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Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is the nausea, sometimes with vomiting, that many people feel in early pregnancy, tied to rising hormones like hCG and estrogen that affect the digestive system. Ginger has the best evidence among supplements, and across nine studies with 216 participants, nausea symptoms improved. Those studies were only moderate in size, so the picture is encouraging but rests on a fairly small group of people.

Sources: PMID 11275030

Supplements studied
2
Graded outcomes
3
Trials
4
People studied
281

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

2 supplements

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale): outcomes studied for Morning Sickness
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Nausea Symptoms

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect9 studies216 people

Studies that measured nausea symptoms

and 6 more on the Ginger (Zingiber officinale) page

Pregnancy Nausea (NVP)

Meta-analysis (12 RCTs, n=1278): Ginger significantly improved nausea vs placebo (MD 1.20, 95% CI 0.56-1.84, p=0.0002, I²=0%). Subgroup analysis favored <1500mg/day. Another meta-analysis (13 studies, n=1174): OR 7.475 for general NVP symptom improvement. More effective than vitamin B6.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect
Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Meta-analysis (10 RCTs): Pooled OR 0.41 (95% CI 0.22-0.79, p=0.008) indicating significant reduction in nausea and vomiting symptoms. Compared to placebo, vitamin B6, and metoclopramide. Various forms tested including capsules, powders, and biscuits.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect

Peppermint

Peppermint: outcomes studied for Morning Sickness
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Irritable Bowel Syndrome SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)7 studies65 people

Studies that measured irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

and 4 more on the Peppermint page

Key findings

  • Nausea SymptomsGinger (Zingiber officinale)Improves (the measure goes down)
  • Pregnancy Nausea (NVP)Ginger (Zingiber officinale)Improves (the measure goes up)
  • Hyperemesis GravidarumGinger (Zingiber officinale)Improves (the measure goes down)

The Morning Sickness (Pregnancy Nausea) protocol

2 primary supplements · 1 supporting supplement

See the full protocol

Studies cited

57 studies from PubMed

  1. Ginger for treating nausea and vomiting: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysesNutrients, 2023 · PMID 38072785
  2. Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysisJ Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 2022 · PMID 31937153
  3. Effects of Ginger Intake on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical TrialsNutrients, 2022 · PMID 36308792
  4. Efficacy of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Ameliorating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting and Chemotherapy-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review Update and Meta-AnalysisJ Acad Nutr Diet, 2019 · PMID 31519467
  5. Does the Oral Administration of Ginger Reduce Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting?: A Meta-analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled TrialsCancer Nurs, 2019 · PMID 30299420
  6. The effectiveness and safety of ginger for pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic reviewWomen Birth, 2015 · PMID 23482308
  7. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomitingNutr J, 2014 · PMID 24642205
  8. Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysisJ Am Board Fam Med, 2014 · PMID 24390893
  9. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic literature reviewNutr Rev, 2013 · PMID 23550785
  10. Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trialsBr J Anaesth, 2000 · PMID 10793599
  11. Effects of ginger on motion sickness susceptibility and gastric functionPharmacology · PMID 2062873
  12. Acute effects of dietary ginger on quadriceps muscle pain during moderate-intensity cycling exerciseInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 19164834
  13. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exerciseJ Pain · PMID 20418184
  14. Ginger consumption enhances the thermic effect of food and promotes feelings of satiety without affecting metabolic and hormonal parameters in overweight men: a pilot studyMetabolism · PMID 22538118
  15. Effect of ginger on lower esophageal sphincter pressureJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 20420113
  16. Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humansEur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · PMID 18403946
  17. Ginger syrup as an antiemetic in early pregnancyAltern Ther Health Med · PMID 12233808
  18. Ginger for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trialObstet Gynecol · PMID 11275030
  19. Effect of a ginger extract on pregnancy-induced nausea: a randomised controlled trialAust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · PMID 14712970
  20. Effectiveness of ginger for prevention of nausea and vomiting after gynecological laparoscopyJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 17214049
  21. The efficacy of ginger in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgeryJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 17725149
  22. The efficacy of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysisAm J Obstet Gynecol · PMID 16389016
  23. Vertigo-reducing effect of ginger root. A controlled clinical studyORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec · PMID 3537898
  24. A randomized controlled trial of ginger to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancyObstet Gynecol · PMID 15051552
  25. Ginger treatment of hyperemesis gravidarumEur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol · PMID 1988321
  26. Comparing analgesic effects of a topical herbal mixed medicine with salicylate in patients with knee osteoarthritisPak J Biol Sci · PMID 22308653
  27. A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of ginger extracts and ibuprofen in osteoarthritisOsteoarthritis Cartilage · PMID 10607493
  28. Effectiveness and safety of steamed ginger extract on mild osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Food Funct · PMID 39212491
  29. Anti-emetic effect of ginger powder versus placebo as an add-on therapy in children and young adults receiving high emetogenic chemotherapyPediatr Blood Cancer · PMID 20842754
  30. Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsiaWorld J Gastroenterol · PMID 21218090
  31. Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged Healthy WomenEvid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 22235230
  32. Phase II study of the effects of ginger root extract on eicosanoids in colon mucosa in people at normal risk for colorectal cancerCancer Prev Res · PMID 21990307
  33. Investigation of the effect of ginger on the lipid levels. A double blind controlled clinical trialSaudi Med J · PMID 18813412
  34. Ginger extract reduces delayed gastric emptying and nosocomial pneumonia in adult respiratory distress syndrome patients hospitalized in an intensive care unitJ Crit Care · PMID 20149584
  35. Effect of treatment with ginger on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptomsISRN Obstet Gynecol · PMID 24944825
  36. Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrheaJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 19216660
  37. The effect of oral supplementation of ginger on glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Nutr ESPEN · PMID 39053695
  38. Beneficial Effects of Ginger Extract on Eye Fatigue and Shoulder Stiffness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study.Nutrients · PMID 39203851
  39. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylangInt J Neurosci · PMID 18041606
  40. Examination of the effectiveness of peppermint aromatherapy on nausea in women post C-sectionJ Holist Nurs · PMID 22034523
  41. Peppermint oil: a treatment for postoperative nauseaJ Adv Nurs · PMID 9378876
  42. An investigation into the use of aromatherapy in intrapartum midwifery practiceJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 10784271
  43. A randomized trial of peppermint gel, lanolin ointment, and placebo gel to prevent nipple crack in primiparous breastfeeding womenMed Sci Monit · PMID 17767120
  44. Aromatherapy with peppermint, isopropyl alcohol, or placebo is equally effective in relieving postoperative nauseaJ Perianesth Nurs · PMID 14770380
  45. Early effects of peppermint oil on gastric emptying: a crossover study using a continuous real-time 13C breath test (BreathID system)J Gastroenterol · PMID 17653649
  46. The effect of enteric-coated, delayed-release peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndromeDig Dis Sci · PMID 19507027
  47. Enteric-coated, pH-dependent peppermint oil capsules for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in childrenJ Pediatr · PMID 11148527
  48. Treating irritable bowel syndrome with peppermint oilBr Med J · PMID 389344
  49. Enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized trialJ Gastroenterol · PMID 9430014
  50. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with peppermint oil. A double-blind study with a placeboUgeskr Laeger · PMID 3061106
  51. Peppermint oil (Mintoil) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trialDig Liver Dis · PMID 17420159
  52. Effectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension typeNervenarzt · PMID 8805113
  53. Effect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parametersCephalalgia · PMID 7954745
  54. Peppermint oil improves the manometric findings in diffuse esophageal spasmJ Clin Gastroenterol · PMID 11418786
  55. Premedication with peppermint oil capsules in colonoscopy: a double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial studyActa Gastroenterol Belg · PMID 23082707
  56. Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS - a double blind randomized placebo - controlled studyMymensingh Med J · PMID 23416804
  57. Effect of peppermint water on prevention of nipple cracks in lactating primiparous women: a randomized controlled trialInt Breastfeed J · PMID 17442122

Supplement stack for Morning Sickness