Ginger has long
been known to help with nausea, from motion sickness to pregnancy. A recent study from the University of
Rochester showed that ginger capsules significantly reduced nausea severity due
to chemotherapy, and that anticipatory nausea was a key factor in the severity
of the problem for patients.
Working with mice, researchers in
Taiwan found that an extract of ginger blocked the toxin responsible for diarrhea
caused by toxic strains of E. coli, which causes millions of cases of
diarrhea worldwide each year, and many infant deaths in poor countries.
If confirmed by further
studies, the findings could lead to an inexpensive, easy-to-obtain alternative
to drug therapy for the condition, the researchers say. Additional studies
are needed to determine the effective doses of ginger needed and whether it is
safe for infants, who may experience unexpected side effects from large doses.
Researchers at Columbia University shows purified components
of ginger may have properties that help asthma patients breathe more
easily. Asthma is characterized by bronchoconstriction, a tightening of
the bronchial tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. Bronchodilating
medications (beta-agonists) work by relaxing the airway’s smooth muscle tissues.
This study looked at whether specific components of ginger could help enhance
the relaxing effects of bronchodilators. They found that ginger constituents
6-gingerol, 8-gingerol and 6-shogaol act synergistically with the β-agonist in
relaxing the airway’s smooth muscles. The researchers at
Columbia plan future studies to get a better understanding of the cellular
mechanisms involved and to determine whether aerosol delivery of purified
constituents of ginger may have therapeutic benefit in asthma and other
bronchoconstrictive diseases.
For centuries, ginger root has been
used as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments such as colds and upset
stomachs. But now, researchers at the University of Georgia have found that
daily ginger consumption also reduces muscle pain caused by exercise. Researchers
directed two studies examining the effects of 11 days of raw and heat-treated
ginger supplementation on muscle pain. Participants in the studies, 34 and 40
volunteers, respectively, consumed capsules containing two grams of either raw
or heat-treated ginger or a placebo for 11 consecutive days. On the eighth day
they performed 18 extensions of the elbow flexors with a heavy weight to induce
moderate muscle injury to the arm. Arm function, inflammation, pain and a
biochemical involved in pain were assessed prior to and for three days after
exercise. The studies showed that daily ginger use reduced the
exercise-induced pain by 25 percent, and this effect was not enhanced by
heat-treating the ginger.
News from Women on Web
Since abortion is totally
illegal in Poland, Women on Web people in Germany are sending medical abortion
pills across the border by drone.
Apparently the senders and receivers are in visual contact. In Brazil, and other Latin American countries
where abortion is illegal and/or inaccessible, Women on Web is making medical
abortion pills available – by mail – at greatly reduced rates or free if
necessary. Many pregnant women are
terrified by the problem of microcephaly due to the zika virus. Medical abortions must be done in the
first 9 weeks. You can support the
work of Women on Web or Women on Waves if you are so inclined. They give accurate information and have
saved many women from dangerous, do-it-yourself abortion attempts.
Sadja Greenwood, MD, MPH
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