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 menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, and morning  sickness. It is also used for diabetes, motion sickness, and many other  conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of  these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using ginger for  COVID-19.

The Effectiveness ratings for Ginger are as follows:

Possibly Effective 

• Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).                                                        Taking ginger by  mouth during the first 3-4 days of a menstrual cycle somewhat reduces  painful menstrual periods. It seems to work about as well as some pain  medications, like ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, or Novafen. Taking ginger  along with medicines such as mefenamic acid also seems to be helpful.                                                     
• Osteoarthritis.                                                        Taking ginger by  mouth can slightly reduce pain in some people with osteoarthritis. But  applying ginger gel or oil to the knee doesn't seem to help.                                                     
• Morning sickness.                                                        Taking ginger by  mouth seems to reduce nausea and vomiting in some people during  pregnancy. But it might work slower or not as well as some drugs used  for nausea.                                                     

Possibly Ineffective 

• Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment.                                                        Taking ginger by  mouth doesn't reduce nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy.                                                     
• Muscle soreness caused by exercise.                                                        Taking ginger by  mouth doesn't reduce or prevent muscle pain from exercise.                                                     
• Motion sickness.                                                        Taking ginger by  mouth up to 4 hours before travel doesn't prevent motion sickness.                                                     

There is interest in  using ginger for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough  reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

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.

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

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.

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.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

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.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

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

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ginger might  change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could  change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ginger might  change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could  change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ginger might  change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could  change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ginger might  change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could  change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

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.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

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.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Ginger might change  how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body.  In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a  medication.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

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

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

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

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

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

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

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.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

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.

Ginger  might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar  effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with  this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and  prickly pear cactus.

Ginger  might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it  with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of  bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect  include garlic, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.

There are no known interactions with foods.

Ginger is commonly consumed  in foods and as a flavoring in drinks. As medicine, ginger is available  in many forms, including teas, syrups, capsules, and liquid extracts.  Ginger has most often been used by adults in doses of 0.5-3 grams by  mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Ginger is also available in topical  gels, ointments, and aromatherapy essential oils. Speak with a  healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be  best for a specific condition.

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Literature Review Current Through: 2/13/2026, Last Updated: 12/19/2024

The contents of this resource are not  intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,  or treatment. Clinical input is needed from a qualified healthcare  provider before taking any supplement or starting any therapy. Do not  delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any  information displayed in this resource.