Effectiveness of Herbal Ginger as a Complementary Alternative
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- Category: Vol. 77, June 2009
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Effectiveness of Herbal Ginger as a Complementary Alternative Medicine in Relief of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Early Pregnancy,REHAB M. ABED EL-HADY and WAGIDA WAFIK
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems. It is expected that the nurse may draw upon and utilize principles and techniques of both conventional and CAM therapies.
The aim of this study: Was to assess the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (herbal Ginger) utilization in relief of nausea and vomiting in the first three months of pregnancy. The study was carried out at the antenatal clinic of Tripoli medical center of the Maternity University Hospital in Libya using a quasi-experimental research design. A total of 60 pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy were equally divided into study and control groups. A structured interview form and a follow-up sheet were used for data collection. Assessments were done at fifth, tenth, and fifteenth days from the ginger use starting day. Data were collected from the first of January to the end of March 2007.
The results: Revealed high percentages of wrong or lack of knowledge among women regarding the definition, types, and indications of herbal therapy. Their main sources of information were the mothers and the family (66.7%). Only 40.0% of the study group and 26.7% of the control group had previous use of herbal therapy. At the fifth day from ginger use, nausea and vomiting symptoms decreased in 30% of women in the study group and 6.7% in the control group. At the tenth day, the symptoms were decreased or totally relieved in 40.0% and 20.0% of the study group women, respectively. The corresponding figures in the control group were 6.7% and 6.7%, respectively. At the fifteenth day, the symptoms persisted in only 16.7% of study group women, compared to 60.0% of control group. All these differences were statistically significant. Only 36.7% of study group women had problems with ginger use, mostly difficult swallowing (20%).
It is Concluded: That the use of ginger was successful in effecting a significant decrease in the symptoms of nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy. Its use was not associated with major side effects.
It is Recommended: That health care professionals should have more active role in dissemination of correct information about the safety and efficacy of ginger to relieve nausea and
vomiting among pregnant women. The role of the nurses in this regard should be emphasized. Further prospective research is suggested to assess the long-term effectiveness and the risks and benefits of ginger during pregnancy.