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Research: BETZ and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 125
Abstract
BETZ and co-authors, Klinik fur Anasthesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Klinik am Eichert, Goppingen, Germany, have reviewed (48 references) ginger as an antiemetic agent.
Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of ginger (Zingiber officinale) as an antiemetic.
Methodology
A systematic search of the literature was performed using the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane-Library.
Results
Of 100 relevant published reports, 24 randomized controlled trials were evaluated, covering a total of 1073 patients. Of these reports, 16 contained information regarding the antiemetic activity of ginger against kinetosis, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and morning sickness, respectively. Only a few studies were eligible for a quantitative meta-analysis. To analyze the potential side effects of the drug, 15 reports with 777 patients were eligible. Of these, 3.3% suffered from slight side effects, mainly mild gastrointestinal symptoms and sleepiness, both not requiring specific treatments. One severe adverse event was reported in a study: an abortion occurred in the 12th week of gestation. However, a total of 136 patients were treated with ginger within the first trimester of pregnancy without complications.
Conclusion
There is no definitive evidence for the efficacy of ginger in the treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting and of kinetosis. The results for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are encouraging. Applied in daily doses up to 6 g, ginger seems to be a drug with few side effects.
References
Betz O, Kranke P, Geldner G, Wulf H, Eberhart LH. Is ginger a clinically relevant antiemetic? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Forschende Komplementarmedizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde 12 (1): 14-23, Feb 2005.
