An upset stomach leading to diarrhea or constipation is a huge source of hemorrhoid flare ups. On today’s blog, I wanted to go over one simple upset stomach treatment in order to stave off hemorrhoid-causing bowel problems. That simple treatment…Ginger! Is ginger ale good for diarrhea, though? The short answer is no, and I’ll explain why a little later in the post. Opt for something less sugary and made from more pure ginger.
I like to use this blog to spread awareness of hemorrhoid-related causes and treatments, and I love to highlight natural and at-home remedies like essential oils for hemorrhoids that have worked for my patients. Today I’m focusing on pure ginger and its role in settling stomachs and treating nausea for thousands of years.
Who are we? We’re Doctor Butler’s, experts in down-there care of hemorrhoids and related conditions. We make proctologist-developed hemorrhoid ointments and complementary products to help you quickly leave the pain behind. Dr. Robert Cutler medically reviews all of the information here.
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I like the consistency of the lotion and the fact that it is a natural, clean product. It provides a soothing, refreshing cleanse.
Verified ReviewerWhat to Know About Using Ginger for Nausea and Diarrhea
Pure ginger is rich in a variety of beneficial plant chemicals called phytochemicals that make it an effective home remedy for diarrhea, nausea and stomach aches. It is a natural source of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and anti-ulcer effects, and it is unlikely to cause any serious side effects.
Allergies are possible, though, so check with your doctor before beginning any treatment.
Ginger has the ability to alter muscle spasms in the lower digestive tract, which is thought to help the body flush out sources of diarrhea and promote wellness. This is also why ginger is thought to relieve other gastrointestinal problems like food poisoning.
Even without this modern medical knowledge, however, ancient peoples have known ginger to settle stomachs for thousands of years, and the history of its use in Eastern cultures is well known.
The History of Treating Upset Stomachs with Ginger
Medicinal uses for ginger date back at least 2000 years, when it was used primarily to settle upset stomachs. People in ancient China and India are known to have used ginger as a tonic root for ailments, with Chinese medicine describing ginger as a ‘yang tonifying herb’ that warms up the body. Traditional medicine states that ginger is good for those with cold extremities, for example.
Ancient Hawaiians used to drink the juice from the stems of flowering ginger for post-exercise wellness, and the ancient Greeks used to eat it wrapped in bread as a post-dinner digestive aid. The Austronesian peoples (a vast group of Southeast Asian seaborne peoples originating in modern day Taiwan) used to bless their ships with it and use it for healing rituals.
Is Ginger Ale Good for Diarrhea?
What does this history mean for your upset stomach? It means that using ginger is a time tested remedy for queasy bellies! What ancient peoples didn’t test out, of course, was a cold can of crisp, spicy ginger ale.
So, is ginger ale good for diarrhea? Does ginger ale help with nausea? While we now have scientific studies to show that ginger root may help treat diarrhea, the quality and quantity of the ginger you get from ginger ale rarely provides the benefits that raw ginger does.
First things first, fizzy ginger ale beverages may be made with artificial ginger flavoring. Even if it does contain real ginger, any ginger ale benefits may be too little to offer significant relief from diarrhea. And if you do find ginger-packed beverages, it’s also likely packed with sugar.
A better alternative to ginger ale for upset stomach is to go for pure ginger and water, instead of a sugary soda. Ginger is available as the raw root, in powder form and in tea packets from many grocery stores, just make sure the tea mixture doesn’t contain a lot of sugar. Now you know: Is ginger ale good for diarrhea? Most of the time, no! Go for pure ginger instead.
Pure ginger will provide you with the wellness proven by the plant’s herbal benefits. Modern medicine suggests that sudden severe diarrhea may be due to bacteria called Escherichia coli (aka E. coli) or other infections such as listeria, and a limited body of research suggests that ginger may be a natural remedy for these infections.
Even more solid evidence has shown the effective treatment of ginger for nausea, with scientific trial data showing that ginger was preferred to a placebo in this review of clinical trials. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has a rundown on what we know about ginger’s use and safety, which I’ve reviewed here.
How to Treat Stomach Aches, Nausea, and Diarrhea with Ginger
At Doctor Butler, we encourage the synergy of eastern and western medicine, gaining best practices from the past and present. That mix of knowledge is how our well-loved hemorrhoid cream is created. Just as many traditional Eastern medicines have proven their effectiveness over time, ginger too has proven its reliability in fighting upset stomachs time and time again.
So is ginger ale good for diarrhea? My advice: skip it, and instead go for freshly grated ginger steeped in boiling water.
To make ginger from the root:
- Peel the skin
- Grate one tablespoon of ginger
- Mix this freshly grated root with a pint of boiling water
- Steep for ten to 15 minutes and enjoy
You can repeat this process with a tea of your choosing as well, though try to avoid caffeine if your stomach is upset.
So, if you’re having trouble with diarrhea causing stomach problems, give ginger root a chance. (Please be aware of any ginger allergies before trying this.) And if you also deal with hemorrhoids, know that diarrhea is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids. By regulating your bowel habits and preventing diarrhea, you may be able to stop flare ups.
About Robert Cutler, D.O.
Dr. Robert Cutler has performed duties as a specialist in the field of Proctology over 30 years as a practicing physician. Over this time, he has had great success integrating patient care from both an efficiency standpoint and as a practical approach to holistic and preventative medicine.
Dr. Cutler also performs FDA approved Clinical Trials and has had formal research training in Human Subject Assurance Training, OHRP/NIH and Good Clinical Practice for Investigators, Quintiles. Dr. Cutler continues to work on creating more affordable solutions to help people who are affected by ano-rectal problems as well as various chronic or acute skin issues.
