Ginger
Scientific names: Zingiber officinale, Amomum zingiber
Family: Zingiberaceae
Alternate names: African Ginger, Ardraka, Black Ginger, Cochin Ginger, Gan Jiang, Gingembre, Gingembre Africain, Gingembre Cochin, Gingembre Indien, Gingembre Jamaïquain, Gingembre Noir, Ginger Essential Oil, Ginger Root, Huile Essentielle de Gingembre, Imber, Indian Ginger, Jamaica Ginger, Jengibre, Jiang, Kankyo, Kanshokyo, Nagara, Race Ginger, Racine de Gingembre, Rhizoma Zingiberi, Rhizoma Zingiberis, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Shen Jiang, Sheng Jiang, Shoga, Shokyo, Shunthi, Srungavera, Sunth, Sunthi, Vishvabheshaja, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, Zinzeberis, Zinziber Officinale, Zinziber Officinalis
Actions: Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial, Anti-diabetic, Anti-emetic, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anti-platelet, Blood pressure, Gastroprotective, Insecticidal, Lipid-lowering, Mutagenic, Respiratory, Sex hormone, Teratogenic, Weight loss
Background
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant native to Asia. The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant. It's used as a food flavoring and medicine.
Ginger contains chemicals that might reduce nausea and swelling. These chemicals seem to work in the stomach and intestines, but they might also help the brain and nervous system to control nausea.
People commonly use ginger for many types of nausea and vomiting. It's also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using ginger for COVID-19.
Ginger contains chemicals that might reduce nausea and swelling. These chemicals seem to work in the stomach and intestines, but they might also help the brain and nervous system to control nausea.
People commonly use ginger for many types of nausea and vomiting. It's also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using ginger for COVID-19.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Ginger is likely safe. It can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Taking higher doses of 5 grams daily increases the risk for side effects.
When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term. It might cause skin irritation for some people.
Breast-feeding: Ginger is likely safe when eaten in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking larger amounts of ginger is safe when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Ginger is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 4 days by teenagers around the start of their period.
Bleeding disorders: Taking ginger might increase your risk of bleeding.
Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions.
Surgery: Ginger might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using ginger at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term. It might cause skin irritation for some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Ginger is likely safe when eaten in foods. It is possibly safe when taken by mouth as medicine during pregnancy. It might increase the risk of bleeding, so some experts advise against using it close to the delivery date. But it appears to be safe to use for morning sickness without harm to the baby. Talk to your healthcare provider before using ginger during pregnancy.Breast-feeding: Ginger is likely safe when eaten in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking larger amounts of ginger is safe when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Ginger is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 4 days by teenagers around the start of their period.
Bleeding disorders: Taking ginger might increase your risk of bleeding.
Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions.
Surgery: Ginger might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using ginger at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Nausea and vomiting caused by drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS (antiretroviral-induced nausea and vomiting). Taking ginger by mouth daily, 30 minutes before each dose of antiretroviral treatment for 14 days, reduces the risk of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving HIV treatment.
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Taking ginger by mouth during the first 3-4 days of a menstrual cycle somewhat reduces painful menstrual periods. It seems to work about as well as some pain medications, like ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, or Novafen. Taking ginger along with medicines such as mefenamic acid also seems to be helpful.
- Osteoarthritis. Taking ginger by mouth can slightly reduce pain in some people with osteoarthritis. But applying ginger gel or oil to the knee doesn't seem to help.
- Morning sickness. Taking ginger by mouth seems to reduce nausea and vomiting in some people during pregnancy. But it might work slower or not as well as some drugs used for nausea.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Muscle soreness caused by exercise. Taking ginger by mouth doesn't reduce or prevent muscle pain from exercise.
- Motion sickness. Taking ginger by mouth up to 4 hours before travel doesn't prevent motion sickness.
Dosing & administration
Ginger is commonly consumed in foods and as a flavoring in drinks. As medicine, ginger is available in many forms, including teas, syrups, capsules, and liquid extracts. Ginger has most often been used by adults in doses of 0.5-3 grams by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Ginger is also available in topical gels, ointments, and aromatherapy essential oils. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Taking ginger two hours before taking cyclosporine might increase how much cyclosporine the body absorbs. This might increase the side effects of cyclosporine. But ginger does not seem to affect how much cyclosporine the body absorbs when they are taken at the same time.
Losartan (Cozaar)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Ginger can increase how much losartan the body absorbs. Taking ginger along with losartan might increase the effects and side effects of losartan.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Ginger might lower blood sugar levels. Taking ginger along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Calcium channel blockers)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Ginger might lower blood pressure. Taking ginger along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Ginger might slow blood clotting. Taking ginger along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Ginger can increase how much metronidazole the body absorbs. Taking ginger along with metronidazole might increase the effects and side effects of metronidazole.
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking ginger along with nifedipine might slow blood clotting and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Phenprocoumon (Marcoumar, others)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Phenprocoumon is used to slow blood clotting. Ginger can also slow blood clotting. Taking ginger along with phenprocoumon might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your phenprocoumon might need to be changed.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Ginger can also slow blood clotting. Taking ginger along with warfarin might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Ginger might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Ginger might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Ginger might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
RRP: $61.95$45.85Save: 26%
Per capsule:
RRP: $49.95$36.96Save: 26%
Per 15 mL:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 66.7 µL
- Centella asiatica ext. 16.7 mg
- Echinacea purpurea ext. 21 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 20 mg
- Gentiana lutea ext. 66.7 µL
- Ilex paraguariensis ext. 66.7 mg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 100 mg
- Cynara scolymus ext. 41.7 mg
- Echinacea purpurea ext. 23.4 µL
- Ginkgo biloba ext. 6.7 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra ext. 62.5 mg
- Smilax ornata ext. 83.3 mg
- Urtica dioica ext. 1 mL
RRP: $25.69$19.01Save: 26%
Out of stock with supplier
Restock unknown
RRP: $23.85$19.07Save: 20%
RRP: $56.45$45.16Save: 20%
Per tablet:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 150 mg
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 100 mg
- Andrographis paniculata ext. 100 mg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 30 mg equiv. zinc 6 mg
- Magnolia liliiflora ext. 300 mg
- Mentha haplocalyx ext. 300 mg
- Melissa officinalis ext. 150 mg
RRP: $24.55$19.64Save: 20%
RRP: $45.60$31.92Save: 30%
Per capsule:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 65 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 445 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 250 µg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 250 µg
- Potassium iodide 98.10 µg equiv. iodine 75 µg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 3.18 mg equiv. thiamine 2.5 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 3.29 mg equiv. riboflavin 2.5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 27.29 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 25 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 19.59 mg equiv. pyridoxine 12.5 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 30.39 mg equiv. pyridoxine 25 mg
- Choline bitartrate 25 mg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Biotin 200 µg
- Magnesium ascorbate monohydrate (Vitamin C) 56.04 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 50 mg
- Cholecalciferol 6.25 µg equiv. vitamin D3 250 IU
- Chromium picolinate 201.1 µg equiv. chromium 25 µg
- Magnesium citrate 308.64 mg equiv. magnesium 50 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 20 mg equiv. manganese 2 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 37.5 µg equiv. molybdenum 25 µg
- Selenomethionine 62.1 µg equiv. selenium 25 µg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 17.13 mg equiv. zinc 5.5 mg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 5 mg equiv. silica 2.34 mg
RRP: $87.30$74.21Save: 15%
Per tablet:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 50 mg
- Glucosamine hydrochloride 1.5 g equiv. glucosamine 1.245 g
- Sodium chondroitin sulphate (bovine) 130 mg equiv. chondroitin sulphate 120 mg
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 100 mg
- L-proline 10 mg
- Glycine 10 mg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 10 mg equiv. silicon 4.67 mg
- Zinc oxide 6.23 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 9.23 mg equiv. manganese 3 mg
RRP: $45.00$31.50Save: 30%
RRP: $26.95$22.91Save: 15%
Discontinued by Wonder Foods
RRP: $29.65$20.76Save: 30%
RRP: $16.95$11.87Save: 30%
Per tablet:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 22.75 mg
- Vitex agnus-castus ext. 50 mg
- Angelica polymorpha ext. 250 mg
- Paeonia lactiflora ext. 71.43 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 20 mg
- Viburnum opulus ext. 30 mg
- Asparagus racemosus ext. 50 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 20 mg
- Curcuma longa ext. 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 10 mg equiv. pyridoxine 8.2 mg
- Magnesium citrate anhydrous 308.6 mg equiv. magnesium 47.7 mg
- Corydalis ambigua ext. 30 mg
RRP: $50.00$41.99Save: 16%
Per tablet:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 20 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 2 mg
- Arctium lappa ext. 50 mg
- Gentiana lutea ext. 7.5 mg
- Quercetin dihydrate 56 mg equiv. quercetin 50 mg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 215 mg equiv. silica 100 mg
- Glutamine 250 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 46.74 mg equiv. zinc 15 mg
- Calendula officinalis ext. 40 mg
- Curcuma longa ext. 75 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 26.67 mg equiv. riboflavin 20 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 21.84 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 20 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 12.16 mg equiv. pyridoxine 10 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 50 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate 36.77 mg equiv. vitamin E 25 IU
- Lysine hydrochloride 187.5 mg equiv. lysine 150 mg
- Pectin 50 mg
RRP: $44.99$37.80Save: 16%
$65.00
Per tablet:
RRP: $47.92$35.49Save: 26%
Per capsule:
RRP: $65.00$58.50Save: 10%
RRP: $29.99$25.19Save: 16%
Per tablet:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 5 mg
- Glutathione 25 mg
- Beta-carotene (Vitamin A) 600 μg
- Cholecalciferol 1.25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 50 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E) 4.13 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 20 μg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 11.74 mg equiv. zinc 3.75 mg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 30.26 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 25 mg
- Magnesium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 20.32 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 15.24 mg
- Vaccinium macrocarpon powder 5 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 5 mg
- Schizandra chinensis ext. 5 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 5 mg
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai) 5 mg
- Chlorella vulgaris powder 5 mg
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp) 5 mg
- Phyllanthus emblica ext. 9.52 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 1.27 mg equiv. thiamine 1 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 1.37 mg equiv. riboflavin 1 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 5 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 10.87 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 10 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 2.19 mg equiv. pyridoxine 1.5 mg
- Calcified lithothamnion (Red algae) 43.18 mg equiv. magnesium 1 mg
- Copper sulphate 3.93 mg
- Silicon dioxide 53.53 mg
- Manganese gluconate 3.24 mg equiv. manganese 0.4 mg
- Selenomethionine 46.57 μg equiv. selenium 18.75 μg
- Lysine hydrochloride 3.12 mg equiv. l-lysine 2.5 mg
- Lycopene 250 μg
- Choline bitartrate 62.66 mg equiv. choline 25 mg
- Inositol 10 mg
- Biotin 1.5 mg
- Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) 50 mg
- Equisetum arvense ext. 2.5 mg
- Citrus sinensis ext. 5 mg
- Magnesium citrate 30.94 mg equiv. magnesium 5 mg
- Magnesium glycinate 30.97 mg equiv. magnesium 4.37 mg
- Curcumin (Turmeric) 1.5 mg
- Ultra fruit blend 25 mg
- Cruciferous vegetable blend 25 mg
- Live vegetable blend 22.5 mg
- Multi herb blend 10 mg
RRP: $31.96$28.77Save: 10%
Per tablet:
- Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ext. 5 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) 10 mg
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12) 200 μg
- Zinc citrate 36.6 mg equiv. zinc 12.5 mg
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 3 mg
- Phyllanthus emblica ext. 65 mg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 40 μg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 6.35 mg equiv. thiamine 5 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 1.71 mg equiv. riboflavin 1.25 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 12.5 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 5.46 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 5 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 2.03 mg equiv. pyridoxine 1.25 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 463 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 250 μg
- Calcified lithothamnion (Red algae) 28.72 mg equiv. calcium 8.62 mg
- Magnesium 13.13 mg
- Chromium picolinate 201.13 μg equiv. chromium 25 μg
- Copper sulphate 200 μg
- Manganese gluconate 43.86 mg equiv. manganese 5 mg
- Selenomethionine 124.18 μg equiv. selenium 50 μg
- Borax 6.6 mg equiv. boron 750 μg
- Ascophyllum nodosum 18.75 mg
- Lutein 1 mg
- Lycopene 1 mg
- Serenoa repens ext. 25 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 5 mg
- Vaccinium macrocarpon ext. 0.25 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 5 mg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 5 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 5 mg
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai) 5 mg
- Chlorella vulgaris 5 mg
- Curcumin (Turmeric) 500 μg
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp) 5 mg
- Citrus sinensis ext. 5 mg
- Ultra fruit blend 25 mg
- Cruciferous vegetable blend 25 mg
- Live vegetable blend 22.5 mg
- Multi herb blend 12.5 mg
- Calcium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 38.58 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 32.5 mg equiv. calcium 3.88
- Magnesium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 45.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 32.5 mg
RRP: $29.95$26.96Save: 10%
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 22/02/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 27/04/2022 07:59:04. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
