Ginger for Sea Sickness

The connection between being out at sea and experiencing nausea comes down to the very meaning of the word. Nausea comes from the Greek word meaning "ship." Drugstore solutions offering relief from nausea come with unpleasant side effects. Alternative health experts, however, agree that ginger (fresh or extract) is a safe remedy without any side effects. If you are prone to motion or sea sickness, pack some ginger tea or extract before your next trip.

Motion Sickness Defined

Though motion sickness is characterized by the experience of nausea, the problem does not stem from the stomach. Motion sickness is the result of the disturbance of the inner ear by the repeated motion of the swell of the sea or the motion of a car. The proposed explanation is that the brain is not able to coordinate all the information correctly when there is unintended movement. Motion sickness is complex, and so this is only a theory. Symptoms of motion sickness include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sweating.

Conventional Treatment Versus Ginger

In "The Green Pharmacy," James Dukes mentions common agents used in conventional medicine to treat motion sickness symptoms. Drugstores offer remedies that feature dimenhydrinate, which causes drowsiness and makes a person feel dopey. There is also a Transderm Scop patch available. This remedy is made with scopolamine, which is a compound with side effects that include possible hallucinations and convulsions.
Dukes further explains that in a study comparing dimenhydrinate and ginger, researchers found that ginger worked twice as long as the dimenhydrinate. Authors of "Herbal Remedies" also conclude that ginger is a well-researched remedy for motion-sickness-related nausea.

How to Take Ginger

If you are planning to travel, it is best to take ginger tea or extract before the beginning of the trip. Duke recommends taking two capsules of ginger 30 minutes before departure.
To make a stomach settler tea, chop up two inches of ginger and add it to boiling water. Then stir in dashes of chamomile, fennel, orange peel and peppermint.
If you own a juicer, you can make refreshing and invigorating ginger drink with two apples, one pear and a one-inch piece of ginger. Another delicious variation includes four carrots, one apple and a one-inch piece of ginger.
Ginger ale is also effective, but it must be made with real ginger.
More recipes and tips can be found in "The Green Pharmacy."

Ginger Dosage and Restrictions

When taking ginger, one should follow the manufacturer's instructions.
For fresh or dried ginger, the authors of "Herbal Remedies" dictate the following: 2 to 4 grams of fresh ginger per day and 1 oz. maximum per week, 1 to 2 grams of dried ginger per day and oz. maximum per week.
The maximum dose for pregnant women is 2 grams per day. If taking anti-coagulants, only 2 grams (dried) and 4 grams (fresh) is allowed per day.

Other Precautions

Ginger primarily alleviates nausea. Some people find it impossible to eliminate all their motion sickness symptoms. Additional precautions need to be taken, such as the avoidance of alcohol and foods that are spicy or high in fat. Also, make sure to sit in a place where you can experience the least amount of motion.