Uses & Effectiveness

Overview

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant native to Asia. The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant. It’s used as a food flavoring and medicine.

Ginger contains chemicals that might reduce nausea and swelling. These chemicals seem to work in the stomach and intestines, but they might also help the brain and nervous system to control nausea.

People commonly use ginger for many types of nausea and vomiting. It’s also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using ginger for COVID-19.

Ginger contains a powerful compound called gingerol, which has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it beneficial for reducing muscle pain and soreness, as well as improving cognitive function and digestion.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Ginger is likely safe. It can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Taking higher doses of 5 grams daily increases the risk for side effects.

When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term. It might cause skin irritation for some people.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Ginger is likely safe when eaten in foods. It is possibly safe when taken by mouth as medicine during pregnancy. It might increase the risk of bleeding, so some experts advise against using it close to the delivery date. But it appears to be safe to use for morning sickness without harm to the baby. Talk to your healthcare provider before using ginger during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: Ginger is likely safe when eaten in foods. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if taking larger amounts of ginger is safe when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Ginger is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 4 days by teenagers around the start of their period.

Bleeding disorders: Taking ginger might increase your risk of bleeding.

Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions.

Surgery: Ginger might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using ginger at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

• Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with GINGER

  Ginger might slow blood clotting. Taking ginger along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

• Phenprocoumon (Marcoumar, others) interacts with GINGER

  Phenprocoumon is used to slow blood clotting. Ginger can also slow blood clotting. Taking ginger along with phenprocoumon might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your phenprocoumon might need to be changed.

• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with GINGER

  Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Ginger can also slow blood clotting. Taking ginger along with warfarin might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

• Nifedipine (Procardia) interacts with GINGER

  Taking ginger along with nifedipine might slow blood clotting and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

• Losartan (Cozaar) interacts with GINGER

  Ginger can increase how much losartan the body absorbs. Taking ginger along with losartan might increase the effects and side effects of losartan.

Minor Interaction

Be watchful with this combination

• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with GINGER

  Ginger might lower blood sugar levels. Taking ginger along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

• Medications for high blood pressure (Calcium channel blockers) interacts with GINGER

  Ginger might lower blood pressure. Taking ginger along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) interacts with GINGER

  Taking ginger two hours before taking cyclosporine might increase how much cyclosporine the body absorbs. This might increase the side effects of cyclosporine. But ginger does not seem to affect how much cyclosporine the body absorbs when they are taken at the same time.

• metronidazole (Flagyl) interacts with GINGER

  Ginger can increase how much metronidazole the body absorbs. Taking ginger along with metronidazole might increase the effects and side effects of metronidazole.

Special Precautions and Warnings

We currently have no information for GINGER Precaustions.