A controlled, double-blind study was carried out to determine whether nystagmus response to optokinetic or vestibular stimuli might be altered by some agent contained in powdered
ginger root (Zingiber officinale). For comparative purposes, the test subjects were examined after medication with
ginger root, placebo and with
dimenhydrinate. Eye movements were recorded using standard ENG equipment and evaluation was performed by automatic nystagmus analysis. It could be demonstrated that the effect of
ginger root did not differ from that found at baseline, or with placebo, i.e. it had no influence on the experimentally induced nystagmus.
Dimenhydrinate, on the other hand, was found to cause a reduction in the nystagmus response to caloric, rotatory and optokinetic stimuli. From the present study it can be concluded that neither the vestibular nor the oculomotor system, both of which are of decisive importance in the occurrence of
motion sickness, are influenced by ginger. A CNS mechanism, which is characteristic of the conventional anti-
motion sickness drugs, can thus be excluded as regards
ginger root. It is more likely that any reduction of
motion-sickness symptoms derives from the influence of the
ginger root agents on the gastric system.