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Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is reliable in treating a wide variety of cardiovascular complaints. Among ginger's protective properties is its ability to reduce cholesterol by promoting cholesterol excretion, impairing cholesterol absorption, and encouraging bile secretion and bile acid production. (Bile acid is a steroid acid of bile, produced during the metabolism of cholesterol.) Ginger exerts some of its hypolipidemic effects by stimulating cholesterol-7-alpha-hydroxylase, a rate-limiting enzyme of bile acid synthesis (Srinivasan et al. 1991).

Researchers reported the effects of administering ginger root (200 mg/kg orally) to 61 cholesterol-fed rabbits (Bhandari et al. 1998). The marked rise in cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins, and phospholipids (whic normally follows 10 weeks of cholesterol feeding) was significantly reduced by ginger. The favorable results obtained from ginger were comparable to the hypolipidemic effects of the drug Lopid, known generically as gemfibrozil.

Various chemicals contained in ginger root are calcium antagonists, vasodilators, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics, suggesting additional value in reducing blood pressure and the incidence of arrhythmias (Duke Database 1992).

Ginger root reduces the likelihood of a blood clot through the following mechanisms:

Ginger root, ginkgo, olive leaf, and garlic each contain chemicals that inhibit platelet-activating factor, PAF (Duke Database 1992). Adequate amounts of PAF are essential to coagulation and inflammatory processes; excesses are associated with blood clot formation, stroke, and heart disease. Thromboxane A-2, a platelet-aggregating factor, is inhibited more by ginger root than by either garlic or onions (Srivastava 1984). Prostacylin, an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, is pressed into service by ginger, a process that further reduces the likelihood of blood clot formation (Backon 1986). Although all of these effects are similar (blood clot reduction), a study involving healthy volunteers showed no irregularities in blood coagulation among participants receiving 2 grams of ginger a day (McCaleb et al. 2000). Nonetheless, caution is indicated for those individuals with baseline disturbances in platelet numbers or prothrombin time. Furthermore, the activity of prescribed blood thinners may be heightened if used in concert with ginger.

Ginger root also appears to protect the heart during periods of inflammation. (Recall that inflammation is considered a trigger in heart disease.) Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties are due to interruption of the prostaglandin-leukotriene cascade, blocking damaging prostaglandins but leaving beneficial prostaglandins unaffected. Ginger root (gingerols) has been shown to inhibit cyclooxygenase pathways, sharing anti-inflammatory traits with other popular COX-2 inhibitors (Newmark et al. 2000; Faloon 2001).

Interestingly, a researcher recently recommended 10 grams of Ginger (approximately 1 tsp a day) to reduce platelet aggregation (Bordia et al. 1997). A qualified healthcare practitioner must monitor this dosage. JAMA published an article raising a cautionary flag concerning the risk of cardiovascular events among users of COX-2 inhibitors (such as Celebrex and Vioxx) (Mukherjee et al. 2001). The FDA has also objected to claims and promotional activities by Pharmacia Corporation minimizing the potentially serious risk of bleeding associated with Celebrex (Fort 2001). It is hoped further prospective evaluations will characterize and determine the magnitude of the risks. In the interim, natural COX-2 inhibitors (including ginger) loom as welcome alternatives.