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Ginger has been used in cooking and traditional Asian medicinal practice for thousands of years.

The Chinese are the first recorded users of ginger for health purposes. They regularly gave ginger to help with digestive disorders, diarrhea, and nausea.

Ginger's use as a digestive aid has continued through the centuries leading to the development of popular foods like gingerbread, ginger ale, and ginger snaps. All had their beginnings as digestive aids.

Science supports the use of ginger as a digestive aid.

Studies that began in the 1980's have confirmed Ginger's value in treating a variety of digestive problems. Other possible applications are also being explored.

Studies showed that taking ginger helped move food through the stomach and intestine. This movement may provide relief to those who experience bloating, pressure, and slow digestion.

As an added benefit, ginger may help fight potentially harmful intestinal bacteria like staphylococcus and E. coli. At the same time ginger encourages the growth of the helpful bacteria Lactobacillus. It can also help kill certain parasites.

Because of its antibacterial properties ginger may help reduce the occurrence of ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori. It accomplishes this by increasing the stomach's protective components limiting the ulcer's ability to develop.

It has also been taken to loosen phlegm, relieve gas and heartburn, and tighten the tissues, although its effectiveness for these purposes hasn't been proven. Ginger may also ease sore throats, headaches, ulcerative colitis, some types of menstrual and arthritis pain, and fevers and aches caused by colds and flu.

Other traditional uses for ginger, such as for relieving toothaches, have not been proven by clinical studies. More research is needed for these and other possible uses of ginger.

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Ginger is also used frequently to counteract nausea and vomiting. Individuals suffering from motion sickness found relief taking 500 mg of ginger two or three times a day. While some prescription medicines may provide greater relief than ginger, they often are also accompanied by unwanted side effects like dry mouth or drowsiness. These do not occur with ginger.

Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting have also traditionally responded well to ginger. Excessive ginger can have negative results so pregnant women should consult with a health care professional prior to using.

Ginger may assist in other areas of health as well. Some cholesterol lowering benefit may be gained as ginger impairs the absorption of cholesterol, instead helping convert it to bile acids and eliminating it from the body. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties.

In some osteoarthritis patients ginger helped reduce knee and hip pain. Ginger also appears to thin the blood and improve circulation.