The benefits and harms of ginger during pregnancy, can it be consumed, possible contraindications

During pregnancy, women have to carefully review their menu, since many familiar foods are prohibited. You can use ginger during pregnancy, but only with the permission of a doctor, in limited quantities and not in all trimesters.

Useful properties of ginger

The composition of ginger is so rich that Eastern sages recommended keeping the root of the plant in the house at all times. It is distinguished by a high content of vitamins (A, B1, B2, E, C, PP, K), minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus), amino acids (threonine, valine, phenylanine, leisine, tryptophan), carbohydrates, proteins and essential oils.

Benefits of ginger root during pregnancy:

• a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract (relieves heartburn, improves appetite, relieves heaviness in the stomach and gas formation);
• effective against colds and ARVI (warms, relieves inflammation and irritation, sore throat, relieves cough);
• effective against toxicosis (relieves dizziness, nausea and vomiting, salivation);
• calming effect on the nervous system (ginger relieves anxiety, irritation, fear, apathy, elevates mood, normalizes sleep).

The plant lowers blood pressure, thins the blood, removes cholesterol and toxins from the body, and has an analgesic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.

Can ginger be consumed in early and late pregnancy?

The aromatic root in small quantities is completely safe for mother and fetus, unless there are contraindications. If a woman has not used it before, then during pregnancy there is no need to take risks and try new products. If she has been familiar with the seasoning for a long time, she can gradually include the plant in her diet, adding it to drinks and dishes.

Doctors recommend ginger during early pregnancy to relieve symptoms of toxicosis and weakness. It is consumed in the form of infusion or tea, decoction, tablets. The drink is prepared from the fresh root, as dried ginger powder can increase a woman's nervousness.You can brew ready-made ginger tea (sold in bags), add honey, lemon, orange. The drink is consumed warm, not hot, and is not made strong or hot.

In the second phase (2nd trimester), toxicosis in women decreases or disappears, and the expectant mother feels well. Therefore, during this period it is better to limit the consumption of ginger. It is worth discarding the root at the stage of the third pregnancy (3rd trimester), as it can:

• cause bleeding during childbirth due to blood thinning;
• provoke premature birth;
• influence hormonal levels and the condition of the fetus’s blood vessels;
• provoke a miscarriage, especially if this has happened before.

In what cases is ginger recommended for pregnant women?

During pregnancy, it is recommended to slightly limit the use of spices in cooking (tips on their use can be found below). Considering the possible benefits and harms, the gynecologist is able to prescribe a woman to use ginger to alleviate the condition of severe toxicosis, sleep disorders, and depressed mood.

A weak tea made from fresh ginger root can replace the usual black or green drink in the morning; it can be consumed for colds or as a prophylactic during the season of respiratory diseases.

The plant can be recommended to expectant mothers as a natural remedy to support the immune system and for joint and muscle pain. Pickled root is allowed for loss of appetite, but this product has contraindications.

Contraindications and restrictions

Ginger root may not always be consumed during pregnancy. It is necessary to avoid spices in case of some diseases:

• hypertension (the plant should not be taken simultaneously with medications that lower blood pressure or stimulate the cardiovascular system);
• inflammation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, hemorrhoids and diarrhea (increases intestinal disorders, irritation, causes additional blood flow to problem areas);
• skin diseases and a tendency to allergies (it is better not to risk it, even if you are not allergic to ginger);
• cholelithiasis (possible movement of stones and blockage of ducts);
• decreased blood clotting (possible bleeding);
• severe liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis);
• tumors of various localizations (can cause growth of formations).

A limitation or contraindication is high temperature - ginger, as a warming agent, helps to increase it even more and cause fever.

To bear a healthy child, a woman can consume 1 g of ground ginger per day - this is enough to make one cup of drink. Fresh root should be taken at the rate of 3 tbsp. l. in grated form in 1.5 liters of water. You can drink the drink only once a day; you can eat dishes with this plant no more than once a day.

How to properly use ginger during pregnancy?

Ginger tea during pregnancy is prepared simply: take 1 tsp. peeled and grated root, pour 1 glass of boiling water and leave for 5 minutes (do not keep it longer, the drink will be too strong). There are other ways to prepare tea, which is used for colds or to relieve nausea during toxicosis.

The pharmacy sells ginger tea in bags, which helps get rid of the symptoms of toxicosis, and tablets. The dosage of the tablets should be selected by a doctor, but no more than 100-200 mg can be taken per day.

In Ayurvedic practice, pregnant women are recommended to take ginger with ghee, which is even added to tea. This product improves the absorption of nutrients from the root and prevents allergic reactions.

Ginger tea for toxicosis and colds

To treat a cold, the drink is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp. l. fresh grated root, pour 1 liter of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Then the mixture is filtered, 2 tbsp is added. l. honey and juice of half a lemon. For coughs and throats, traditional medicine recommends adding lemon, apple, and honey to tea. A useful drink would be a piece of ginger 2-3 cm long, half an apple, one lemon, 2 tbsp. l. black tea. All components are crushed, poured with boiling water, left for 10 minutes, filtered and drunk, adding honey to taste. When you have a cold, drink drinks only warm and only in the absence of fever.

Nausea due to toxicosis will go away if you drink weak ginger tea every day before breakfast - it will prepare the stomach for food intake.

Pickled ginger

Fresh ginger for pregnant women is allowed only in the first trimester and only in moderate quantities. This marinated product is used as a seasoning in Japanese cuisine; it is a mandatory side dish for sushi and rolls. Women can also use it during pregnancy, but only in the early stages. Such a product may contain preservatives and artificial colors; vinegar, being very spicy, provokes increased fluid consumption. Therefore, pickled ginger is consumed little and only in the absence of swelling. It’s better to give it up altogether.

Ginger for cough

In addition to tea prepared with lemon and honey, coughs can be treated with ginger inhalations.To do this, take 20 g of crushed plant root and 1 liter of water and boil for a quarter of an hour. Then add a spoonful of lemon juice to the mixture and breathe over the steam for 5-7 minutes. Inhalation can be done using an aroma lamp and the essential oil of this plant.

A remedy is prepared from ginger root that improves the functioning of the immune system and the entire body. To do this, grind 400 g of ginger and 4 lemons with skin on a grater or using a meat grinder. The mixture is placed in a glass jar and filled with liquid honey (200 g), left for a week. Lemon-ginger honey take 1 tbsp. l. 15 minutes before breakfast, with a glass of water (for pregnant women, reduce the dose of the mixture by half), or add to tea. Store in a cool place.

Use of ginger for medicinal purposes cannot replace a visit to the doctor, especially if the condition does not improve. During pregnancy, a woman's immunity is weakened, so diseases develop faster and often cause complications.

Useful video: ginger tea recipe

If a woman does not want to buy a ready-made drink in the form of tea bags or granules, then she can prepare it herself. The components must be fresh and undamaged. The process of preparing ginger root tea is simple and takes little time, as you can see by watching the video recipe.