Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
In short
Summary of findings for quick reference
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is associated with digestive complaints in several medical traditions. The part used is its rhizome, an underground stem. Its history extends from Asian food and medicine to the ancient spice trade. Pliny described ginger as a pungent spice sold by weight in Rome. This long history is culturally significant but does not itself establish medical efficacy.
The EU herbal monograph lists prevention of nausea and vomiting in motion sickness as a well-established use of powdered ginger rhizome. Traditional uses include motion sickness, mild spasmodic digestive complaints with bloating and flatulence, temporary loss of appetite, minor joint pain and common-cold symptoms. These categories rely on different types of evidence and apply to the specified medicinal preparations.
Studies suggest possible relief of pregnancy-related nausea, but this is not an unrestricted recommendation for use. The EMA monograph does not list pregnancy nausea as an indication and advises avoiding medicinal use during pregnancy as a precaution. Findings for postoperative or chemotherapy-related nausea are mixed. Small improvements have been observed in osteoarthritis pain; faster gastric emptying does not automatically mean fewer digestive symptoms. Powder, extracts and tea cannot simply be treated as equivalent.
Clinical evidence ↔ Historical significanceWe display two separate evidence categories: clinical evidence from modern trials and historical significance from documented healing tradition. Both are valuable, but they answer different questions.Read more
In every encyclopedia entry we evaluate two distinct categories of evidence. Clinical evidence as used in trials meets a narrower but scientifically essential bar. At the same time, the hundreds of thousands of plant species worldwide have only partially been captured and tested in modern studies.
Alongside the trial picture our researchers compile a comprehensive overview of where and since when a plant has been used across different traditions of natural medicine. When a plant has been used as a medicinal plant in many cultures across many generations, that historical significance deserves to be visible too.
Our position: a truly informative overview emerges only when both categories sit side by side. We communicate transparently what counts as what.
Overview
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a tropical plant whose underground stem, the rhizome, has long been used in Asia as a spice and herbal remedy. Gingerols contribute to the pungency of fresh ginger; drying and heating can convert some of them to shogaols. Both groups are studied for their pharmacological effects.
The EU herbal monograph distinguishes well-established use of powdered ginger rhizome for preventing nausea and vomiting in motion sickness from several traditional uses, including mild spasmodic digestive complaints. This assessment applies to the specified medicinal preparations. Other preparations and causes of nausea require separate assessment.
History
Ginger has a long history in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, including use for digestive complaints. It reached the Mediterranean through the spice trade. In the first century CE, Pliny the Elder described it in his Natural History and recorded a price of six denarii per pound in Rome.
Historical use and modern research answer different questions. Traditional records describe how ginger was used; clinical trials test whether particular preparations relieve symptoms. There is evidence of possible benefit for pregnancy-related nausea, while findings for other uses remain mixed.
Mechanism
Studied constituents include gingerols such as 6-, 8- and 10-gingerol, and shogaols formed during processes including drying and heating. Laboratory experiments show effects on intestinal 5-HT3 serotonin receptors. This is a possible explanation for effects on nausea, not evidence of efficacy comparable to ondansetron in humans.
Preclinical studies show that ginger constituents can influence enzymes involved in inflammation, including COX-2 and lipoxygenases. Laboratory studies have also found effects on platelets. Whether and to what extent this changes bleeding risk at usual oral doses is not clinically established.
Results depend on the cause of nausea and the preparation studied. Viljoen et al. (2014) reviewed twelve randomized trials involving 1,278 pregnant women and found evidence of less nausea than with placebo, but no statistically significant reduction in vomiting episodes. Study quality and comparability were limited. Evidence for postoperative or chemotherapy-related nausea is inconsistent.
For osteoarthritis, Bartels et al. (2015) found a small average pain reduction across five placebo-controlled trials. Withdrawals because of adverse events were more common with ginger than placebo. This does not establish better tolerability than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The current EU monograph lists minor joint pain as a traditional use, not a well-established medicinal use.
Small studies suggest that ginger can accelerate gastric emptying. Wu et al. (2008) studied healthy adults, while Hu et al. (2011) studied people with functional dyspepsia. In the dyspepsia study, faster emptying did not improve symptoms. These findings do not establish reliable relief of bloating or other digestive complaints.
Evidence
| Outcome | Class | Grade | Effect | Studies | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea reduction (pregnancy)Viljoen et al. (2014): twelve randomized trials involving 1,278 pregnant women. Evidence of less nausea than with placebo, with limited study quality. Pregnancy nausea is not an indication in the EMA monograph. | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | IEvidence quality grade I (Insufficient). Not enough evidence to draw a conclusion. More research needed. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Viljoen et al. (2014): twelve randomized trials involving 1,278 pregnant women. Evidence of less nausea than with placebo, with limited study quality. Pregnancy nausea is not an indication in the EMA monograph. | ||
| Pain reduction (osteoarthritis)Small average reduction in osteoarthritis pain compared with placebo (SMD -0.30). | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | IEvidence quality grade I (Insufficient). Not enough evidence to draw a conclusion. More research needed. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Small average reduction in osteoarthritis pain compared with placebo (SMD -0.30). | ||
| Delayed onset muscle soreness reductionIn one small study, muscle pain 24 hours after unfamiliar exercise was 25% lower than with placebo; participants took 2 g of raw ginger daily for eleven days. | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | IEvidence quality grade I (Insufficient). Not enough evidence to draw a conclusion. More research needed. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | In one small study, muscle pain 24 hours after unfamiliar exercise was 25% lower than with placebo; participants took 2 g of raw ginger daily for eleven days. | ||
| Gastric motility enhancementSmall studies found faster gastric emptying. In functional dyspepsia, this did not relieve symptoms. | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | IEvidence quality grade I (Insufficient). Not enough evidence to draw a conclusion. More research needed. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Small studies found faster gastric emptying. In functional dyspepsia, this did not relieve symptoms. | [5][6] |
Usage
Forms and preparation
Ginger is available as fresh rhizome, dried powder, extract, tea, syrup or crystallised pieces. Studies have tested different preparations, often powder in capsules. Their results cannot simply be transferred to ginger tea or foods. Drying and heating change the composition, including the ratio of gingerols to shogaols.
Dosage by outcome
| Outcome | Dose | Form | Duration | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy nausea (first trimester) | 1000 mg/day, In divided doses (study context) | Dried ginger rhizome powder in capsules | ||
| Motion sickness prevention | 1000 to 2000 mg, Single dose one hour before travel | Dried ginger rhizome powder in capsules | ||
| Mild dyspepsia / digestive comfort | 180 to 1000 mg, Three times daily | Dried ginger rhizome powder |
Trials of pregnancy-related nausea often used about 1 g of ginger powder daily, divided into several doses. Other studies used different preparations and amounts. One gram of powder is not equivalent to one gram of extract or a particular cup of tea. Ginger medicines should be used according to their product-specific dose and duration; research results are not a general self-treatment recommendation.
Safety
Interactions
| Substance | Severity | Mechanism | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants | Medium | Possible additional effects on platelets; clinical significance is not clearly established. | Discuss with prescribing physician. Monitor INR more frequently if starting therapeutic-dose ginger. |
| Direct oral anticoagulants (apixaban, rivaroxaban) | Medium | Theoretical additive anti-platelet / anticoagulant effect; few clinical reports. | Keep ginger to culinary doses unless cleared by prescribing physician. |
| NSAIDs (additional GI risk) | Low | Both can irritate gastric mucosa at high doses. | Take ginger with food. Limit therapeutic-dose ginger while on chronic NSAID therapy. |
Drug interactions
Discuss ginger supplements with a doctor if you take warfarin or a direct oral anticoagulant. Laboratory findings and individual reports warrant caution, but a clinically important interaction is not clearly established. The EMA monograph lists no known interactions.
Contraindications
Do not use ginger preparations if you have a known allergy to ginger. If you have gallstones, a stomach or duodenal ulcer, or a bleeding disorder, discuss ginger supplements with a doctor first. These precautions should be distinguished from a formal contraindication: the EMA monograph lists hypersensitivity to the active substance.
Side effects
| Effect | Frequency | Severity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heartburn / mild reflux | Common | Mild | Dose-related. Take with food. |
| Gastric burning sensation | Uncommon | Mild | Seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms persist. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Unknown | Mild | From fresh root in handlers / kitchen workers. |
Possible side effects include stomach discomfort and heartburn. Allergic reactions can also occur, including skin reactions when handling fresh ginger. If symptoms occur or worsen, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Look-alikes
FAQs
How much ginger should I take for nausea?
There is no single dose for every cause of nausea. Studies used different preparations, often about 1 g of ginger powder daily for pregnancy-related nausea. Powder, extract and tea cannot be dosed interchangeably. Follow the instructions for a suitable product and discuss use during pregnancy, chemotherapy or after surgery with your care team.
What should pregnant readers know before using ginger?
Studies suggest ginger may relieve pregnancy-related nausea, but they cannot reliably exclude rare risks. The EMA monograph advises avoiding medicinal use during pregnancy as a precaution. If you are pregnant and want to take ginger specifically for nausea, discuss this first with your midwife or doctor.
Does ginger thin the blood?
Laboratory experiments show possible effects on platelets, but human findings are inconsistent. Ginger is not a reliable blood-thinning treatment. If you take warfarin, apixaban or another anticoagulant, discuss ginger supplements with your doctor first.
Fresh ginger, dried powder, or capsules, which is best?
It depends on the purpose. Fresh ginger is suitable for cooking and tea. Powders and extracts differ in composition and concentration; drying and heating can convert some gingerols to shogaols. For medicinal use, the specific preparation and its instructions matter. Capsule studies do not automatically establish the same effect for tea.
6 sources.
- Viljoen et al.. Viljoen et al. 2014. 2014. PMID:24642205
- Ryan et al.. Ryan et al. 2012. 2012. PMID:21818642
- Bartels EM, Folmer VN, Bliddal H, Altman RD, Juhl C, Tarp S, Zhang W, Christensen R. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. 2015. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2014.09.024
- Black et al.. Black et al. 2010. 2010. PMID:20418184
- Wu KL, Rayner CK, Chuah SK, Changchien CS, Lu SN, Chiu YC, Chiu KW, Lee CM. Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humans. 2008. doi:10.1097/MEG.0b013e3282f4b224
- Hu ML, Rayner CK, Wu KL, Chuah SK, Tai WC, Chou YP, Chiu YC, Chiu KW, Hu TH. Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia. 2011. doi:10.3748/wjg.v17.i1.105
Legal notice: The depiction of historical significance and traditional use is context within our encyclopedia and not a health claim for any product, not a treatment promise, and not a substitute for medical advice. What may be stated on product labels, product pages, or in advertising is governed by the applicable legal requirements.