Ginger
Background
Ginger
is a tropical plant that has green-purple flowers and a fragrant
underground stem (called a rhizome). It is widely used as a flavoring
or fragrance in foods, beverages, soaps, and cosmetics.
Ancient
Sanskrit, Chinese, Greek, Roman, and Arabic texts discussed the use of
ginger for health-related purposes. In Asian medicine, dried ginger has
been used for thousands of years to treat stomach ache, diarrhea,
and nausea.
Today, ginger is used as a dietary supplement for
postsurgery nausea; nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, or
pregnancy; rheumatoid arthritis; and osteoarthritis.
Common forms of ginger include the fresh or dried root, tablets,
capsules, liquid extracts, and teas.
How Much Do We Know?
There’s some information from studies in people on the use of ginger
for nausea and vomiting.
Much less is known about other uses of ginger for other
health conditions.
What Have We Learned?
Some evidence indicates that ginger may help relieve pregnancy-related
nausea and vomiting.
Ginger
may help to control nausea related to cancer chemotherapy when used in
addition to conventional anti-nausea medication.
It’s unclear whether ginger is helpful for postsurgery nausea, motion
sickness, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis.
What Do We Know About Safety?
Ginger, when used as a spice, is believed to be generally safe.
In some people, ginger can have mild side effects such as abdominal
discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, and gas.
Some experts recommend that people with gallstone disease use caution
with ginger because it may increase the flow of bile.
Research
has not definitely shown whether ginger interacts with medications, but
concerns have been raised that it might interact with anticoagulants
(blood thinners).
Although several studies have found no
evidence of harm from taking ginger during pregnancy, it’s uncertain
whether ginger is always safe for pregnant women. If you’re considering
using ginger while you’re pregnant, consult your health
care provider.
Keep in Mind
Tell all your health care
providers about any complementary or integrative health approaches you
use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health.
This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Key References
- Ding
M, Leach M, Bradley H. The
effectiveness and safety of ginger for pregnancy-induced nausea and
vomiting: a systematic review. Women and Birth. 2013;26(1):e26-e30.
- Ginger.
Natural Medicines Web site. Accessed at
naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on April 15, 2015.
[Database subscription].
- Ginger
root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded
Commission E Monographs. Newton,
MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:153-159.
- Heitmann
K, Nordeng H, Holst L. Safety
of ginger use in pregnancy: results from a large population-based
cohort study. European Journal of Clinical
Pharmacology. 2013;69(2):269-277.
- Low
Dog T. Ginger. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary
Supplements. 2nd
ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:325-331.
- Matthews
A, Haas DM, O’Mathuna DP, et al. Interventions for nausea and vomiting
in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews. 2014;(3):CD007575.
Accessed at http://www.thecochranelibrary.com(link
is external) on
April 16, 2015.
- Pillai
AK, Sharma KK, Gupta YK, et al. Anti-emetic
effect of ginger powder versus placebo as an add-on therapy in children
and young adults receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2011;56(2):234-238.
- Ryan
JL, Heckler CE, Roscoe JA, et al. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces
acute chemotherapy-induced nausea: a URCC CCOP study of 576 patients. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2012;20(7):1479-1489.
-NIH
