Ginger has been used for millennia as a food and remedy in nearly every major traditional medical system, as well as a warming digestive stimulant to relieve intestinal spasms, colic, gas, bloating, and indigestion.
The main active ingredient in ginger is a phenolic compound known as gingerol, which has proven therapeutic properties.
Herbalist Christopher Hobbs believes ginger is one of the best remedies for digestive or intestinal spasms, which often stem from hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system due to stress. Additionally, there's been a lot of contemporary research on its ability to reduce nausea, including a meta-analysis that found ginger to be more effective than a placebo in five of the six studies reviewed. Finally, naturopaths use it to reduce anxiety.