Remedy 2: Ginger

Remedy 2: Ginger

What is it?

Ginger tea is the most-studied tea form for period cramps. It is recommended along with other remedies and interventions to relieve period cramps. Most clinical trials use dried ginger instead of fresh, as it provides a more concentrated and standardized dose.¹

Regimen:

• When - Begin 3 days before your expected period and continue through the first 3 days of bleeding

• How much - Drink 2 cups per day

• Quantity - 750 mg of dry ginger (about ¼ teaspoon); Or 4 g of fresh ginger (about 1 tsp grated)

• How to make - Boil 1 cup of water; Add the exact ginger quantity; Simmer for 10 minutes; Strain and drink; Add honey or lemon for taste if needed

How does it work?

During periods, the body releases chemicals called prostaglandins. These help the uterus contract so it can shed its lining. But when there's too much prostaglandin, the cramps become painful and intense. It can also cause inflammation and nausea.

Ginger blocks the enzymes the body uses to make prostaglandins. That means fewer cramps, less pain, and reduced inflammation.²

What is the efficacy?

Ginger for period cramps relief has been studied in multiple studies. For example:

Method: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted. The study was based on a sample of one hundred and twenty students with moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea. The students were all residents of the dormitories of Shahed University. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups, one for ginger and the other for placebo in two different treatment protocols with monthly intervals. The ginger and placebo groups in both protocols received 500 mg capsules of ginger root powder or placebo three times a day. In the first protocol, ginger and placebo were given two days before the onset of the menstrual period and continued through the first three days of the menstrual period. In the second protocol, ginger and placebo were given only for the first three days of the menstrual period. Severity of pain was determined by a verbal multidimensional scoring system and a visual analogue scale.

Results: There was no difference in the baseline characteristics of the two groups (placebo n = 46, ginger n = 56). The results of this study showed that there were significant differences in the severity of pain between ginger and placebo groups for protocol one (P = 0.015) and protocol two (P = 0.029). There was also a significant difference in duration of pain between the two groups for protocol one (P = 0.017) but not for protocol two (P = 0.210).

Conclusion: Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in students with ginger for 5 days had a statistically significant effect on relieving the intensity and duration of pain.²

References

1. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. No. 345-Primary Dysmenorrhea Consensus Guideline [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): SOGC; 2017. Available from: http://medi-guide.meditool.cn/ymtpdf/DB1F12EB-1AB3-4109-A70D-EE6083682539.pdf

1. Rahnama P, Montazeri A, Huseini HF, Kianbakht S, Naseri M. Effect of Zingiber officinale R. rhizomes (ginger) on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a placebo randomized trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12:92.