Ginger

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about ginger—common 

names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and 

resources for more information.

Common Name—ginger

Latin Name—Zingiber officinale

Ginger is a tropical plant that has green-purple flowers and an aromatic 

underground stem (called a rhizome). It is commonly used for cooking 

and medicinal purposes. Historically, ginger has been used in Asian 

medicine to treat stomach aches, nausea, and diarrhea. Today, ginger is 

used as a folk or traditional remedy for postsurgery nausea; nausea 

caused by motion, chemotherapy, and pregnancy; rheumatoid arthritis; 

osteoarthritis; and joint and muscle pain.

What the Science Says 

• Studies suggest that the short-term use of ginger can safely relieve 

pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

• Studies are mixed on whether ginger is effective for nausea caused 

by motion, chemotherapy, or surgery.

• It is unclear whether ginger is effective in treating rheumatoid 

arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint and muscle pain.

• NCCAM-funded investigators have looked at whether ginger 

interacts with drugs, such as those used to suppress the immune 

system, and ginger’s effects on reducing nausea and vomiting. 

Investigators are also studying:

o The general safety and effectiveness of ginger’s use for 

health purposes, as well as its active components and 

effects on inflammation.

o The effects of ginger dietary supplements on joint 

inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis.
Side Effects and Cautions 

• Few side effects are linked to ginger when it is taken in small doses.

• Side effects most often reported are gas, bloating, heartburn, and nausea. These effects are 

most often associated with powdered ginger.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Ginger. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on July 6, 2009.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com on July 6, 2009.

Ginger root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. 

Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:153-159.

Low Dog T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 

New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:241-248.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed®

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus

Ginger Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/961.html

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to 

discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of 

any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D320

Created May 2006

Updated April 2012