Common Name: Ginger

Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale

Background

• Ginger originates from tropical regions of Asia and is now widely cultivated in Africa, South America, and parts of the Middle East. The plant’s underground stem, known as the rhizome, is commonly used in cooking and for health-related purposes.

• Historically, ginger has played a prominent role in traditional remedies. It has been used for centuries to manage conditions such as respiratory issues, colds, digestive discomfort, and stomach troubles.

• Today, ginger is often used to help relieve nausea and vomiting, ease menstrual pain, reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, and manage other health concerns.

How Much Do We Know?

• A considerable number of studies have been conducted on ginger and its health benefits, although the quality of these studies varies, with some lacking rigorous scientific methods.

What Have We Learned?

• Ginger has been widely researched for its potential to reduce nausea and vomiting. Most studies focus on ginger supplements rather than its use as a food ingredient.

• Evidence suggests that ginger may be effective in reducing nausea during pregnancy.

• Studies exploring its use for motion sickness generally do not support its effectiveness.

• There isn’t enough strong evidence to determine if ginger helps manage nausea caused by chemotherapy or surgery.

• Ginger supplements could help lessen the intensity of menstrual cramps.

• Ginger may provide mild relief for people with knee osteoarthritis when taken as a supplement, although many studies are low-quality. Applying ginger to the skin does not appear to help with joint pain.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• When taken by mouth in appropriate amounts, ginger has been safely used in a number of clinical studies. It may also be safe when used on the skin.

• Possible side effects include stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth or throat after oral use.

• If you're taking medication, speak to your healthcare provider before using ginger or any other herbal supplement, as interactions may occur.

• Using ginger supplements during pregnancy might be safe, but it’s best to consult a healthcare provider. Reliable information on ginger’s safety while breastfeeding is lacking.

Keep in Mind

• Be proactive with your health—discuss any complementary or alternative approaches with your healthcare provider to make well-informed choices together.

• Herbal products are regulated differently based on their ingredients, usage, and method of application. Products taken orally are often sold as dietary supplements and are held to different standards than pharmaceutical drugs.

• Unlike drugs, dietary supplements do not require approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to being sold. However, if a supplement poses a risk, the FDA has the authority to act. Manufacturers must ensure their supplements meet safety and labeling standards before they are marketed.

For More Information

• Tips on Using Dietary Supplements Safely

• Understanding How Medications and Supplements Might Interact

• Learning to Interpret Scientific Journal Articles

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides informational resources about complementary and integrative health approaches, including access to scientific literature. It does not offer medical guidance or provider referrals.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

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PubMed®

PubMed® is a database managed by the National Library of Medicine that offers summaries and citations from biomedical journals. For tips on using this resource, refer to guides developed by NCCIH.

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The ODS develops and shares information about dietary supplements, supporting research and offering publications and fact sheets on various ingredients like vitamin D and multivitamins.

Key References

• Araya-Quintanilla F, et al. Study on ginger’s impact on knee osteoarthritis in Pain Physician, 2020.

• Choi J, et al. Comprehensive review of ginger for chemotherapy-related nausea in Nutrients, 2022.

• Research entry on ginger in NatMed Pro, accessed December 2023.

• Hu Y, et al. Analysis comparing ginger, vitamin B6, and placebo for pregnancy-related nausea in Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2022.

• Nassif MS, et al. Systematic review of nausea management in pregnancy using complementary practices in Revista da Escola de Enfermagen da USP, 2022.

• Negi R, et al. Systematic review on ginger for menstrual cramps in Cureus, 2021.

• Shaukat MN, et al. Overview of ginger’s health-related compounds in Antioxidants, 2023.

• Tóth B, et al. Meta-analysis on ginger for preventing postoperative nausea in Phytomedicine, 2018.

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Material presented is for informational purposes and should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Product or practice mentions are not endorsements.