one simple remedy to alleviate acid reflux using ginger: take two gingerroot capsules available commercially. Or drink as tea. Add one-half to one teaspoon of shredded ginger to a cup of boiling water. Strain after ten minutes and drink. Or instead of ginger, substitute two teaspoons of anise, fennel, or dill seeds to make tea.