Nov 13
Between 50 and 80 percent of women experience nausea and vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy. Many complementary and alternative therapies are perceived to be safe and are used by many pregnant women, but little is known about their relative effectiveness. At least three randomized controlled trials have found ginger to be more effective than placebo in short-term trials. No adverse effects were apparent for mother or baby; however, animal studies have associated ginger with early embryo loss and accelerated growth in surviving embryos. Smith and colleagues compared ginger with vitamin [B.sub.6] in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in women before the 16th week of pregnancy.
The study included women attending an Australian teaching hospital for obstetric care. Participants were women with nausea or vomiting who were at eight to 16 weeks’ gestation as confirmed by ultrasonography. Women were excluded from the study if they had any signs of dehydration or indications of other pathology causing nausea or vomiting or if they had a known allergy to ginger or vitamin [B.sub.6]. The 291 women were randomly allocated to receive ginger (350 mg) or vitamin [B.sub.6] (25 mg) three times daily for three weeks. The two preparations appeared identical, and participants and physicians were blinded to treatment allocation. All women provided demographic and health status information plus a standardized index of nausea and vomiting before randomization. Health status and the nausea/vomiting index were reassessed at days 7, 14, and 21. Data also were gathered concerning side effects and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The 146 women randomized to receive ginger were comparable with the 145 women assigned to receive vitamin [B.sub.6]. At the end of the three-week trial, 82 percent of participants had completed and returned their data. Both treatments were effective in reducing symptoms. The two treatments appeared to be equivalent in overall scores and in the proportion of women reporting freedom from symptoms. Improvements were reported by 68 women (53 percent) receiving ginger compared with 69 women (55 percent) receiving vitamin [B.sub.6]. Women reported tolerating both medicines well, but belching was significantly more common with ginger (9 percent compared with zero percent). Dry retching after swallowing the tablet was reported by about one half of the women in each group. Pregnancy complications and outcomes were similar in the two treatment groups.
The authors conclude that ginger reduces nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy and is comparable in effect to vitamin [B.sub.6].
Smith C, et al. A randomized controlled trial of ginger to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol April 2004;103:639-45.
Anne D. Walling
COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
Oct 16
Nanthakomon T, Pongrojpaw D.
Department of Obstetrics and Gyecology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Bangkok 12120, Thailand.
OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of ginger in prevention of nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Double blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thammasat University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From March 2005 to April 2006, 120 patients who underwent major gynecologic surgery were randomized into group A (n = 60) and group B (n = 60). The patients in group A received two capsules of ginger taken one hour before the procedure (one capsule contains 0.5 gram of ginger powder). The patients in group B received the placebo. The visual analog nausea score (VANS) and frequency of vomiting were evaluated at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the operation. RESULTS: The results demonstrated the statistically significant differences in nausea between group A (48.3%) and group B (66.7%). The VANS was lower in group A compared to group B at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours. The most statistically significant differences occurred at 2 and 6 hour. The incidence and frequency of vomiting in group A were lower than group B. Side effects caused by ginger were not detected. CONCLUSION: Ginger has efficacy in prevention of nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery.
PMID: 17725149 [PubMed - in process]
Oct 16
Volunteers are being sought for a study into the medical powers of ginger.
Scientists at Reading University are looking for 36 men and women for a study of the powers of the ginger root, a traditional herbal medicine.
The warming effect of other herbs, such as mustard and chilli, has been linked to increased metabolic rate and better circulation to hands and feet.
Although ginger is said to have a similar effect, this has not yet been properly investigated.
Dr Ann Walker, a lecturer in human nutrition and leading the ‘Thermogin’ study, said: “Ginger is a favourite herb used by herbal practitioners to warm cold hands and feet, but it also has many other uses.
“It can help with minor digestive problems, and has been shown to reduce inflammation in the joints.”
The researchers are looking for healthy individuals between 18 and 40 years old, and in particular people who suffer from cold hands and feet.
This is a reprint from BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/berkshire/3831241.stm
