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Alternate Title

Synonyms

6-gingerol, African ginger, Amomum zingiber L., black ginger, chayenne ginger, cochin ginger, curcumin gan jiang, gegibre, gingembre, gingerall, ginger BP, ginger oil, ginger power BP, ginger root, ginger trips, ingwer, Jamaica ginger, kankyo, race ginger, rhizoma zingeberis, sheng jiang, zerzero, Zingiber capitatum, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiber zerumbet Smith, Zingiber. blancoi Massk, Zingiber majus Rumph, Zingiberis rhizoma; Zinopin (Pycnogenol and Standardized Ginger Root Extract (SGRE)); Zintona EC.

Background

The rhizomes (underground stem) and stems of ginger have assumed significant roles in Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicine since the 1500s. The oleoresin of ginger is often contained in digestive, antitussive, antiflatulent, laxative, and antacid compounds.

There is supportive evidence from one randomized controlled trial and an open-label study that ginger reduces the severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced nausea/emesis. Effects appear to be additive to prochlorperazine (Compazine®). The optimal dose remains unclear. Ginger's effects on other types of nausea/emesis, such as postoperative nausea or motion sickness remain indeterminate.

Ginger is used orally, topically, and intramuscularly for a wide array of other conditions, without scientific evidence of benefit.

Ginger may inhibit platelet aggregation/decrease platelet thromboxane production, thus theoretically increasing bleeding risk.

Evidence

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum): Preliminary studies suggest that ginger may be safe and effective for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy when used at recommended doses for short periods of time (less than five days). Some publications discourage large doses of ginger during pregnancy due to concerns about mutations or abortion. Additional research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of ginger during pregnancy before it can be recommended for longer periods of time.
Grade: B

Anti-platelet agent: One study suggested that ginger may have a synergistic effect on anti-platelet aggregation in hypertensive patients when used in combination with nifedipine. More study is warranted in this area.
Grade: C

Motion sickness / seasickness: There is mixed evidence in this area, with some studies reporting that ginger has no effect on motion sickness, and other research noting that ginger may reduce vomiting (but not nausea). Before a recommendation can be made, more studies are needed comparing ginger to other drugs used for this purpose.
Grade: C

Nausea (due to chemotherapy): Initial human research reports that ginger may reduce the severity and length of time that a patient feels nausea after chemotherapy. Other studies show no significant effects. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results and to determine safety and dosing. Numerous prescription drugs are highly effective at controlling nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the available options should be discussed with the patient's medical oncologist.
Grade: C

Nausea and vomiting (after surgery): Some human studies report improvement in nausea or vomiting after surgery if patients take ginger before surgery. However, other research shows no difference. Additional studies are needed before the use of ginger before surgery to help with nausea and vomiting can be recommended.
Grade: C

Rheumatoid arthritis / osteoarthritis / joint and muscle pain: There is limited scientific evidence in this area, and it is not clear if ginger is beneficial.
Grade: C