Ginger compounds may be effective in treating asthma symptoms, study suggests

American Thoracic Society (ATS)/Science Daily ^ | May 19, 2013 | Elizabeth Townsend

[ConservativeMind]

Gourmands and foodies everywhere have long recognized ginger as a great way to add a little peppery zing to both sweet and savory dishes; now, a study from researchers at Columbia University shows purified components of the spicy root also may have properties that help asthma patients breathe more easily.

Asthma is characterized by bronchoconstriction, a tightening of the bronchial tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. Bronchodilating medications called beta-agonists (β-agonists) are among the most common types of asthma medications and work by relaxing the airway smooth muscle (ASM) tissues. This study looked at whether specific components of ginger could help enhance the relaxing effects of bronchodilators.

"Asthma has become more prevalent in recent years, but despite an improved understanding of what causes asthma and how it develops, during the past 40 years few new treatment agents have been approved for targeting asthma symptoms," said lead author Elizabeth Townsend, PhD, post-doctoral research fellow in the Columbia University Department of Anesthesiology. "In our study, we demonstrated that purified components of ginger can work synergistically with β-agonists to relax ASM."

To conduct their study, the researchers took human ASM tissue samples and caused the samples to contract by exposing them to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitting compound that causes bronchoconstriction. Next, the researchers mixed the β-agonist isoproterenol with three separate components of ginger: 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol or 6-shogaol. Contracted tissue samples were exposed to each of these three mixtures as well as unadulterated isoproterenol and the relaxation responses were recorded and compared.

At the conclusion of their study, the researchers found that tissues treated with the combination of purified ginger components and isoproterenol exhibited significantly greater relaxation than those treated only with isoproterenol; of the three ginger components, 6-shogaol appeared most effective in increasing the relaxing effects of the β-agonist.

[SunkenCiv]

I’ve noticed that the Altoid ginger mints (hard to find sometimes) do a nice job when I’m stuffed up, which is usually.

[lee martell]

I have heard this before, but I didn’t experience any improvement when I tried some Ginger supplements for my asthma. Maybe I was doin it wrong.
Anyone else try Ginger to treat their asthma?

I don’t mean Red Heads, and I don’t mean the puppy Ginger, the one who Snaps. Get it?
What do you mean ‘My Day Job’?

[Fungi]

Ginger is good for everything, including cooking with. Have a sore throat? Take a raw piece of ginger and chew on it for a few minutes and the pain is gone.

[be-baw]

Ginger “may” have a lot of health benefits. I thought about making ginger tea when I had a problem with chronic nausea a couple years ago. I didn’t because it’s too hot for my delicate palate.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger:
11 Proven Health Benefits of Ginger

[Jonty30]

So, we have to eat red heads now?

[clearcarbon]

I like to keep an extra bottle of ginger ale around the house for medicinal use.

[doorgunner69]

Ginger “may” have a lot of health benefits.

Many moons/decades ago, at my favorite Cantonese restaurant, our waiter would tell us the after dinner candied ginger were digestion benefits. Heck, I was there for the fortune and almond cookies.

Who was I to question Chines wisdom from a guy old enough to be my grandfather?

[be-baw]

When I was a kid and we got sick, my mother would give us Vernors. It always seemed to help.

[LilFarmer]

This worked for me recently. I was coming down with something and it started making me feel wheezy. I made some ginger tea - simmered sliced fresh ginger in water for 10 mins, added lemon juice and honey to taste. Made my breathing so much easier. The ginger also helps the nausea I get from draining sinuses.

Also, I added about 1/2 oz of whiskey to this tea at night and slept wonderfully.

[thinden]

Thanx be-baw

[IndianChief]

Anyone else try Ginger to treat their asthma?

In traditional Indian medicine, ginger is used to treat colds, asthma besides many other things. Often Ginger juice is freshly extracted and mixed with a little fresh lemon juice and honey. Dried ginger powder too is frequently used.

[Hatteras]

I still prefer Mary Ann...

[Notthereyet]

“What do you mean ‘My Day Job’?”
______________________________________

LOL

[gattaca]

Thanks for posting.

[Albion Wilde]

Back in the 50s and 60s, our moms always gave us ginger ale when we had a cold. That and Vicks (eucalyptus) did the trick.

I’ve become a fan of the newer, stronger ginger “beers.” The ones from the tropical West Indies store near us are the best. They also stock ginger tea.

[ConservativeMind]

According to ConsumerLab:

“The product which provided gingerols at the lowest cost was Organic India Ginger, a loose ginger powder ($10.50 for a 16 oz bag) providing 6.7 mg of gingerols per ¼ teaspoon (600 mg).

If you prefer a pill, the best option is Natures’ Way Ginger Root. A two-capsule daily serving gives you 1,100 mg of ginger powder for 10 cents, providing 14.5 mg of gingerols.”

[Svartalfiar]

This worked for me recently. I was coming down with something and it started making me feel wheezy. I made some ginger tea - simmered sliced fresh ginger in water for 10 mins, added lemon juice and honey to taste. Made my breathing so much easier. The ginger also helps the nausea I get from draining sinuses.

Also, I added about 1/2 oz of whiskey to this tea at night and slept wonderfully.

Adding a whole clove or two of garlic is a good addition as well. If you like strong garlic, slice or mash it. You can also add rosemary or dried lavender, both are good when you're not feeling well.