Ginger is commonly used in the Ayurvedic and Tibb systems of medicine for the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis. The aromatic principles include zingiberene and bisabolene, while the pungent principles are known as gingerols and shogaols. Classified as an aromatic bitter, it stimulates digestion. It also keeps the intestinal muscles toned. This action eases the transport of substances through the digestive tract, lessening irritation to the intestinal walls.
Research is inconclusive as to how ginger acts to alleviate nausea.
Ginger may act directly on the gastrointestinal system or it may affect the part of the central nervous system that causes nausea. It may be that ginger exerts a dual effect in reducing nausea and vomiting. Like garlic, ginger makes blood platelets less sticky and less likely to aggregate, although not all human research has confirmed this. This action reduces a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. For treatment of nausea, people try single doses of approximately 250 mg every two to three hours, for a total of 1 gram per day.