Ginger for migraines

Ginger is a plant with leafy stems and yellowish green flowers. The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant. Ginger is native to warmer parts of Asia, such as China, Japan, and India, but now is grown in parts of South American and Africa. It is also now grown in the Middle East to use as medicine and with food.

Ginger is commonly used for various types of “stomach problems,” including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea caused by HIV/AIDS treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite.

• Ginger contains chemicals that may reduce nausea and inflammation. Researchers believe the chemicals work primarily in the stomach and intestines, but they may also work in the brain and nervous system to control nausea.
• Other uses include pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, menstrual pain, and other conditions. However, there is not strong evidence to support the use of ginger for these conditions.
• Some people pour the fresh juice on their skin to treat burns. The oil made from ginger is sometimes applied to the skin to relieve pain. Ginger extract is also applied to the skin to prevent insect bites.
• In foods and beverages, ginger is used as a flavoring agent.
• In manufacturing, ginger is used as for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
• One of the chemicals in ginger is also used as an ingredient in laxative, anti-gas, and antacid medications.
Ginger Root for Migraines
According to Dr Michael Greger.

Research has shown that ginger powder can play a huge role in curbing migraine attacks: taking a half teaspoon of ginger in a little warm water at the onset of a

Migraine attack has been shown to be as effective as taking sumatriptan, a commonly prescribed Migraine medication.
A double-blinded, randomized, controlled, clinical trial compared the efficacy of ginger to sumatriptan, also known as Imitrex, one of the top-selling billion-dollar drugs in the world in the treatment of migraine headaches. Researchers tried using only one-eighth of a teaspoon of powdered ginger versus a good dose of the drug. They both worked just as well and just as fast.
Most patients started out in moderate or severe pain but, after taking the ginger or the drug, ended up in mild pain or completely pain-free. The same proportion of migraine sufferers reported satisfaction with the results either way.  People taking sumatriptan reported dizziness, a sedative effect, vertigo, and heartburn. The only thing reported for ginger was an upset tummy in about 1 out of 25 people. (As a note of caution, taking a whole tablespoon of ginger powder at one time on an empty stomach could irritate anyone’s stomach.)
Avoiding aspartame and using lavender may also help If you have cluster headaches, ask your physician about capsaicin
At the first sign of a migraine coming on, you can try this:
1. Mix one-eighth of a teaspoon of powdered ginger or one tablespoon of fresh grated ginger in warm water.
2. Drink it and see if your migraine lessens or goes away within a half hour.
Is fresh ginger better than ground ginger?
The medicinal uses of ginger derive from its rich content of phytonutrients called gingerols, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Ground ginger is more widely available and convenient to use than the fresh root but has lower levels of gingerol. … Look for ground ginger that has not undergone irradiation.