Ginger to Cure Sea Sickness

[lookoutnw]

Originally Posted by Zartarian

I assume the organic crystallized ginger would work best? Like a trader joes type product... I unfortunately have been fighting nausea for years out in the ocean, and have settled on dremamine, which does a number on my alertness, as you can imagine.

I am going out for a couple day sails soon, Im hoping this all-natural alternative proves successful!

We have used the SeaBands and they work well for us. We will get teh electronic bands for our cruises.

[troppo]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Another urban legend?

b.

When I first heard it from a Solomon Islander up in the jungle 25 years ago, I thought it was not so much urban legend but an old-tribes tale.

I vaguely recall some research which found it effective for some people.

Of course, the natural remedy companies like to promote their own ginger products and I am unfortunately cynical whenever I read their glossy advertising.

I had a bottle of ginger and chocolate topping for putting on ice-cream. Except I can't keep ice-cream except in a very liquid state, I would be happy to use that when sailing to keep away the seasickness.

[denverd0n]

Like all seasickness cures, it works for some people and doesn't work for others. I find that it helps me quite a bit. You will have to find out what works for you.

[Zartarian]

Went out last night using low doses of dramamine... took about half a pill initially and about 15 minutes outside of newport harbor i found myself throwing back another 1.5 to keep myself from having to wash the deck.... eeeek!

I will be experimenting with it all and will definitely be posting my results. I have about 3 sails in the month of March, so I will be able to frequently try different things...

My list starts with the patches, then I will try the various ginger remedies, then the shock-therapy bracelets (which I've heard works great). Dramamine's side effects are just too much to deal with while sailing... I definitely wouldnt want to be caught in a semi-frantic situation while 2 pills deep... whata nightmare that would be!

[IrishLass]

AZ: No matter what you use, try taking it about an hour before you go aboard or set sail. Fifteen minutes just isn't enough time. I eat the ginger before I leave the house for the marina.

I tried the wristband (pressure) with little benefit and the Transderm Scopolamine patch is just tooooo much for me. It "weirds" me out and the antihistaminic affect is too strong and it really dries me out too much. Hope that is not TMI. LOL Good luck!

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by IrishLass

I will eat little slices of fresh ginger -- spicy but it works.

How organic can you get! The bite should be distracting, too.

I have also found simply adding more ginger to cooking and curries seem to make me feel better all around, though I never get seasickness (my wife does some and she likes ginger better than other alteranatives).

[thinwater]

Far from urban legand. Though Myth Busters may not be the most scholarly source, they did a bit on it and found it very effective, on a par with dramamine. They used real volunteers and the testing was messy.

[DoubleWhisky]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

MythBusters did a very intersting trial, I beleive of all , the Ginger was best.

Dave

As far as I remember it the best on the trial was this electronic device looking like a hand watch. But I can remember wrong, of course

[lookoutnw]

I know some that had teh patches, teh bands and teh electronics. They said teh electronic was best. I plan an arsenol of stuff so I have redundancy and backups and ...

[IrishLass]

What is the "electronic band" that is known to work well? Anyone with experience in this area?

[Zartarian]

I have a close friend of mine who owns one and says it works. They cost around 70-100 dollars and last a lifetime as long as there is a battery in it. I asked my buddy to find his so that I can test it out before buying it.

I will try it out soon and post the results on the forum. Supposedly it sends tiny electric shocks to that same pressure point on your wrist. Here is some information on it...

ReliefBand: Best Motion Sickness Remedy Yet

[smurphny]

My brother tends to get seasick. When he started feeling queasy last year, opened up a package of crystallized ginger and he was fine. They say the Chinese originally thought of this and have kept ginger aboard for hundreds of years (not the same pc.) I have made this from fresh ginger root and sugar and find the problem with it is that it tends to disappear before actually needed! Chewing on plain ginger sticks is also not too bad.

[IrishLass]

Not sure how you make it, but this is a great recipe from Alton Brown:

Candied Ginger Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network

[smurphny]

Making it is pretty easy. Just slice root ACROSS the grain, boil down in sugar water until translucent, stirring constantly (or it'll get ugly brown). The last couple of minutes is critical as it's really easy to burn while trying to get it dry.

[Blue Stocking]

The carbonated Ginger Beer is popular around here for mal de mer. Ironically, its the same stuff we mix with Black Seal rum, for the imfamous "Dark n' Stormy. May not cure the problem, but sure takes your mind off of it for a while.