DIY Healthcare: Home Remedies for Common Problems

Can urine help a jellyfish sting? Find out which DIY treatments do -- and don't -- work (12 Photos)

Juhie Bhatia on Aug 31, 2010 at 2:04PM

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DIY Healthcare: Home Remedies for Common Problems

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Ginger for Indigestion



For many of us, childhood stomach aches and ginger ale go hand in hand. Our parents' remedy didn't come out of thin air though. Not only is the carbonation in ginger ale soothing to the stomach, but ginger itself has been shown to be beneficial for mild indigestion. "Ginger, particularly when made into a ginger tea...can be quite helpful in stomach upset. Ginger beer or ginger ale can also be useful, although the ginger component (gingerol) is much lower than in a tea," says Dr. Anderson. To make ginger tea, just add peeled and thinly sliced fresh ginger root to boiling water. Simmer the mixture for about 15 to 20 minutes and then strain the tea. Store-bought ginger tea bags can also work, though they contain less ginger. Besides indigestion, ginger has also been shown to ease other digestive problems, like nausea and vomiting.

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