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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Anybody ever try ginger?
        
(Message started by: birdman on Jan 10^th, 2008, 8:58am)

Title: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by birdman on Jan 10^th, 2008, 8:58am

I was checking out the clusterbuster website and found some comments about using powdered ginger. I am trying to detox from heavy imitrex use and looking for alternatives abortives. Anybody have any experience with ginger?

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by pattik on Jan 10^th, 2008, 9:52am

I've used ginger on occasion. It helps me with attacks up to about a level 3-4 if I hit it early. I just use a chunk of ginger root right from the produce section of the market. A simple tea for headaches can be steeped in a saucepan by thinly chopping one-half cup of scrubbed, unpeeled ginger root and adding it to 3-4 cups of water. Bring it to a boil and then simmer for at least 15 minutes. If it needs more flavor, steep it longer. Add honey or sugar to sweeten it if you don't like it as is. Sometimes, I'll make a large pot of it and just let it steep for a long time to get it as strong as possible. Larger quantities can be stored in the refrigerator for many days. It's inexpensive to do this way, and I hope you can use it in your arsenal.
Good luck with it.
Patti

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by birdman on Jan 13^th, 2008, 12:12pm

Got some adivce from a clusterbuster and tried the ginger. I think it helped with the nightime attacks. Quickly added a teaspoon of powdered ginger to water and gulped. Tasted like crap but the hits where mild and the o2 kicked it within 10 minutes. Not sure if coincidence or if the gigner really works. I will keep posting as I try it.
Tim

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by E-Double on Jan 13^th, 2008, 1:37pm

shadows

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by monty on Jan 13^th, 2008, 4:19pm

I would put ginger in the same camp as the other hot stuff - hot pepper and mustard/horseradish. These things seem to help neurovascular headaches up to a point, but are not a silver bullet.

Ginger seems to have more beneficial activity on the serotonin-3 receptors than the other hot stuff (it blocks them). Too much firing of the serotonin-3 receptors can cause anxiety, siezures, vomiting and other not so nice things. Ginger can block anxiety to a degree, and is used to prevent motion sickness. Ginger increases the loss of coordination caused by benzos and presumably increases other activities from that class of drugs.

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by birdman on Jan 13^th, 2008, 4:45pm

Thanks for the additional info monty. I truly appreciate it.
Tim

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by DennisM1045 on Mar 1^st, 2008, 3:52pm

on 01/10/08 at 09:52:03, pattik wrote:

So I felt my friend move back in over the last week. You know, that feeling that something is up there in that void again. No hits yet, just hints of things to come. Been shadowing off and on for a few days now.

Damn Patti! I just made a cup carefully following your directions. Only I miss-read 3-4 cups of water to be 3/4 cup of water. Let me tell you, simmering 1/2 cup of thinly sliced, fresh ginger root for 15 minutes in only 3/4 cup of water and then drinking the resultant concoction will take your breath away [smiley=pokeeye.gif].

I had to add a bit more water before I could choak it down. It's about the spiciest tea I've ever had [smiley=eek.gif]

Seems to have chased away my shadows though [smiley=thumb.gif] Hell, I'll drink cat piss if it'll take shadows away.

Thanks Girl!

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by pattik on Mar 1^st, 2008, 6:00pm

LOL, Dennis! Sorry, I'm not laughing at your pain, just your spicy tea. I guess you could use any leftovers in your favorite sCHezuan recipe.

Actually, I make a big pot of the stuff when I'm in a cycle and keep it handy in the fridge. Like most things natural, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

Here's an older link from an OUCH newsletter with a littlle more info. http://www.ouch-us.org/newsletters/06-2006/06-2006-07.htm

I'm sorry to hear your "friend" moved back in last week. Here's hoping for a very short visit.

-Patti

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by brewcrew on Mar 1^st, 2008, 6:09pm

I'm more of a Mary Ann guy.

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by Kirk on Mar 1^st, 2008, 6:09pm

I've also found Ginger Tea to be excellent for nausea, or just a plain ol upset stomach.

[smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by tommyD on Mar 1^st, 2008, 11:06pm

Yep, ginger is good for chasing the shadows.

Hot ginger tea is great in the winter.

In summer I like cold hot ginger beers like Reed's Extra Ginger Brew. Cold, spicy and carbonated with some citrus taste added. Tasty.
http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/reeds/

The health food store down the street has it, and also has Outrageous Ginger Ale, which is hotter and sweeter. but not as tasty. (can't find a website)

The hottest is Blenheim 1903 Hot Ginger Ale, so I hear. I haven't got my hands on any yet.
http://blenheimshrine.com/index.html
http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/blenheim/

Title: Re: Anybody ever try ginger?
Post by sandie99 on Mar 3^rd, 2008, 8:29am

I've tried the very same ginger tea mentioned above and I've used simply ginger ale with shadows - it works for me nicely when I drink it with some ice. :)

Based on those good experiences I have been thinking about adding ginger powder (which I have) to my diet or somekind of tablets with ginger when the beast returns.

Sanna