Ginger

Background

• Ginger is native to the warm parts of Asia and is now grown in parts of South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Its rhizome (underground stem) is used in food and for health purposes.
• Ginger has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. It was traditionally used for a variety of conditions such as asthma, flu, indigestion, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Ginger is currently promoted for nausea and vomiting, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, and other conditions.

How Much Do We Know?

• There have been many studies on the use of ginger for health purposes in people, but some of them have not been of high quality.

What Have We Learned?

• Ginger has been studied for several types of nausea and vomiting. Most of the studies tested dietary supplements rather than foods.
  • Research shows that ginger may be helpful for nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy.
  • Most studies of ginger for motion sickness haven’t shown it to be helpful.
  • It’s uncertain whether ginger is a helpful addition to standard treatments for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and whether it’s helpful for nausea and vomiting after surgery.
• Research suggests that ginger dietary supplements might be helpful for reducing the severity of menstrual cramps.
• Ginger dietary supplements might be helpful for symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, but much of the research has been of poor quality. Ginger used topically (applied to the skin) has not been shown to be helpful for knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• Ginger has been used safely in many research studies where it was taken orally (by mouth) as a dietary supplement. Ginger products may also be safe for topical use.
• Ginger can have side effects such as abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation when taken orally.
• If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using ginger or any other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
• The use of ginger dietary supplements during pregnancy may be safe. As with all herbal supplements, if you’re considering using ginger while pregnant, consult your health care provider. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use ginger while breastfeeding.

Keep in Mind

• Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
• Federal Regulation of Herbal Products
  • Depending on what’s in them, how they’re intended to be used, and how they’re administered (orally or topically), herbal products are regulated in a variety of ways. Many herbal products intended for oral use are marketed as dietary supplements. The rules for making and distributing dietary supplements are less strict than those for drugs.
  • Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold to the public. When public health concerns arise about the safety of a dietary supplement or an ingredient including an herb, the FDA can take action to protect the public. Manufacturers and distributors of supplements are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all regulatory requirements.

For More Information

• Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
• Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
• Know the Science: How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article

Key References