She recommends boiling sliced gingerroot in water, then adding honey and lemon to taste. If it s just an upset stomach or a woozy feeling that s unsettling your gut, you may want to turn to ginger . Two of the herb s active ingredients, gingerol and shogaol, help combat nausea, whether it s caused by flu, motion sickness, or the surging hormones of early pregnancy, says William Page-Echols, D.O., an assistant clinical professor of family medicine who teaches alternative medicine at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing. Zingiber officinale . Arthritis, indigestion, intermittent claudication, phlebitis, muscle soreness, heartburn, diarrhea, and nausea, including morning sickness and motion sickness.
Fresh ginger is safe when used to season food.
Do not use the dried root or powder if you have gallstones. This makes it a safe alternative for pregnant women battling morning sickness. But you may need to experiment to find a dosage that works for you, says Dr. Page-Echols. Be sure to talk to your doctor first. Motion sickness drugs act on the central nervous system, so some researchers believe that gingerol and shogaol work in the same way.