For this topic I didn’t have to go out searching for examples when I am here myself.

Motion sickness was perhaps congenital for me. In my childhood, I would be nauseated in a 15 minute road journey and would create a racket for my parents. Some cousins accused my ‘psychology’ and told me that if I think “I won’t vomit” I won’t. I had to grow up and travel a lot to become more resistant to journeys but still my acidic stomach would occasionally give me away. After so many years now I know what keeps me away from nausea and vomiting (motion sickness).

• A good night’s sleep before any journey.
• No overeating the day before.
• No empty stomach in the morning. Take a light breakfast and my usual tablet for motion sickness.
• Cool air in the vehicle.
• Lots of candies.

I have always been on a low morale because of my motion sickness. When everybody is enjoying the journey I would be sticking to the window seat, controlling my breath and with my hands crossed. When I got married I had to go through difficult times while making those obligatory long journeys. I would break down as nausea is more traumatic than vomiting itself. I would eat pieces of ginger, smell lemons, skip meals, hoard plastic bags and what not!

Motion Sickness (Kinetosis)

Motion sickness refers to the dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting one may have during one’s travel by air, water or land. The sense of movement is received by the brain through the signals sent by the inner ears, eyes, muscles and joints. When there is a mismatch in the signals received by the brain you get sick. Your eyes or other parts of the body may not find yourself moving but your head and the inner ears feel it, then you are in trouble.

Where you sit can make a difference. The front seat of a car, forward cars of a train, upper deck on a boat or wing seats in a plane may give you a smoother ride. Looking out into the distance - instead of trying to read or look at something in the vehicle - can also help.

• Road journeys- Avoid heavy meal and drinking before travel.
• Be prepared to travel. No need of any anxiety or fear. Traveling is an exciting experience.
• Sitting in the front seat helps people with motion sickness as the front seat moves less than the back one. If it is a train, then get into the forward cars. Sit in the direction of the travel in a window seat.
• If you feel that your head movements make you feel dizzy or sick, rest your head on the head rest. Keep it still and avoid looking at the scenery outside or fast moving objects around. Forget videos until the journey is over. No reading too.
• Avoid coffee and strong spicy foods before any journey.
• Get good ventilation. Switch on your A/C.
• Consult your doctor for anti-vomiting or anti-nausea medications.
• Air journeys- Find a seat near the wings. Direct the air vent flow to your face to help ventilation.
• Do not take salty foods or dairy products prior to travel. Eat foods high in carbohydrates and preferably low in calories.
• Boat journeys- occupying a seat in the front or middle of the ship or on the upper deck can make a difference.
• If you are seated below the deck keep their eyes closed and concentrate on something nice and interesting. Engaging in a conversation can help.
• Passengers on the deck should fix their eyes on the horizon or visible land ahead.

You can keep motion sickness away by putting a candy in your mouth or by biting at a dry soda crackers. Ginger or peppermint works a great deal. Some prefer carrying some ginger ale along which can serve thirst and motion sickness.

-Aparna K V

Tags: alternative medicine, therapeutic, yoga, ayurvedic, native remedies

Ginger Spiced Health

Ginger is a rhizome which functions as a root as well as a stem to store the nutrients for the plant. This rhizome is a medicinally active form which has been used in India and other Asian countries since time immemorial to add flavor and spice in food. This culinary component is actually a herb with medicinal value and this is exploited in this article.

The main components of ginger which gives it a characteristic flavor and pungent taste are essential oils like zingiberone and poly phenols like gingerol and zingiberol. When heated or cooked for a long time, gingerol is converted to zingiberol. This reduces the pungent taste of ginger and also adds a sweet aroma to the food. Some dried ginger also called ‘sunth’ is an important ingredient in many Asian dishes.

Some therapeutic actions of ginger

1. Ginger is an important digestive agent a sit increases the secretion of saliva by stimulating the salivary glands. Thus right from the time food is chewed, the action of ginger starts to enable the process of digestion. This can be explained. As the saliva secretion is stimulated, the food is acted upon by amylase and other enzymes which are present in saliva to digest the proteins.
2. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory agent. Hence it is used to treat disorders of the bowel where inflammation takes place like inflammatory bowel disease. Some types of diarrhea, specially in children is also cured by ginger.
3. Arthritis is another inflammatory disease affecting the joints. By acting as an anti inflammatory and reducing the autoimmune symptoms of the illness, ginger helps in reducing pain and swelling in arthritis.
4. Muscle spasms are also reduced by ginger. This is helpful in treatment of dyspepsia and diarrhea.
5. Nausea and motion sickness are also improved by ginger. Perhaps this is the reason why travelers commonly keep ginger drops or ginger candy in their travel bags. The antinauseatic action is also helpful for pregnant ladies who experience gastric irritation and nausea sensations during the first trimester and sometimes even later.
6. Cough and congestion are also readily improved by consistent use of ginger. The phlegm in the lungs is readily removed or pushed out of the lungs due to the expectorant action of ginger.
7. Asthma patients also feel a relief when ginger is used regularly. This is because the bronc ho spasms are reduced and there is a dilatation of the bronchi reducing the constrictions.
8. Sometimes fever is also reduced and controlled by the increase in body temperature on consuming ginger and aiding perspiration.

Honey and ginger

Honey is another natural product which aids in passing on the benefits of ginger to the body. It diffuses and sometimes dissolves the active constituents of ginger and helps in faster relief of symptoms of diseases when ginger is consumed with honey. Typically ginger is grated and squeezed into honey. Typically, one teaspoonful of ginger secretions is mixed with one teaspoon of honey for added benefits. Another alternative of consuming honey-ginger mix is to prepare tea concoction and add ginger while boiling. Then honey can be added as a sweetener.

Some preparations of ginger

• Ginger pickle
• Ginger jam or marmalade
• Gingerale or ginger squash
• Lemon ginger syrup
• Ginger in tea
• Ginger in pulses, vegetables and curries
• Ginger candies
• Ginger mouthwash

Tags: homeopathic, chinese, alternative, diabetes, weight loss

Ginger is a spice which has traditional medicinal value. In fact Indian and Chinese civilizations have been taking advantage of ginger since ages. Most of the Indian recipes have ginger in one form or the other. It has long been known as a very healthy food. It has anti-cancer properties and is recognised as healthy by both modern and ancient systems of medicine. Have a read to see why you should start eating more ginger.

What gives Ginger medicinal value?

Ginger is scientifically called Zingiber officinalis and this is a rhizome as discussed in the case of Turmeric earlier. This rhizome has volatile oils and compounds which impart medical properties as well as taste and odor to the rhizome. The aromatic constituents of ginger are zingiberene and bisabolene. The other constituents which give ginger a pungent taste are gingerols and shogaols. These stimulate the digestive system and impart characteristic taste and flavor. These active constituents are in form of phenols and complexes in form of flavanoids which impart their properties.

The other active ingredient in ginger is terpenes and an oleoresin, which is called ginger oil. These active agents are responsible for its antiseptic qualities, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating and mild constipation relief. Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver.

Ginger in ayurveda

Ayurveda acts by correcting the energies within the body to suit the environment outside and maintaining this balance. Energies within the body are either hot or