Ginger root (Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is extracted and made into tablet form or can be used fresh, dried, or as a juice or oil. Active ingredients include gingerols (which give ginger its flavor and odor) and shogaols.) is extracted and made into tablet form or can be used fresh, dried, or as a juice or oil. Active ingredients include gingerols (which give ginger its flavor and odor) and shogaols.
Claims for GingerClaims for Ginger
Ginger is said to be an effective antiemetic and antinauseant, especially for nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy, and to relieve intestinal cramps. Ginger is also used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic and may be beneficial in the management of type 2 diabetes.Ginger is said to be an effective antiemetic and antinauseant, especially for nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy, and to relieve intestinal cramps. Ginger is also used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic and may be beneficial in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Evidence for GingerEvidence for Ginger
Ginger may have antibacterial properties and antiplatelet effects in vitro, but data are inconsistent. Ginger may have antibacterial properties and antiplatelet effects in vitro, but data are inconsistent.
Ginger may also have beneficial effects on reducing nausea and vomiting. A meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials (918 patients) suggested possible benefits of Ginger may also have beneficial effects on reducing nausea and vomiting. A meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials (918 patients) suggested possible benefits ofginger in controlling the severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (1). A meta-analysis of 13 studies (1174 patients) reported ginger was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving pregnancy-related nausea but not vomiting. In this analysis, there was no significant difference between ginger and vitamin B6 in reducing nausea or vomiting (2). Another meta-analysis of ginger use for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting reported that ginger had no effect on chemotherapy-induced nausea and other related outcomes; however, the authors concluded that this might have been due to heterogeneity of the studies (3).
Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are less well supported. However, a review of 8 trials (481 participants) indicates a potential anti-inflammatory effect, which may reduce pain in some conditions, such as osteoarthritis (Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are less well supported. However, a review of 8 trials (481 participants) indicates a potential anti-inflammatory effect, which may reduce pain in some conditions, such as osteoarthritis (4). A 2015 meta-analysis of 5 studies (593 subjects) found that ginger was only moderately effective for osteoarthritis (5). However, for primary dysmenorrhea, randomized trials report that ginger may be beneficial (6, 7). Ginger is being evaluated for type 2 diabetes and emerging evidence has shown a slight decrease in hemoglobin A1C (). Ginger is being evaluated for type 2 diabetes and emerging evidence has shown a slight decrease in hemoglobin A1C (8).
Adverse Effects of GingerAdverse Effects of Ginger
Ginger is usually not harmful, although some people have a burning sensation when they eat it. Nausea, dyspepsia, and dysgeusia are possible. Ginger is usually not harmful, although some people have a burning sensation when they eat it. Nausea, dyspepsia, and dysgeusia are possible.
Drug Interactions with GingerDrug Interactions with Ginger
Theoretically, ginger is contraindicated in patients who have bleeding diatheses or who take antiplatelet medications or warfarin. (See also table Theoretically, ginger is contraindicated in patients who have bleeding diatheses or who take antiplatelet medications or warfarin. (See also tableSome Possible Dietary Supplement–Medication Interactions.)
References
1. Toth B, Lantos T, Heygi P, et al.Ginger (Zingiber officinale): an alternative for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. A meta-analysis. Phytomedicine. 50:8-18, 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.007
2. Hu Y, Amoah AN, Zhang H, et al. Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 35(1):187-196, 2022. doi:10.1080/14767058.2020.1712714
3. Crichton M, Marshall S, Marx W, et al. Efficacy of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and chemotherapy-related outcomes: a systematic review update and meta-analysis. J Acad Nutr Diet. 119(12):2055-2068, 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2019.06.009
4. Terry R, Posadzki P, Watson LK, et al. The use of ginger (Zingiber officinale) for the treatment of pain: a systematic review of clinical trials. Pain Med. 12(12):1808-1818, 2011. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01261.x
5. Bartels EM, Folmer VN, Bliddal H, et al. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 23(1):13-21, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.09.024
6. Daily JW, Zhang X, Kim DS, et al: Efficacy of ginger for alleviating the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Pain Med 16(12):2243-55, 2015. doi: 10.1111/pme.12853
7. Moshfeghinia R, Salmanpour N, Ghoshouni H, et al. Ginger ofr pain management in primary dymenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. . Ginger ofr pain management in primary dymenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Integr Complement Med. 2024;30(11). Published online November 18, 2024.
8. Huang FY, Deng T, Meng LX, et al: Dietary ginger as a traditional therapy for blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 98(13):e15054, 2019. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015054
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