The 4 contraindications of ginger: when not to use it

Among the most used plants and roots for its multiple benefits, is ginger. Its consumption has become popular as a complement to some ailments or to help alleviate minor ailments.

However, there are cases in which the use of this natural product is not recommended. Let's see what are the contraindications of ginger that it is important to know.

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ginger contraindications

Ginger is a plant whose root has been used for thousands of years mainly by Asian cultures for its medicinal and culinary properties, commonly It is consumed in tea, but it can also be eaten dry or ground to sprinkle on food, but despite its many benefits, it is important to know that ginger is sometimes harmful.

To relieve nausea, as an anti-inflammatory, counteract gastritis, flatulence or diarrhea, speed up metabolism and increase the libido, improve circulation and fight migraines, to soothe menstrual pains, strengthen defenses and help reconcile dream... Ginger is highly sought after and sometimes used indiscriminately without knowing the associated contraindications,

either in its use as an ingredient in food or in home remedies. Let's see which are the cases in which it is recommended not to use it.

1. In case of hypertension

Hypertension is a disorder caused by the entry of calcium into the heart and blood vessels because when Enter this mineral, the speed with which the blood travels is increased, causing an increase in the pressure arterial. It is a disease that requires medical review for its correct diagnosis and treatment..

Ginger, like medicines that control blood pressure, has the property of blocking calcium channels from entering the bloodstream, this alters blood pressure decreasing it. For this reason it is said that ginger can help relieve hypertension. however take ginger It is very risky if you have hypertension and even worse if it is combined with treatment for hypertension..

The reason for this contraindication of ginger is that combined with the drugs that treat hypertension, Calcium channel blockade is potentiated, causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure that is very harmful to health.

Another very important reason is that the consumption of ginger can be very irregular in amounts and timesTherefore, substituting this ingredient for medicine can cause significant alterations in blood pressure that, far from helping, worsen.

As already mentioned, hypertension is a condition that must be controlled under medical supervision, and it is important know that ginger is contraindicated for people suffering from this disease as it can compromise health seriously.

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2. When combined with anticoagulant medication

In much the same way as in the use of medication for hypertension, the anticoagulant properties of ginger in combination with anticoagulant treatment potentiate the reaction. increasing the chance of bleeding.

For this reason, ginger is contraindicated when under anticoagulant treatment or when a medication with this property is consumed such as naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin among others.

Knowing this, what is recommended is that when there is a medical prescription, consult at that time about the consumption of ginger so that it is the health professional who explains if the medicine being prescribed is an anticoagulant and then ginger consumption should be avoided during the duration of the treatment.

Likewise, if we are used to taking ginger and for some reason we have been prescribed an anticoagulant medication, we should not substitute it for its anticoagulant properties, as the quantities and time of consumption are inaccurate and could cause a serious affectation to health.

3. Diabetes

Although ginger itself does not represent a problem for people with diabetes due to its low glycemic content, you should consult your doctor about its consumption.

The doctor can review the amounts and moderate them or if he considers it better, suspend their use because many warn about the contraindication of ginger in case of diabetes, especially in high amounts.

Because of this, it is important to know that the way to consume ginger when you have diabetes should not be decided lightly and must be accompanied by the attending physician, because among the properties of ginger is that of increasing insulin levels and decreasing sugar levels, Therefore, there could be an overreaction with the medical treatment, so it is necessary to review and adjust the amounts.

4. Pregnancy and lactation

The use of ginger during pregnancy is controversial. It is known that one of the properties of this plant is to relieve nausea, so many women consume it especially at the beginning.

On the other hand, as already mentioned here, one of the contraindications of ginger is due to its anticoagulant effect, which can be dangerous during pregnancy.

Due to these reasons, there is no definitive position regarding its use in pregnancy, and what is recommended is that you consult your doctor before consuming it and preferably avoid its use especially close to the delivery date.

In the same way it happens with its use in lactation. For a long time it has been considered that ginger is contraindicated in lactation; however, the e-breastfeeding page that shows the results of the investigations carried out by the APILAM (Association for the Promotion and Scientific and Cultural Investigation of Breastfeeding) considers that the consumption of ginger during lactation is safe and that no problem has been demonstrated in the infant or in the mother with the use of this plant.

Bibliographic references:

• E-lactation. Ginger and breastfeeding. Consulted on 11/23/218.