Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger is a rhizome with active compounds gingerols and shogaols. Overview of 15 meta-analyses: Safe botanical option for managing nausea and vomiting. Pregnancy NVP meta-analysis (12 RCTs, n=1278): Significantly improved nausea vs placebo (MD 1.20, p=0.0002); more effective than vitamin B6. Hyperemesis gravidarum meta-analysis (10 RCTs): OR 0.41 for reduction in symptoms (p=0.008). CINV meta-analysis: 60% reduced vomiting risk with ≀1g/day for >3 days. PONV: Reduces severity and need for rescue antiemetics. Motion sickness RCT: Significant reduction in seasickness at 4 hours. Generally well-tolerated; high doses may interact with anticoagulants.

Quick Answer

What it is

Ginger is a rhizome with active compounds gingerols and shogaols. Overview of 15 meta-analyses: Safe botanical option for managing nausea and vomiting.

Key findings

  • Grade A: Nausea Symptoms (Morning Sickness)
  • Grade A: Pregnancy Nausea (NVP) (Morning Sickness)
  • Grade A: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Morning Sickness)

Safety

  • CINV meta-analysis: 60% reduced vomiting risk with ≀1g/day for >3 days.
ℹ️ Quick Facts: Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Quick Facts: Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Best Evidence:Grade A
  • Conditions Studied:24
  • Research Outcomes:67
  • Grade A Findings:4
  • Grade B Findings:4
  • Key Effect:Morning Sickness
Outcomes by grade:
A4
B4
C16
D4
24 conditions Β· 67 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
A
Nausea Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
A
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, IΒ²=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.
moderate↑Improves
A
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.
moderate↓Improves
A
Nausea Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
B
Nausea Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
B
Chemotherapy-Induced Vomiting
Meta-analysis (10 RCTs): OR 0.71 (95% CI 0.54-0.94, p=0.015) for CINV control. Systematic review update (18 articles): 60% reduced acute vomiting likelihood with ≀1g/day for >3 days vs control. Also reduced chemotherapy-related fatigue. Nausea results mixed due to clinical heterogeneity.
moderate↓Improves
B
Postoperative Nausea/Vomiting
Multiple systematic reviews: Ginger reduces PONV severity and decreases need for rescue antiemetics. Two of three RCTs found ginger superior to placebo and equally effective as metoclopramide. Typical dose: 1g before operation. Some meta-analyses show non-significant difference vs placebo.
moderate↓Improves
C
Gastric Emptying Rate
Small Increase
small↑Improves
C
Gastric Emptying
Multiple small studies suggest ginger promotes gastric motility and accelerates gastric emptying. May benefit functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis. Mechanism involves cholinergic stimulation and prostaglandin modulation. More research needed for clinical recommendations.
small↑Improves
?
Lower Esophageal Pressure
↑Improves
B
Motion Sickness/Seasickness
RCT (n=80 naval cadets): Single dose of ginger associated with statistically significant reduction in seasickness at 4 hours (p<0.05). Multiple early studies showed efficacy for experimentally-induced motion sickness. Results vary by induction method and ginger preparation.
moderate↓Improves
C
Gastric Emptying Rate
Small Increase
small↑Improves
D
Motion Sickness Symptoms
No effect
1 study
none
C
Inflammation
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
↑Worsens
?
Pain
↑Worsens
C
Dysmenorrhea Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
PMS Symptoms
↑Worsens
C
Dizziness
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
D
Nystagmus Symptoms
No effect
1 study
none
C
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↑Worsens
C
Inflammation
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Muscle Soreness
↑Worsens
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
C
Appetite
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
↑Worsens
?
Inflammation
↑Worsens
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Metabolic Rate
↑Improves
?
Thermic effect of food (TEF)
1 study
↑Improves
C
Appetite
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
↑Worsens
?
Inflammation
↑Worsens
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Metabolic Rate
↑Improves
?
Thermic effect of food (TEF)
1 study
↑Improves
C
Nausea Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
C
Memory
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
1 study
↑Improves
C
Inflammation
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Muscle Soreness
↑Worsens
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Ejaculate Volume
1 study
↑Improves
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Seminal Motility
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sperm Quality
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
C
Colorectal Cancer Risk
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Inflammation
↑Worsens
C
Muscle Soreness
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
↑Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
HbA1c
4 studies
↑Worsens
D
Blood Flow
No effect
1 study
none
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Ocular Blood Flow
1 study
↑Improves
?
Nausea Symptoms
↑Worsens
?
Gastric Emptying Rate
↑Improves
?
Nausea Symptoms
↑Worsens
?
Gastric Emptying Rate
↑Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

AMorning Sickness
1
↓Nausea SymptomsImproves↑Pregnancy Nausea (NVP)Improves↓Hyperemesis GravidarumImproves
ASurgical Recovery
1
↓Nausea SymptomsImproves
BDigestive Health
1
↓Chemotherapy-Induced VomitingImproves↓Postoperative Nausea/VomitingImproves↑Gastric Emptying RateImproves
BMotion Sickness
1
↓Motion Sickness/SeasicknessImproves↑Gastric Emptying RateImprovesMotion Sickness Symptoms
BHyperemesis Gravidarum
1
↓Nausea SymptomsImproves
COsteoarthritis (OA)
1
↓InflammationImproves↑Osteoarthritis SymptomsWorsens↑PainWorsens
CPrimary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)
1
↓Dysmenorrhea SymptomsImproves↑PMS SymptomsWorsens
CVertigo
1
↑DizzinessImprovesNystagmus Symptoms
CHigh Cholesterol
1
↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↑Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Worsens↑Total cholesterolWorsens
CGeneral Athletic Performance
1
↓InflammationImproves↑Muscle SorenessWorsens↑Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves
COverweight
1
↓AppetiteImproves↑Blood glucoseWorsens↑InflammationWorsens
CWeight Loss & Maintenance
1
↓AppetiteImproves↑Blood glucoseWorsens↑InflammationWorsens
CBone Cancer
1
↓Nausea SymptomsImproves
CCognitive Improvement
1
↑MemoryImproves↑Reaction TimeImproves
CMuscle Recovery
1
↓InflammationImproves↑Muscle SorenessWorsens↑Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves
CInfertility
1
↑Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImproves↑Ejaculate VolumeImproves↑Follicle-Stimulating HormoneImproves
CColorectal Cancer
1
↓Colorectal Cancer RiskImproves↑InflammationWorsens
CAerobic Exercise Performance
1
↓Muscle SorenessImproves↑Rating of Perceived ExertionImproves
DType 2 Diabetes
1
Blood glucose↑HbA1cWorsens
DEye Health
1
Blood Flow↑Fatigue SymptomsWorsens↑Ocular Blood FlowImproves

Research Citations (38)

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