Ginger is a warming root whose active compounds (gingerols) make it one of the best-studied natural remedies for nausea, including morning sickness, where it's an ACOG-recommended option. It also has modest anti-inflammatory effects for joint pain. Keep doses moderate and use caution with blood thinners.
Ingredient Data
| Catalog No. | 003 |
|---|---|
| Type | Root |
| Source | Rhizome of Zingiber officinale |
| Common forms | Fresh root, tea, dried powder, capsules |
| Key compounds | Gingerols, shogaols, paradols (anti-inflammatory) |
| Best for | Nausea, motion sickness, osteoarthritis pain |
Remedy Stats
Subjective ratings use a transparent rubric; Evidence is a hard, sourced fact. How we score →
Works For
| Use | Strength | What the evidence says |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea (pregnancy) | ●●●●○ | Meta-analyses; ACOG first-line nonpharmacologic option |
| Motion sickness | ●●●○○ | Some positive trials; pooled results mixed |
| Post-op / chemo nausea | ●●●○○ | Benefit in subgroups; evidence mixed |
| Osteoarthritis pain | ●●●○○ | Modest, statistically significant (moderate-quality) |
| Antibacterial | ●●○○○ | Gingerols active in vitro |
Forms & Preparations
| Fresh root | Grate or slice into tea, cooking, or hot water with honey |
|---|---|
| Ginger tea | Steep fresh slices ~10 min, or use tea bags |
| Dried / powder | Convenient; ~1 g doses used in nausea studies |
| Capsules / extract | Standardised 500–2,000 mg forms; potency varies |
About Ginger
Ginger has been used for digestion and queasiness across many cultures for centuries. Its pungent compounds, gingerols and shogaols, act on the gut and, like a mild anti-inflammatory, can dial down prostaglandin production.
Its strongest, most consistent evidence is for nausea, where meta-analyses support it and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) lists it as a first-line nonpharmacologic option for pregnancy nausea. Evidence for osteoarthritis pain is modest, and its antibacterial activity is mostly shown in the lab. Ginger is on the FDA's "generally recognized as safe" list at culinary amounts.
Remedies Using Ginger
| Remedy | Pairs with | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Nausea Ginger Tea | Fresh root or tea | 5 min |
| Ginger-Honey Tea | Honey | 10 min |
| Joint-Soothing Ginger | Daily intake | Daily |
Sources
- Viljoen E, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutrition Journal, 2014.
- Ernst E, Pittler MH. Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of RCTs. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2000.
- Bartels EM, et al. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of RCTs. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2015.
- ACOG, ginger as a nonpharmacologic option for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy; NIH NCCIH / FDA GRAS for safety.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant or take medication.