Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

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Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum)
Early studies suggest that ginger may be safe and effective for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy when used at recommended doses for short periods of time. Some publications discourage large doses of ginger during pregnancy due to concerns about mutations or abortions. Additional research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of ginger during pregnancy before it can be recommended for longer periods of time. 		B
Anti-platelet agent
One study suggested that ginger may have a synergistic effect on anti-platelet aggregation in patients with high blood pressure when used in combination with nifedipine. More study is warranted in this area. 		C
Migraine
There is not enough available scientific evidence in this area. 		C
Motion sickness / seasickness
There is mixed evidence in this area, with some studies reporting that ginger has no effect on motion sickness, and other research noting that ginger may reduce vomiting (but not nausea). Before a recommendation can be made, more studies are needed comparing ginger to other drugs used for this purpose. 		C
Nausea (due to chemotherapy)
Initial human research reports that ginger may reduce the severity and length of time that cancer patients feel nauseous after chemotherapy. Other studies show no effects. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results and to determine safety and dosing. Numerous prescription drugs are highly effective at controlling nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the available options should be discussed with the patient's medical oncologist. 		C
Nausea and vomiting (after surgery)
Some human studies report improvement in nausea or vomiting after surgery if patients take ginger before surgery. However, other research shows no difference. Additional studies are needed before the use of ginger before surgery to help with nausea and vomiting can be recommended. 		C
Osteoarthritis
Ginger has been studied as a possible treatment for osteoarthritis. However, results of these studies are mixed. More research is needed in this area. 		C
Rheumatoid arthritis
There is limited scientific evidence in this area, and it is not clear if ginger is beneficial. 		C
Urinary disorders (post-stroke)
It is unclear if ginger can help treat urinary disorders in patients recovering from strokes. 		C
Shortening labor
There is not enough available scientific evidence in this area. 		C
Weight loss
Ginger has been suggested as a possible weight loss aid, but more study is needed to a make a firm recommendation. 		C

Key to grades
A Strong scientific evidence for this use
B Good scientific evidence for this use
C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work)

Grading rationale

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Alcohol withdrawal, antacid, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-spasm, antiviral, aphrodisiac, asthma, atherosclerosis, athlete's foot, baldness, bile secretion problems, bleeding, blood circulation, blood thinner, bronchitis, burns (applied to the skin), cancer, cholera, colds, colic, coronary artery disease, cough suppressant, depression, diarrhea, digestive aid, diminished appetite, diuresis, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), dysentery, dyspepsia, elevated cholesterol, energy metabolism, fungal infections, flatulence (gas), flu, gallbladder disease, gonarthritis, headache, heart disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, hepatitis, high blood pressure, immune system disorders (Kawasaki disease), immune stimulation, impotence, increased drug absorption, insecticide, intestinal parasites, kidney disease, kidney toxicity, laxative, leukemia, liver disease, liver toxicity, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, malaria, neuroblastoma, orchitis (painful or swollen testes), pain relief, poisonous snake bites, promotion of menstruation, psoriasis (applied to the skin), respiratory infections, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation or tapering, serotonin-induced hypothermia, stimulant, stomach ache, sweating, thrombosis (traveler's thrombosis), tonic, toothache, ulcers.

Dosing Synonyms

NS_patient-ginger

Portions of this document last updated:

Sept. 1, 2009

THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MONOGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)


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