Thread: Ginger for ms?

Ms has been kicking my butt hardcore, with DS I had absolutely no ms at all. I've heard that ginger root can help so I bought some ginger root capsules but i havent tried them yet. Has anyone tried this or discussed it with their doctor?

I bought seabands and a morning sickness formula which contained ginger root and B6. The seabands help a lot but for me the ms formula did absolutely nothing that is just me though...

I think give it a go!

Ginger can definitely help a lot! I haven't heard of the capsules working as much as real ginger candy, real ginger, and soda made with real ginger.

I tried ginger ale and it didn't help much so I'm thinking that the capsules probably won't help me at all, I guess I'll just return them and try to buy some fresh ginger to chew on. Where do they sell ginger candy at?

Trader Joe's carries real ginger candy, and the big Asian markets in our city generally carry a Malaysian ginger candy which pretty much single-handedly got me through my pregnancy with DD.

Be careful with the ginger capsules. While ginger in candy, tea, or food is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) during pregnancy, there is some concern that taking large doses of concentrated ginger (like in capsules) could cause a miscarriage. The APA says,

This is a prime example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating. We know that rosemary sprinkled in your tomato sauce is not a risk to you and your baby. If you were to use Rosemary in a large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, it could be dangerous for your pregnancy. The same goes for herbs such as Garlic, Sage, Ginger and Tumeric. All of these herbs could be contraindicated in pregnancy when used in large or concentrated doses, but are considered safe when used in amounts found in food.

Eeek thanks for that harmony, I'm pleased I've stopped taking it.

Mandy, lots of pregnant women take ginger capsules, and most of them don't miscarry. From what I understand, there are very few herbs/medications that are truly dangerous to take during pregnancy - the class X type drugs, or herbs like pennyroyal, which has traditionally been used for abortions, or black cohash, which is used to induce labor.

It's like the difference between saying you could get very sick from eating raw eggs (1/20,000), vs the risks of getting very sick from eating blowfish (abt 1/80). One is a risk, the other is a danger. YKWIM?

ETA: Obviously we try not to take a lot of risks while pregnant, so I just wanted to be sure everyone knew that ginger is considered a miscarriage risk. But I didn't want to make anyone feel guilty or scared about it, either!

I had read that too, thanks for the info. I just feel totally useless right now from the ms. The closest trader joes is like an hour away, but DH works up there so I'll see if hr can pick me up some on his way home Monday.

Originally Posted by harmonybear

Mandy, lots of pregnant women take ginger capsules, and most of them don't miscarry. From what I understand, there are very few herbs/medications that are truly dangerous to take during pregnancy - the class X type drugs, or herbs like pennyroyal, which has traditionally been used for abortions, or black cohash, which is used to induce labor.

It's like the difference between saying you could get very sick from eating raw eggs (1/20,000), vs the risks of getting very sick from eating blowfish (abt 1/80). One is a risk, the other is a danger. YKWIM?

ETA: Obviously we try not to take a lot of risks while pregnant, so I just wanted to be sure everyone knew that ginger is considered a miscarriage risk. But I didn't want to make anyone feel guilty or scared about it, either!

I totally get what you mean, I find it hard to go ahead and do/eat anything that is suggestaed to me as a risk just for the reason that if I do miscarry I want to know that I did everything 'right' (in my mind). I was also pretty clueless when I was pregnant with DD, I drank energy drinks and ate everything i wasn't supposed to...I kinda want to do things right this time since I actually know better. That is just me and in no way am i saying everyone should avoid all risks that they are aware of when they are pregnant...

Angela- can you see a dr.? I know how you feel, I am pretty useless right now too.... poor DH, it's like he's become a single parent with 3 kids to look after already...

personally, ginger makes me more yacky. I have found that vit. B6 does a pretty good job. With DD preggy pops did the trick. With DS2 it was mint (flavored shakes were the best). This time I have found that if I'm out and about to keep some peanut butter m&m's in my pocket. Having one kinda melt in my mouth seems to help. Now, none of these things completely take it away. And, I'm pretty useless, still. I am just hoping that the next 3.5 weeks or so bring some relief. I call the 2nd trimester the blessed trimester