STOMACH & ACID

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

also known as Common ginger, Garden ginger

A pungent rhizome with strong clinical evidence for nausea relief, digestive support, and anti-inflammatory action.

Strong evidence for nausea relief
Eases pregnancy morning sickness
Eases motion sickness
Eases post-operative nausea
Eases chemotherapy-induced nausea
Accelerates gastric emptying
Supports indigestion and dyspepsia
Provides anti-inflammatory gingerols

Active in Gingerols, Shogaols, Zingerone, Essential oils.

Avoid therapeutic doses with high-dose blood thinners

Use caution with gallstones — stimulates bile

Discontinue 2 weeks before surgery at therapeutic doses

May lower blood sugar — monitor with diabetes medication

Evidence in context

Most nausea studies tested supplements, not ginger-containing foods. Research suggests ginger may help pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Most motion-sickness studies have not found a benefit. Findings for one type of nausea do not establish a benefit for every type.

Oral ginger can cause heartburn, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhea. Ask your provider before using supplements during pregnancy or alongside medicines.

NCCIH reference → · Source checked September 14, 2026

Related literature · not reviewed for these claims

These papers were imported by topic. They may concern plants, laboratory work, or different preparations. Inclusion here does not establish a human health benefit or support the claims above. How to read our sources →

Ginger-derived nanoparticles targeting NF-κB mediated inflammatory pathways: a systematic review of in vitro and in vivo evidence.
Tri Wirattami A, Handono K, Handoko E · Future science OA · 2026
Development and characterization of polyherbal formulation from Allium sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Cinnamomum verum, Elettaria cardamomum and Zingiber officinale with therapeutic potential against sinusitis-associated pathogens.
Rehman MT, Shahid M, Hussain F · Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences · 2026
Fractionated ethanolic red ginger extract as antibacterial agent against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcommitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis: In silico and in vitro studies.
Nuraini P, Nelwan SC, Pradopo S · Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research · 2026
Corrigendum to Deciphering the role of zingiber officinale phytochemicals for the treatment of prostate cancer: Interactions of phytochemicals with androgen receptor prostate cancer mutant H874Y ligand binding domain, Urologic oncology: Seminars and original investigations 43 (2025) 711.e9-711.e27.
Lei G, Yan S, Gao X · Urologic oncology · 2026
Biochemical properties of proteolytic extracts from different Zingiber officinale varieties and their catalytic role in myofibrillar degradation: Effect on beef tenderness.
Liburdi K, Fabrizi C, Onofri C · Meat science · 2026

You might also explore

Common questions

Yes, this is one of the better-established uses in the herbal world. Ginger has strong evidence for nausea relief, including pregnancy-related morning sickness, motion sickness, and nausea after surgery or chemotherapy.

Avoid therapeutic (concentrated) doses if you're on high-dose blood thinners. Ginger has its own mild blood-thinning action that can add up.

There's some evidence it may ease osteoarthritis discomfort, largely through its anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols, though the research here is less robust than ginger's nausea evidence.

At therapeutic doses, yes. The general guidance is to stop about 2 weeks before a procedure, the same caution as with other mild blood-thinning herbs.