Ginger Explained Simply

1. What Is Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)?

Ginger is the root of the plant Zingiber officinale. This plant grows in warm countries. The root tastes pungent and has long been used as a spice and home remedy. In studies, ginger is tested in various forms, for example fresh, dried, as powder, as tea or as oil.

2. Where Is It Found, and What Is It Made From?

Ginger is in the root of the plant. The root grows underground. It is harvested fresh or dried and ground. Extracts and oil are also made from the root. The pungency comes from certain substances in the root.

3. What Does Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Do? What Research Shows

Nausea and Vomiting, Including Pregnancy

In pregnant women, ginger relieved nausea better than placebo; against vomiting, the effect was weaker and not certain 71215. After thyroid surgery, inhaling ginger oil relieved pain and nausea better than usual care 41. In children with vomiting due to a gastrointestinal infection, fewer children vomited again after ginger than after placebo 26.

Blood Glucose and Metabolism

Ginger lowered blood sugar before breakfast more than placebo: in type 2 diabetes 37, fatty liver 38, metabolic disorder with abdominal fat 39 and diabetes in pregnancy 33. Long-term blood sugar also fell in type 2 diabetes 37. In addition, the body responded better to the blood sugar hormone insulin 333839. Most studies were small and short.

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea

For nausea due to chemotherapy, the results are mixed. In a large study, ginger given in addition to the usual remedies alleviated nausea on the first day better than placebo 23. An evaluation of many studies found that ginger capsules led to severe nausea and severe vomiting less often 13. However, other studies found no difference from placebo 1942. Which dose helps with which chemotherapy is still open.

Osteoarthritis

For osteoarthritis (joint wear), two review papers found less pain with ginger than with placebo 620. Inflammation markers fell in some studies 2027. An extract from steamed ginger improved pain and function 28. The observation periods were mostly short.

Digestion and Gastrointestinal Complaints

For digestive complaints without an identifiable cause, an extract from steamed ginger improved the complaints more than placebo 30. In tuberculosis patients, gastrointestinal complaints decreased with ginger 25. Two review papers count ginger among the remedies that can help with digestive complaints 1021. In healthy young adults, ginger powder changed the intestinal bacteria and alleviated digestive disorders, but not other abdominal complaints 36.

Menstrual Pain

In menstrual pain, a review paper found a reduction in pain intensity and duration with ginger 17. Compared with usual anti-inflammatory painkillers, ginger worked similarly strongly 17. The evidence is low because only this one review paper was evaluated 17.

Other Investigations

Ginger lowered inflammatory values in type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and fatty liver 353438. Extracts from steamed ginger lowered body fat in two studies 2932. In joint and muscle pain, an extract improved pain and function 40. In allergic rhinitis, an extract helped similarly well as an antiallergic 31.

4. How Was Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Taken in the Studies?

In studies, ginger was used as a capsule, tablet, powder, tea, extract or oil. For nausea in pregnancy, capsules, powder or biscuits were taken. For osteoarthritis, powder or extracts were taken. For nausea after operations, essential oil for inhalation was also used. The exact amounts and preparations are in the table.

5. Is Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Safe? Side Effects in the Studies

In pregnant women, miscarriages, heartburn or drowsiness did not occur more often than with placebo 712. A review found no harmful consequences for mother and child 22. Belching in pregnant women was reported occasionally 14. In a study with an Ayurvedic herbal mixture of ginger, Tinospora, Amla and Indian frankincense, a liver value rose in some participants without them having complaints 24.

All details with tables and sources: full expert page on Ginger (Zingiber officinale)