Ginger as an Effective Cure for Headaches
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Defined Tag: Headache Remedy.

Ginger as an Effective Cure for Headaches
 
Ginger (Zingibero officinale) has been used as traditional medicine for thousands of years. It is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine.  Ayurvedic is Sanskrit for "science of life".  Its ancient healing system is currently enjoying a renaissance as more people all over the world are exploring a more holistic approach to attaining good health.

It was Marishi Mahesh Yogi who introduced Ayurvedic medicine to the West when he founded the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program, which in turn gained world popularity with his involvement with the famous Beatles. Recently, Ayurvedic teachings regained the interest of many Westerners via the works of Deepak Chopra, an Indian medical doctor and writer.

Ginger is primarily used in treating upset stomach but it is also getting widely accepted as an effective cure for headaches.  Many health care professionals recognize the efficacy of ginger and endorse its use to treat headaches.

How Ginger Cures Headaches

The exact process of how ginger alleviates headaches remains unexplained. However, the positive effects of ginger are attributed to ginger's anti-inflammatory property. Ginger appears to prevent the inflammation of blood vessels. Headaches occur when enlarged blood vessels pinch on the surrounding nerves.  When ginger is taken at the onset of a headache, ginger quickly inhibits the blood vessels from swelling, the nerves are instantly relieved of the pressure and the headache is gone. The only conclusive observation is the reduced frequency and severity of headaches when treated with ginger.

Nausea is a common symptom of migraine and headaches. There has been a growing interest in the use of ginger to quell nausea and control motion sickness. In fact, in a study published in 1982 by The Lancet, a British medical magazine, ginger has been found to be twice more effective than Dramamine in preventing motion sickness and nausea. Ginger is known to act directly on the digestive system, thereby reducing nausea and vomiting. Ginger provides relief when taken immediately at the onset of a migraine, especially if it starts with strong nausea or vertigo.

Tests were made in Denmark to look into the benefits that arthritic patients can gain from ginger. Said study reported that adding ginger to the patients’ diet resulted in a reduction of their aches and swelling by as much as 75%. Again, this is a confirmation of the anti-inflammatory property of ginger considering that inflammation is a condition related to migraine. On a side note, the researchers observed the absence of colds among the test subjects, which indicates a positive side effect of the ginger treatment.
 
Contraindications for Ginger

While ginger seems to be the ideal treatment for migraines and headaches, it is not advisable for you to take ginger under the following conditions:

* If you're suffering from gallstones.  Ginger can prompt the gall bladder to release bile.

* If you're pregnant. Although ginger is recommended to combat morning sickness, it has not been conclusively proven to be a safe medication during pregnancy.

*  If you're taking blood-thinners like Aspirin, Warfarin or Heparin. Ginger prevents blood cells from clumping.

*  If you have heart ailments or are taking any medications specifically for your heart condition.

* If you're diabetic or taking medication intended to control your blood sugar level. Ginger supplements may have high sugar content.

*  If you're already taking other supplements such as garlic, which thins the blood.

Taking Ginger

If you want to try ginger treatment for your headaches, it would be best for you to first consult with a physician to be sure it's safe for you, especially if you have other medical concerns. Ginger is available in different forms. There are ginger tablets and capsules as well as ginger tea, ginger tincture and ginger paste.

A word of caution at this point. If you begin taking ginger in one form, refrain from taking it in another form at the same time. An example would be taking ginger capsules and wanting to switch to ginger tea. Do stop the ginger capsules totally before starting to consume ginger tea. Making a clear cut switch from one form to another will enable you to monitor the amount of your ginger consumption and preclude any possibility of overdose. Indications of ginger overdose are sleepiness, confusion, dizziness and erratic heartbeat.

Precaution

The FDA has not performed any review on ginger for safety and effectiveness as medication for headaches. Production of ginger products is not regulated by any government agency so use these products with care. Be wary where you purchase your ginger supplements. There have been reports of contaminated ginger products being sold in the market. Therefore, purchase your supply only from reputable sources.

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