The American Thoracic Society found that exposing asthma patients to ginger enhances the effect of their mediciation.
Researchers discovered that when mixed with ginger, the decrease in airflow to the lungs is minimized.
Within the experiment, the airway muscles were relaxed, open, and asthma no longer posed a threat.
"Asthma has become more prevalent in recent years, but despite an improved understanding of what causes asthma and how it develops, during the past 40 years, few new treatment agents have been approved for targeting asthma symptoms," Dr. Elizabeth Townsend, a post-doctoral researcher in the Columbia University Department of Anesthesiology said. "In our study, we demonstrated that purified component of ginger can work synergistically with beta-agonist to relax airway smooth muscle."
Researchers conducted an experiment where they exposed human samples of airway smooth muscle tissue to a substance that would cause flares in asthma. Once the muscle reacted to the substance, researchers attempted to treat the reaction with a mixture of three different components with ginger with beta-agonist isoproterenol. Researchers also tested the reaction of the muscle being treated with agonist isoproterenol alone.
Researchers are hoping the new discovery will lead to less asthma complications and better treatment for lung disease. Although Townsend seems confident in the new discovery regarding ginger and asthma symptoms, the study has not been published or supported by a peer reviewed journal.
Scientist, researchers, and hopefuls a like are to be cautious with the information and view it as an introduction to the possibility for a better life for asthma patients. The new discovery did not include whether or not a ginger influenced diet is also beneficial to asthma patients.
