Ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale), the root used for the tea.

Ginger Tea

Q: Does ginger tea help with nausea?

It may, but the proof is for capsules and powders, not tea. Pooled trials of those find less nausea in early pregnancy and in the first hours after surgery. The one study of ginger tea itself (100 women on chemotherapy) found lower nausea scores, but it was small and not blinded, and a review rated the certainty very low. See a doctor for severe or lasting nausea.

Q: Is ginger tea safe in pregnancy?

Not settled. Trials of ginger capsules and powders for pregnancy nausea found less nausea and no clear harm, but the miscarriage estimate was very imprecise (risk ratio 3.14, 95% CI 0.65 to 15.11). The EU monograph advises avoiding ginger medicines in pregnancy as a precaution; NCCIH says supplements may be safe. No pregnancy study of ginger tea was found. Ask your midwife or doctor.

Q: Does ginger tea help with chemotherapy nausea?

Unclear. One small study that was not randomised found lower scores when ginger tea was added to usual medicine, with very low certainty. For capsules, reviews disagree: one found fewer people with severe nausea, another found no overall difference. Tell your cancer team before adding ginger.

Q: Is ginger tea as good as ginger capsules?

We cannot say. Almost all trials used capsules or powder with a measured amount of ginger. A cup of tea has an unmeasured amount, so capsule results do not simply apply to it. NCCIH notes that most nausea studies tested supplements, not foods or tea.

Q: Does ginger tea have caffeine?

Ginger root itself is not a source of caffeine, though that is general background and not something these studies measured. Tea bags sold as ginger tea may add black or green tea leaves, which do have caffeine, so check the ingredient list.

Q: Is ginger tea safe with blood thinners like warfarin?

Be careful. The evidence is mixed: two small trials in healthy men found no effect on platelets or warfarin, but one case report describes an INR up to 10 with a nosebleed after ginger products, and LactMed says ginger can increase bleeding risk with warfarin. Tell your prescriber how much ginger tea you drink and keep your intake steady.

Q: Can ginger tea affect diabetes or blood-pressure medicine?

It might add to their effect, but this has not been tested as an interaction. Some pooled trials of supplements found lower blood sugar and blood pressure; a newer review found no pooled effect on blood sugar. If you take these medicines, tell your pharmacist and watch your readings.

Q: Is ginger tea safe with gallstones?

We do not know. The only study, in 19 healthy young men, found no change in gallbladder emptying, and it says nothing about people who have gallstones. Ask your doctor.

Q: Can ginger tea cause heartburn?

It can in some people. The EU monograph lists heartburn, indigestion and belching as common effects of ginger medicines, and an 8-week open-label study of 47 people with indigestion found heartburn in 12.8%. If you have reflux and symptoms get worse, stop and see a doctor.

Q: Should I stop ginger tea before surgery?

Tell your surgeon and anaesthetist how much you drink. The concern is a theoretical bleeding effect; no trial of ginger and surgical bleeding was found. A review of ginger after surgery found lower nausea in the first hours.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe · also called Ginger root tea, ginger infusion, jahe tea

Ginger tea is a warm drink made from ginger root and hot water. People drink it for upset stomach and nausea. Most of the nausea research used ginger capsules or powder, not tea, and only one small study tested tea itself. The main caution: if you take blood thinners or diabetes medicine, are pregnant, have gallstones or get heartburn, ask your doctor or pharmacist before drinking a lot of it.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

Get your Ginger Tea today. Order now from Amazon and have it delivered to your door.Shop Ginger tea on AmazonSupport our free guides: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

About Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is the root of ginger in hot water. It is caffeine-free on its own, but blends can add tea leaves. The best-studied use is nausea, yet nearly all of that research used capsules or powder with a measured amount of ginger. A cup of tea has an unmeasured amount, so the results do not simply carry over. Check cautions first if you take blood thinners or diabetes medicine, are pregnant, have gallstones or get heartburn.

What ginger tea is

Ginger tea is made from the root (rhizome) of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae (name checked in GBIF). It can be made from fresh root, dried root or a tea bag.

The pungent compounds that give ginger its heat are gingerols; drying and heating turn some of them into shogaols. The amounts in a cup of tea were not found in the sources we read.

Ginger root is not a source of caffeine. That is general background, not something these studies tested. Some tea bags sold as ginger tea add black or green tea leaves or other herbs, which can change that, so read the label.

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Tea, powder and capsules are not the same

Almost all the trials we read used capsules, powder or extracts with a known amount of ginger. We found one study of ginger tea itself: 100 women on chemotherapy, not randomised and not blinded.

A cup of tea is a water extract of the root and its strength varies, so the capsule results cannot be assumed for tea. NCCIH also notes that most nausea studies tested supplements, not foods or drinks.

This page gives no amounts, because the studies do not give a tea amount that has been shown to work. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you want to know what is right for you.

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What the research found

Nausea is the best-supported use. In pregnancy, pooled trials of capsules and powders found less nausea than placebo but not clearly less vomiting. After surgery, nausea scores were lower in the first hours. For chemotherapy, reviews disagree on capsules, and the one tea study was small and unblinded.

For pain, reviews of osteoarthritis and period pain are mixed or limited. For blood sugar, one review found lower levels and a newer one found no pooled effect. Migraine evidence is too weak to judge.

Ginger tea is not a treatment for any condition. If you have severe or lasting nausea, vomiting you cannot control, or pain, see a doctor.

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What is still missing

No trial tests ginger tea in pregnancy, after surgery or for motion sickness.

The amount of ginger in a cup of tea has not been measured in the studies we read.

No study tests ginger tea in people who take blood thinners.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Ginger root has long been used in food and medicine for upset stomach and nausea; the EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established medicine for motion-sickness nausea (the powder, not the tea).
In many traditions a warm ginger drink is used for colds and sore throats; the EU lists common-cold symptoms among traditional uses of the root.
Ginger is also used for cramps, loss of appetite and minor joint pain in traditional medicine.

Studied for research

Nausea in early pregnancy (capsules and powders), moderate
Chemotherapy nausea, tea itself, very low
Chemotherapy nausea, capsules, mixed
Nausea after surgery, low
Motion-sickness nausea, low
Knee osteoarthritis pain, low
Period pain, low
Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, mixed
Migraine, insufficient

Main compounds

6-Gingerol, the main pungent compound of fresh ginger
6-Shogaol, formed when ginger is dried or heated
Zingerone, formed when ginger is cooked

Common forms

Fresh sliced or grated root
Dried ginger tea bag (check for added tea leaves or herbs)
Ginger powder (used in many trials, not the same as a cup of tea)
Capsule or extract (used in most nausea trials)

Research links: NCCIH: Ginger · EMA: Ginger root herbal medicine summary · LiverTox: Ginger · LactMed: Ginger · Ginger tea in chemotherapy nausea, study (abstract) · Ginger in pregnancy nausea, meta-analysis (abstract) · Ginger and warfarin, case report (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Accepted scientific name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Naming authority: Roscoe
Common names: Ginger tea (English); Ginger root tea (English); Ginger infusion (English); Te de jengibre (Spanish); Jahe tea (Indonesian)
Family or group: Zingiberaceae
Classification: Plantae > Zingiberaceae > Zingiber > Zingiber officinale
Native range: Not read in the sources used for this page.
Habitat: Not read.
What it looks like: Part used: The rhizome (underground stem), fresh or dried.
Cultivation: Not read.
Harvest and processing: Not described in the sources read for this page. Drying and heating change the mix of compounds (see mechanisms and notes).
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Blends sold as ginger tea; Note: Some tea bags add black or green tea leaves, other herbs or flavourings. Check the label.; Name: Wild ginger (Asarum species); Note: An unrelated plant group with a similar name; not what ginger tea is made from.
Sustainability and conservation: Not assessed in the sources read.

Photographs

Close-up of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome — Ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale), the root used for the tea.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Ginger as a medicine	The EU medicines agency lists a long-standing, well-established use of powdered ginger root before travel for motion-sickness nausea, and traditional uses for mild stomach cramps, loss of appetite, minor joint pain and common-cold symptoms. These describe the powder, not a tea.	EMA ginger root monograph (2025), read in the ginger herb record, not re-opened for this page

Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
6-Gingerol PubChem 442793	gingerol (pungent compound)	Rhizome	The main pungent compound of fresh ginger. In test-tube and human gut-tissue work it blocked 5-HT3 receptors, a nausea pathway, at low micromolar concentrations. ^{39 30}	Laboratory research
6-Shogaol PubChem 5281794	shogaol (formed from gingerol)	Rhizome, more after drying or heating	Also blocked 5-HT3 receptors in the same test-tube and tissue work. How much ends up in a cup of tea was not found in the sources read. ^{39 30}	Laboratory research
Zingerone PubChem 31211	phenolic ketone (forms when ginger is cooked)	Cooked ginger	Studied mainly in animals for brain-protective effects; not tied to the tea trials. ³⁰	Animal research

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor in the gut (candidate for the anti-nausea effect)	HTR3A / HTR3B	Ginger extracts and their pungent compounds (6-gingerol, 6-shogaol) concentration-dependently blocked human 5-HT3 receptors in cell lines and in human gut nerve tissue, in a non-competitive way. Test-tube and tissue evidence only; blood levels in people are lower than the concentrations tested. ³⁹	Laboratory research

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Not studied for ginger tea in the sources read.
Distribution: Not read.
Metabolism: Not read.
Elimination: Not read.
Bioavailability: Not known for tea.

Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Ginger has been tested in people almost only as whole preparations (powder, capsules, extracts, and once as tea), never as pure gingerol. A tea is a water extract of the root: it carries the water-soluble part and some of the pungent compounds, but the amount is not measured, so results from capsules cannot be carried over to a cup of tea.

Nutritional composition

Ginger tea is a very low-calorie drink and not a meaningful source of vitamins or minerals. Ginger root as a food is covered on its own pages.

12benefits and uses looked at

42studies and sources checked

Moderate certaintybest evidence rating found

7lab markers tracked in trials

1 moderate certainty2 mixed findings5 low certainty3 very low certainty1 not enough evidence

What was looked at

The 12 benefits and uses checked for Ginger Tea, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (trials used capsules and powders, not tea)Moderate certainty
Chemotherapy nausea: ginger tea itselfVery low certainty
Chemotherapy nausea: ginger capsules and powderMixed findings
Nausea after an operation (trials used capsules and powders)Low certainty
Motion-sickness nauseaLow certainty
Knee osteoarthritis pain (capsules and extracts)Low certainty
Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea)Low certainty
Muscle soreness after hard exerciseVery low certainty
Indigestion and stomach emptyingVery low certainty
Blood sugar in type 2 diabetesMixed findings
Inflammation blood markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha)Low certainty
MigraineNot enough evidence

Lab markers tracked in the studies

Nausea scoreNumber of vomiting episodesExtra anti-sickness medicine usedNausea-related quality of lifePain scoreFasting blood glucoseC-reactive protein (CRP)

What is Ginger Tea good for?

The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. Read the certainty label first: most of these results come from ginger capsules and powders, not from a cup of tea.

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (trials used capsules and powders, not tea)Moderate certaintyPooled trials of ginger capsules and powders find less nausea than placebo in early pregnancy, and about the same as vitamin B6. Vomiting is not clearly reduced. The pooled reviews are rated low quality by some authors. We found no trial of ginger tea itself. Chemotherapy nausea: ginger tea itselfVery low certaintyOne study of 100 women on chemotherapy found lower nausea, vomiting and retching scores when ginger tea was added to usual medicine. It was not randomised or blinded, and a review rated the certainty very low. It is the only study of tea itself we found. Chemotherapy nausea: ginger capsules and powderMixed findingsFor capsules, reviews disagree. One found fewer people with severe nausea and vomiting; another found no overall difference. A 103-person placebo-controlled trial found less delayed nausea and vomiting. Nausea after an operation (trials used capsules and powders)Low certaintyTwo reviews of 14 trials each find lower nausea scores in the first hours after surgery than with placebo, but vomiting is not clearly lower. Trials used capsules and powders. Motion-sickness nauseaLow certaintyThe EU lists powdered ginger root as a well-established use for motion-sickness nausea. One 13-person spinning-drum test found less nausea. This is the powder, not tea. Knee osteoarthritis pain (capsules and extracts)Low certaintyOne review found small pain relief from oral ginger; a later one judged the evidence insufficient. More people stopped ginger than placebo in the first review. Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea)Low certaintyTwo reviews of small trials found less period pain than placebo, and similar to ordinary painkillers, with high variation and little safety reporting. Muscle soreness after hard exerciseVery low certaintyTwo small experiments found about a quarter less soreness a day after hard exercise in healthy volunteers. Indigestion and stomach emptyingVery low certaintyIn 11 people with indigestion, ginger sped up stomach emptying, but symptoms did not change. Blood sugar in type 2 diabetesMixed findingsOne review found lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c with ginger supplements; a newer one found no significant pooled effect. Inflammation blood markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha)Low certaintyPooled trials of supplements find small average falls in CRP and other inflammation markers. These are lab numbers, not symptoms. MigraineNot enough evidenceA 2026 review says it is too uncertain whether ginger helps migraine; most trials combined ginger with other drugs.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (trials used capsules and powders, not tea)

Moderate certainty

Pooled trials find less nausea than placebo, and about the same as vitamin B6, but not clearly less vomiting. The trials used capsules or powders. We found no trial of ginger tea in pregnancy.

4 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Viljoen 2014 (12 trials, 1,278 pregnant women, oral ginger) found less nausea than placebo. Hu 2022 (13 studies, 1,174 women) agreed for nausea and found no clear difference from vitamin B6. Tiani 2024 (umbrella review of 7 meta-analyses) found the same direction, with low-quality reviews.

Results

Less nausea than placebo; no clear change in vomiting; no significant extra miscarriage, heartburn or drowsiness in the pooled data, though the miscarriage estimate is very imprecise.

Effect sizes as reported

Nausea: mean difference 1.20 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.84) in Viljoen 2014; SMD 0.821 (95% CI 0.585 to 1.056) in Hu 2022. Miscarriage risk ratio 3.14 (95% CI 0.65 to 15.11).

Why this rating

Several pooled analyses point the same way, but the trials are small and differ, the pooled reviews were rated low or critically low quality by one group, and none tested tea. One umbrella review of the field (Crichton 2022) graded this benefit high; Tiani 2024 rated the reviews low. Rating: moderate for capsules and powders, insufficient for tea itself.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Pregnant women with nausea; trials of capsules and powders.

Limits

No trial of tea. Products and trial lengths vary; vomiting not clearly reduced.

Why researchers looked

Nausea in pregnancy is common and many women want a non-drug option.

Traditional use

Ginger root has long been used for upset stomach and nausea, and the EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established medicine for motion-sickness nausea (the powder, not a tea).

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

In test-tube and tissue work, ginger extracts and compounds from the root (6-gingerol, 6-shogaol) blocked human serotonin 5-HT3 receptors, a pathway that drives nausea. Whether the amount reaching the body from a cup of tea is enough has not been shown.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

See the safety file: the EU monograph advises avoiding ginger medicines in pregnancy as a precaution.

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Chemotherapy nausea: ginger tea itself

Very low certainty

One small study that was not randomised found lower nausea scores when ginger tea was added to usual anti-sickness medicine. A diet review rated the certainty of that result as very low.

2 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Wazqar 2021: 100 women on cisplatin-based chemotherapy, ginger tea plus usual medicine versus usual medicine, 50 in each group. Scores were lower with tea, with statistically significant differences at the third to fifth measurements. Gala 2022 (systematic review of diet strategies) rated the tea effect as large but with very low certainty.

Results

Lower nausea, vomiting and retching scores with tea at some time points; no ginger-related side effects noted.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given as numbers in the abstract.

Why this rating

One small study that was not randomised or blinded; the tea strength is not described in the abstract; the review rated certainty very low.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Women with gynecological cancers on cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Limits

Not randomised, not blinded, one centre; results do not apply to other chemotherapy or to other people.

Why researchers looked

Chemotherapy sickness is hard to control, so people look for add-ons such as ginger tea.

Traditional use

Ginger root has long been used for upset stomach and nausea, and the EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established medicine for motion-sickness nausea (the powder, not a tea).

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Do not use as a replacement for the anti-sickness medicine your cancer team prescribes. Ask them first.

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Chemotherapy nausea: ginger capsules and powder

Mixed findings

Reviews disagree. Some find less severe nausea and vomiting when capsules are added to usual medicine; another finds no overall difference. Results come from capsules, not tea.

3 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Lin 2025 (35 trials, 22 of ginger capsules) found fewer people with severe nausea and vomiting when capsules were added to usual medicine. Choi 2022 (23 trials) found no overall difference in nausea or delayed vomiting, but less acute vomiting in one subgroup. Crichton 2024 (103 adults, placebo-controlled) found less delayed nausea and vomiting and better nausea-related quality of life, with no effect on acute nausea and vomiting.

Results

Mixed. Some benefit for delayed nausea in one trial and for severe nausea in one review; no overall effect in another review.

Effect sizes as reported

Lin 2025: grade 3 acute nausea risk ratio 0.19, high-grade vomiting 0.47. Crichton 2024: delayed nausea in cycle 3, 49% vs 79%.

Why this rating

Reviews reach different answers, trials differ in design, and the strongest review includes ginger-on-the-skin moxibustion trials. A good-quality 103-person placebo-controlled trial was positive for delayed nausea.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Adults on moderately to highly sickness-causing chemotherapy.

Limits

Capsules and powders only; subgroup findings may be chance; tea not tested here.

Why researchers looked

Same reason as above; the supplement trials are where most of the research sits.

Traditional use

Ginger root has long been used for upset stomach and nausea, and the EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established medicine for motion-sickness nausea (the powder, not a tea).

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No serious adverse events in the Crichton 2024 trial. Ask your cancer team before adding ginger supplements.

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Nausea after an operation (trials used capsules and powders)

Low certainty

Pooled trials find lower nausea scores with ginger than placebo in the first hours after surgery, but little change in vomiting or in how many people need anti-sickness medicine.

2 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Zhu 2021 (14 trials, 1,417 people) and Lu 2022 (14 trials, 1,506 people) both found lower nausea with ginger than with placebo. Vomiting was not clearly changed in either review.

Results

Lower nausea scores in the first 12 hours; vomiting not clearly lower.

Effect sizes as reported

Lu 2022: nausea scores lower at 2, 6 and 12 hours (SMD -1.10, -1.54, -2.04). Zhu 2021: nausea severity MD -0.71 (95% CI -1.37 to -0.06).

Why this rating

Two reviews agree on nausea, but both note varied products, very wide intervals and a need for better trials; no tea trial.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Adults having surgery.

Limits

Ginger products vary; vomiting results are not clear; tea not tested.

Why researchers looked

Nausea after surgery is common and delays recovery.

Traditional use

Ginger root has long been used for upset stomach and nausea, and the EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established medicine for motion-sickness nausea (the powder, not a tea).

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Tell your surgeon about any ginger you use; see the safety file on bleeding.

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Motion-sickness nausea

Low certainty

The EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established use for motion-sickness nausea. The trial we read was a small spinning-drum test with a measured amount of powder.

2 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Lien 2003: 13 volunteers with a history of motion sickness had less nausea, less tachygastria and lower vasopressin with ginger than placebo in a spinning-drum test.

Results

Less nausea; nausea started later and recovery was faster in the test.

Effect sizes as reported

Scores not given as numbers in the abstract beyond direction.

Why this rating

Small crossover trial of 13 people in an artificial test, plus a regulator monograph for the powder. Tea not tested.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Healthy volunteers who get motion sickness.

Limits

13 people, spinning-drum test, powder not tea.

Why researchers looked

Ginger is a traditional travel remedy.

Traditional use

Ginger root has long been used for upset stomach and nausea, and the EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established medicine for motion-sickness nausea (the powder, not a tea).

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

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Knee osteoarthritis pain (capsules and extracts)

Low certainty

Pooled trials find small pain relief, but a later review judged the evidence too weak to support oral ginger. More people stopped ginger than placebo.

2 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Bartels 2015: 5 trials, 593 people, small pain and disability reduction versus placebo; more people stopped treatment with ginger. Araya-Quintanilla 2020: pooled oral capsules showed lower pain on a scale but the authors conclude the evidence is insufficient.

Results

Small average pain reduction; reviews disagree on whether it is worth recommending.

Effect sizes as reported

Bartels: pain SMD -0.30; stopping RR 2.33. Araya-Quintanilla: pain 7.88 mm lower on a 100 mm scale.

Why this rating

Two reviews with different conclusions, small trials of poor quality, no tea trials. NCCIH also says much of the research is of poor quality. An umbrella review graded the pain effect high, so the evidence is mixed.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Limits

Small trials; capsules and extracts; poor-quality reporting.

Why researchers looked

Ginger is anti-inflammatory in lab tests, so people try it for sore joints.

Traditional use

Ginger is used in many traditions for sore joints and rheumatism.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Lab studies show ginger compounds can block inflammation chemicals; this is lab work, not proof in joints.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

More people stopped ginger than placebo in one review.

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Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea)

Low certainty

Pooled trials find less pain than placebo, and similar pain relief to ordinary painkillers. Safety data were rarely reported.

2 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Moshfeghinia 2024: 12 trials pooled, less pain intensity and shorter pain than placebo; no difference from NSAIDs or exercise. Daily 2015: 4 placebo-controlled trials, lower pain scores.

Results

Lower pain scores than placebo; similar to NSAIDs in the trials that compared them.

Effect sizes as reported

Moshfeghinia: intensity SMD -1.13; duration SMD -0.29; versus NSAIDs SMD 0.01. Daily: -1.85 on a pain scale.

Why this rating

Several small trials pooled in two reviews, with high inconsistency and risk of bias; authors call the evidence suggestive. No tea trials.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Women with painful periods.

Limits

High inconsistency; short trials; safety rarely reported.

Why researchers looked

Period cramps are common and many women prefer non-drug options.

Traditional use

Ginger is a folk remedy for cramps.

Proposed mechanism Insufficient

Not established in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Safety data were infrequently reported.

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Muscle soreness after hard exercise

Very low certainty

Two small experiments found less soreness a day after hard arm exercise with daily ginger for 11 days.

1 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Black 2010: two double-blind placebo-controlled experiments with 34 and 40 volunteers; raw and heated ginger each reduced next-day pain by about a quarter.

Results

About 25% lower pain at 24 hours; smaller effects on other measures.

Effect sizes as reported

Raw 25% (P = .041); heated 23% (P = .049).

Why this rating

Two small experiments from one team in healthy volunteers; induced soreness; not tea.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Healthy young volunteers.

Limits

Tiny samples; not a medical condition.

Why researchers looked

Ginger is anti-inflammatory in rodents.

Traditional use

Not a main traditional claim for this use.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Rodent work suggests anti-inflammatory effects; not shown here.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

⁵

Indigestion and stomach emptying

Very low certainty

In 11 people with functional indigestion, ginger sped up stomach emptying after a meal, but symptoms did not change.

1 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Hu 2011: 11 patients with functional dyspepsia; stomach half-emptying time 12.3 vs 16.1 minutes (P <= 0.05); symptoms and gut hormones did not differ.

Results

Faster stomach emptying; no change in symptoms.

Effect sizes as reported

Median half-emptying 12.3 vs 16.1 minutes.

Why this rating

One tiny crossover trial; no symptom benefit; capsules, not tea.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

11 people with functional dyspepsia.

Limits

Single test meal; 11 people.

Why researchers looked

Ginger is a traditional remedy for upset stomach.

Traditional use

Used for indigestion in many traditions; the EU lists traditional use for mild stomach cramps and loss of appetite.

Proposed mechanism Human data

Ginger stimulated stomach contractions in the ultrasound test.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Heartburn is a listed common effect; see the safety file.

¹⁸

Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes

Mixed findings

Reviews disagree: one found lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c; a newer one found no significant pooled effect.

2 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Ebrahimzadeh 2022: 10 trials, lower fasting glucose and HbA1c, lower blood pressure, no change in blood fats. Schumacher 2024: 5 studies, no significant pooled effect.

Results

Lower in one pooled analysis, not significant in another.

Effect sizes as reported

Ebrahimzadeh: fasting glucose -18.81, HbA1c -0.57. Schumacher: not significant.

Why this rating

Two reviews disagree; very high inconsistency; capsules, not tea.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Adults with type 2 diabetes.

Limits

Small, varied trials; people already take diabetes medicine.

Why researchers looked

Ginger compounds affect glucose handling in cells.

Traditional use

Not a main traditional claim.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Cell work suggests effects on glucose uptake; not shown in people here.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

If you use diabetes medicine, ginger supplements could add to blood sugar lowering; see the safety file.

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Inflammation blood markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha)

Low certainty

Pooled trials of ginger supplements found lower inflammation markers on average, but these are lab numbers, not symptoms.

1 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Rjabi 2025: 29 randomised trials; CRP -0.86 mg/L, TNF-alpha and IL-6 lower; antioxidant markers higher.

Results

Lower average CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6.

Effect sizes as reported

CRP WMD -0.86 mg/L (95% CI -1.10 to -0.62).

Why this rating

Statistically significant but small shifts, high inconsistency, and markers are not symptoms.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

Adults, many with long-term conditions.

Limits

High inconsistency; not symptom outcomes.

Why researchers looked

Ginger is often called anti-inflammatory.

Traditional use

Used traditionally for pain and colds.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Ginger compounds block inflammation chemicals in cells and animals.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

³²

Migraine

Not enough evidence

A 2026 review of eight trials says it is too uncertain whether ginger helps migraine, mostly because ginger was combined with other drugs.

1 studiesNot shown on this page.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Atkins 2026: eight randomised trials, 594 people; certainty low to very low.

Results

Too uncertain to conclude.

Effect sizes as reported

Not pooled for ginger alone.

Why this rating

Few trials, mostly ginger given with other drugs or herbs.

Form and dose studied

Not shown on this page.

Who was studied

People with migraine.

Limits

Few trials, combinations, low certainty.

Why researchers looked

Ginger is used for pain and nausea.

Traditional use

Listed among traditional uses in some herbal books.

Proposed mechanism Insufficient

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

Connections to the rest of health

How Ginger Tea connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nausea Relief	Demonstrated clinical effect	Moderate certainty	Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (trials used capsules and powders, not tea): Pooled trials find less nausea than placebo, and about the same as vitamin B6, but not clearly less vomiting. The trials used capsules or powders. We found no trial of ginger tea in pregnancy. Nausea after an operation (trials used capsules and powders): Pooled trials find lower nausea scores with ginger than placebo in the first hours after surgery, but little change in vomiting or in how many people need anti-sickness medicine.	^{38 19 36 9 42 25}
Pregnancy Support	Demonstrated clinical effect	Moderate certainty	Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (trials used capsules and powders, not tea): Pooled trials find less nausea than placebo, and about the same as vitamin B6, but not clearly less vomiting. The trials used capsules or powders. We found no trial of ginger tea in pregnancy.	^{38 19 36 9}
Nausea Relief		Very low certainty	Chemotherapy nausea: ginger tea itself: One small study that was not randomised found lower nausea scores when ginger tea was added to usual anti-sickness medicine. A diet review rated the certainty of that result as very low. Motion-sickness nausea: The EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established use for motion-sickness nausea. The trial we read was a small spinning-drum test with a measured amount of powder.	^{40 17 22 15}
Cancer Support		Very low certainty	Chemotherapy nausea: ginger tea itself: One small study that was not randomised found lower nausea scores when ginger tea was added to usual anti-sickness medicine. A diet review rated the certainty of that result as very low.	^{40 17}
Nausea Relief		Mixed findings	Chemotherapy nausea: ginger capsules and powder: Reviews disagree. Some find less severe nausea and vomiting when capsules are added to usual medicine; another finds no overall difference. Results come from capsules, not tea.	^{23 7 10}
Cancer Support		Mixed findings	Chemotherapy nausea: ginger capsules and powder: Reviews disagree. Some find less severe nausea and vomiting when capsules are added to usual medicine; another finds no overall difference. Results come from capsules, not tea.	^{23 7 10}
Recovery	Demonstrated clinical effect	Low certainty	Nausea after an operation (trials used capsules and powders): Pooled trials find lower nausea scores with ginger than placebo in the first hours after surgery, but little change in vomiting or in how many people need anti-sickness medicine.	^{42 25}
Travel		Low certainty	Motion-sickness nausea: The EU medicines agency lists powdered ginger root as a well-established use for motion-sickness nausea. The trial we read was a small spinning-drum test with a measured amount of powder.	^{22 15}
Joint Health		Low certainty	Knee osteoarthritis pain (capsules and extracts): Pooled trials find small pain relief, but a later review judged the evidence too weak to support oral ginger. More people stopped ginger than placebo.	^{4 1}
Pain Relief		Low certainty	Knee osteoarthritis pain (capsules and extracts): Pooled trials find small pain relief, but a later review judged the evidence too weak to support oral ginger. More people stopped ginger than placebo.	^{4 1}
Womens Health	Demonstrated clinical effect	Low certainty	Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea): Pooled trials find less pain than placebo, and similar pain relief to ordinary painkillers. Safety data were rarely reported.	^{28 11}
Pain Relief	Demonstrated clinical effect	Low certainty	Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea): Pooled trials find less pain than placebo, and similar pain relief to ordinary painkillers. Safety data were rarely reported.	^{28 11}
Pain Relief		Very low certainty	Muscle soreness after hard exercise: Two small experiments found less soreness a day after hard arm exercise with daily ginger for 11 days.	⁵
Sports Recovery		Very low certainty	Muscle soreness after hard exercise: Two small experiments found less soreness a day after hard arm exercise with daily ginger for 11 days.	⁵
Digestive Health		Very low certainty	Indigestion and stomach emptying: In 11 people with functional indigestion, ginger sped up stomach emptying after a meal, but symptoms did not change.	¹⁸
Blood Sugar		Mixed findings	Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes: Reviews disagree: one found lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c; a newer one found no significant pooled effect.	^{13 33}
Inflammation		Low certainty	Inflammation blood markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha): Pooled trials of ginger supplements found lower inflammation markers on average, but these are lab numbers, not symptoms.	³²
Headache		Not enough evidence	Migraine: A 2026 review of eight trials says it is too uncertain whether ginger helps migraine, mostly because ginger was combined with other drugs.	³

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Digestive system	Adverse effect or risk	Low certainty	Heartburn, stomach upset and diarrhea are the common mild effects. Preparation or compound: Powder, capsules and extracts; tea not measured	^{15 2 31}
Blood clotting	Drug or supplement interaction	Very low certainty	Possible added bleeding effect with warfarin or antiplatelet drugs: one case, one negative trial and lab tests. Preparation or compound: Ginger root	^{21 20 26 41 34}
Pregnancy	Contraindication	Low certainty	EU monograph advises avoiding medicinal use as a precaution; trials for nausea found no clear harm but are small. Preparation or compound: Ginger root as medicine	^{15 38}
Digestive System	Biological association	Moderate certainty	Studied for: Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (trials used capsules and powders, not tea) Studied for: Chemotherapy nausea: ginger tea itself	^{38 19 36 9 40 17 23 7 10 42 25 22 15 18}
Nervous System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Motion-sickness nausea Studied for: Migraine	^{22 15 3}
Musculoskeletal System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Knee osteoarthritis pain (capsules and extracts) Studied for: Muscle soreness after hard exercise	^{4 1 5}
Reproductive System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea)	^{28 11}
Endocrine System	Biological association	Mixed findings	Studied for: Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes	^{13 33}
Immune System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Inflammation blood markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha)	³²

D. Symptoms

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy		Moderate certainty	Pooled trials find less nausea than placebo; vomiting not clearly reduced. Preparation or compound: Ginger capsules and powders (not tea)	^{38 19 36}
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting		Very low certainty	Lower scores in one study; capsule reviews disagree. Preparation or compound: Ginger tea (one small non-randomised study)	^{40 17 23}

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nausea score	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{38 25 40}
Number of vomiting episodes	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: no-consistent-change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{38 25 7}
Extra anti-sickness medicine used	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{42 25}
Nausea-related quality of life	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: improved. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁰
Pain score	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{4 28 1}
Fasting blood glucose	Biological association	Mixed findings	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{13 33}
C-reactive protein (CRP)	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³²

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor signalling	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Blocked by ginger extracts and 6-gingerol in test-tube and human gut tissue work.	³⁹

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
6-Gingerol	Biological association	In vitro	The main pungent compound of fresh ginger. In test-tube and human gut-tissue work it blocked 5-HT3 receptors, a nausea pathway, at low micromolar concentrations. Preparation or compound: Rhizome	^{39 30}
6-Shogaol	Biological association	In vitro	Also blocked 5-HT3 receptors in the same test-tube and tissue work. How much ends up in a cup of tea was not found in the sources read. Preparation or compound: Rhizome, more after drying or heating	^{39 30}
Zingerone	Biological association	Animal	Studied mainly in animals for brain-protective effects; not tied to the tea trials. Preparation or compound: Cooked ginger	³⁰

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 5 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Metabolic1 Inflammatory1 Other3

The evidence

The research centre for Ginger Tea. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (trials used capsules and powders, not tea) 4 studies Moderate certainty Chemotherapy nausea: ginger tea itself 2 studies Very low certainty Chemotherapy nausea: ginger capsules and powder 3 studies · 103 people in trials Mixed findings Nausea after an operation (trials used capsules and powders) 2 studies Low certainty Motion-sickness nausea 2 studies · 13 people in trials Low certainty Knee osteoarthritis pain (capsules and extracts) 2 studies Low certainty Period pain (primary dysmenorrhea) 2 studies Low certainty Muscle soreness after hard exercise 1 study · 74 people in trials Very low certainty Indigestion and stomach emptying 1 study · 11 people in trials Very low certainty Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes 2 studies Mixed findings Inflammation blood markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha) 1 study Low certainty Migraine 1 study Not enough evidence

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 36 PubMed papers, plus the NCCIH, LiverTox and LactMed entries, checked the plant name in GBIF and compounds in PubChem. The EU monograph was read earlier for the ginger herb page and was not re-opened here. We could not read the German Commission E or WHO monographs.

Study library: every study we checked 42

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Araya-Quintanilla 2020 Effectiveness of Ginger on Pain and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: A PRISMA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Physician · PMID 32214292	Meta-analysis	Knee osteoarthritis; 7 trials, 4 pooled	Oral ginger capsules; topical ginger unspecified Not shown on this page Varied · vs Placebo; standard treatment	Seven trials met the criteria, four were pooled. Capsules versus placebo: pain 7.88 mm lower on a 100 mm scale (95% CI 3.85 to 11.92); knee function change was not significant. Topical ginger versus standard treatment: no significant difference. The authors conclude there is insufficient evidence for oral ginger for pain relief and function in knee osteoarthritis. Pain MD -7.88 mm (P=0.00); topical vs standard treatment not significant (Pain 3.85 to 11.92 as printed in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain, knee function Limitations: Authors describe the evidence as heterogeneous and of poor quality. Reaches a more cautious conclusion than Bartels 2015. Capsules; the topical comparison was ginger on the skin. Read: abstract
Aregawi 2025 Evaluation of adverse effects and tolerability of dietary ginger supplementation in patients with functional dyspepsia Curr Ther Res Clin Exp · PMID 40474983 · DOI	Non randomised trial	47 adults with functional dyspepsia (78.7% female)	Ginger supplement rhizome Not shown on this page 8 weeks	47 of 50 patients completed 8 weeks of ginger supplements. Mild, short-lived effects: bloating 14.9%, heartburn 12.8%, diarrhea 10.6%; none caused anyone to stop; 87.2% rated tolerability good or excellent; no severe adverse events. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Open-label, no placebo group, 50 people, patients had dyspepsia at the start so symptoms may be from the condition. Read: abstract
Atkins 2026 Ginger for the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Evid Based Med · PMID 42601183 · DOI	Meta-analysis	594 Patients with migraine in 8 RCTs	Ginger (stand-alone or add-on) unspecified Not shown on this page Acute and 3-month prevention · vs Placebo or active drugs (ketoprofen, sumatriptan, valproate, amitriptyline)	Eight randomised trials. The authors judge the volume of evidence limited and the certainty low or very low, so it is too uncertain whether ginger works as an acute or preventive treatment for migraine. Acute MD -1.27 (1 study); prevention pooled MD -3.18 (Acute -1.46 to -1.08; prevention -3.94 to -2.42) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Headache severity, pain free or relief, attack frequency and duration, associated symptoms; GRADE certainty Limitations: Eight trials, 594 people; most tested ginger combined with other drugs or herbs; certainty low to very low. Not tea. Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251025768 Read: abstract
Bartels 2015 Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage · PMID 25300574 · DOI	Meta-analysis	593 Osteoarthritis patients; 5 RCTs	Oral ginger unspecified Not shown on this page Varied · vs Placebo	Five trials, 593 people with osteoarthritis. Oral ginger gave a small pain reduction (SMD -0.30, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.09) and a small reduction in disability (SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.04) versus placebo. People on ginger were more than twice as likely to stop treatment (RR 2.33, 95% CI 1.04 to 5.22). Pain SMD -0.30 (P=0.005); disability SMD -0.22 (P=0.01); discontinuation RR 2.33 (Pain -0.50 to -0.09; disability -0.39 to -0.04; discontinuation 1.04-5.22) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain, disability, withdrawals due to adverse events Limitations: Five small trials, several with inadequate intention-to-treat analysis; authors rate evidence moderate quality. Oral ginger supplements, not tea. A later review (Araya-Quintanilla 2020) reached a more cautious conclusion. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42011001777 Read: abstract
Black 2010 Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise. J Pain · PMID 20418184 · DOI	Controlled trial	74 Healthy volunteers after arm exercise that induces soreness (34 raw-ginger study, 40 heated-ginger study)	Raw ginger; heat-treated ginger rhizome Not shown on this page 11 days · vs Placebo	Two double-blind placebo-controlled experiments in 74 volunteers. Eleven days of raw ginger and of heat-treated ginger each cut pain 24 hours after hard arm exercise by about a quarter versus placebo (raw 25%, P = .041; heated 23%, P = .049). Effects on other measures were smaller. Raw -0.78 SD (P=0.041); heated -0.57 SD (P=0.049) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain 24 hours after exercise, plasma PGE2, arm volume, range of motion, strength Limitations: Two small experiments (34 and 40 volunteers) by the same team; induced muscle soreness in healthy people, not a medical condition. Ginger eaten daily as raw or heated ginger, not tea. Read: abstract
Chiang 2006 Ginger significantly decreased the oral bioavailability of cyclosporine in rats Am J Chin Med · PMID 17080549 · DOI	Animal research animal	rats	Ginger juice rhizome Not shown on this page single dose · vs Cyclosporine alone	Ginger juice (5 ml/kg) given with oral cyclosporine lowered Cmax by 70.9% and AUC by 63.1%; given 2 hours earlier, by 51.4% and 40.3%. Intravenous cyclosporine was unchanged, so the effect is on absorption. Authors say patients on cyclosporine should be discouraged from ginger products. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Rats, ginger juice, single study; human relevance not shown. Read: abstract
Choi 2022 Effects of Ginger Intake on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Nutrients · PMID 36501010 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Chemotherapy patients; 23 RCTs	Ginger supplements vs placebo or antiemetics rhizome (unspecified) Not shown on this page Subgroup: more than 4 days · vs Placebo or antiemetic agents	23 randomised trials. Overall, acute nausea (p = 0.53), delayed nausea (p = 0.31), acute vomiting (p = 0.09) and delayed vomiting (p = 0.89) did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. One subgroup had significantly less acute vomiting (odds ratio 0.30, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.79). Subgroup acute vomiting OR 0.30 (P=0.02) (95% CI 0.12-0.79) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Acute and delayed nausea and vomiting Limitations: The subgroup finding comes from splitting trials by amount and length, so it may be chance. The authors say they could not confirm an effect on nausea or on delayed vomiting. Supplements, not tea. Read: abstract
Chuah 2011 The effects of ginger on gallbladder motility in healthy male humans J Neurogastroenterol Motil · PMID 22148111 · DOI	Controlled trial	19 healthy men aged about 21	Ginger capsules rhizome Not shown on this page single dose, crossover · vs Placebo (starch)	No difference between ginger and placebo in gallbladder volume or ejection fraction after a test meal, or in bloating, fullness, nausea or discomfort scores. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: 19 healthy young men, one single capsule dose; no people with gallstones, so it says nothing about gallstone safety. Read: abstract
Crichton 2022 Orally consumed ginger and human health: an umbrella review. Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 35147170 · DOI	Systematic review	24 systematic reviews of oral ginger in humans	Oral ginger of any type unspecified Not shown on this page Up to 3 months · vs Various	Strongest evidence: pregnancy nausea (large effect, GRADE high), osteoarthritis pain (small effect, GRADE high), glycemic control (GRADE very low to moderate). Dysmenorrhea, postoperative nausea, chemotherapy vomiting, blood pressure, weight: low to moderate. Lipids: very low. Effect sizes graded: large (pregnancy nausea); small (osteoarthritis pain); small (lipids) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Any health outcome; AMSTAR-2 and GRADE graded Limitations: Substantial inconsistency and poor reporting of products across the source reviews. Ginger here means oral forms mostly capsules, not tea; GRADE grades are the authors' own. Read: abstract
Crichton 2024 Effect of a Standardized Ginger Root Powder Regimen on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial. J Acad Nutr Diet · PMID 37699474 · DOI	Controlled trial	103 Chemotherapy-naive adults starting moderately to highly emetogenic chemotherapy, two Australian hospitals	Standardized ginger root powder capsules (4 capsules, 84 mg/day gingerols and shogaols) rhizome (root) Not shown on this page 5 days from chemotherapy day, cycles 1 to 3 · vs Placebo, on top of usual antiemetics	103 adults on moderately to highly sickness-causing chemotherapy. Ginger capsules improved nausea-related quality of life (P = 0.003), overall chemotherapy-sickness quality of life (P < 0.001), delayed nausea severity (P = 0.003) and fatigue (P = 0.002) versus placebo. Delayed nausea in cycle 3 was 49% vs 79% and delayed vomiting 2% vs 23%. No effect on anticipatory or acute nausea and vomiting, anxiety or depression. No serious adverse events. Nausea QoL change P=0.003, partial eta squared 0.09; overall CINV QoL P<0.001 Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nausea-related quality of life (primary); delayed nausea and vomiting; fatigue; nutrition Limitations: Two hospitals, 103 people; many outcomes were tested (the authors used a stricter P = 0.003 cut-off). Capsules with a measured amount of ginger compounds, not tea. Funding not recorded here. Read: abstract
Daily 2015 Efficacy of Ginger for Alleviating the Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Pain Med · PMID 26177393 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Women with primary dysmenorrhea; 7 RCTs, 4 pooled	Ginger powder rhizome Not shown on this page First 3-4 days of the menstrual cycle · vs Placebo	Four placebo-controlled trials pooled: significantly lower pain scores (-1.85, 95% CI -2.87 to -0.84, P = 0.0003) in the first 3 to 4 days of the period. Pain VAS -1.85 (P=0.0003) (95% CI -2.87 to -0.84) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain on visual analogue scale Limitations: Only four trials pooled; the authors call the evidence suggestive. Six of seven trials had low to moderate risk of bias. Powder, not tea. Read: abstract
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) 2026 Ginger (LactMed) LactMed (record dated 2026 Oct 15) · PMID 30000845	Authoritative guidance		Ginger rhizome	Abstract read via PubMed: very limited data on ginger in nursing mothers or infants; GRAS as a food flavouring including during lactation; as a medicinal generally well tolerated, with occasional bad taste, heartburn, abdominal discomfort, weight gain, headache, dry mouth and nausea; states 'ginger can increase bleeding risk when taken with warfarin'. A systematic review found weak evidence that ginger may raise milk supply after vaginal birth but not after caesarean. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Summary text only; it cites no numbers for the warfarin statement here. Read: summary-only
Ebrahimzadeh 2022 The effect of ginger supplementation on metabolic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med · PMID 35031435 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Adults with type 2 diabetes; 10 articles	Ginger supplements unspecified Not shown on this page Varied · vs Control	Ten trials in type 2 diabetes. Lower fasting glucose (weighted mean difference -18.81, 95% CI -28.70 to -8.92) and HbA1c (-0.57, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.20), and lower blood pressure. No change in triglycerides or cholesterol. FBS WMD -18.81; HbA1c WMD -0.57; SBP -4.20; DBP -1.61 (FBS -28.70 to -8.92 (I2 77.4%); HbA1c -0.93 to -0.20 (I2 88.6%)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Fasting glucose, HbA1c, blood pressure, lipids Limitations: Very high inconsistency between trials; small trials of mixed quality; capsules and powders. A newer analysis (Schumacher 2024) disagrees. Read: abstract
Egashira 2012 Food-drug interaction of tacrolimus with pomelo, ginger, and turmeric juice in rats Drug Metab Pharmacokinet · PMID 22123127 · DOI	Animal research animal	rats	Ginger juice rhizome · vs Water	Tacrolimus AUC was significantly larger in rats pre-treated with ginger juice than with water (also with turmeric, grapefruit, pomelo). Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Rats; the abstract gives no ginger-specific numbers; human relevance not shown. Read: abstract
European Medicines Agency 2025 EU herbal monograph on Zingiber officinale Roscoe, rhizoma, Final Revision 1 (EMA/HMPC/885789/2022) EMA monograph, adopted 7 May 2025 · Source	Authoritative guidance		Ginger rhizome powder, tinctures rhizome	Reused from the ginger herb record, where the monograph text was read; it was not re-opened for this page. Well-established use: powdered ginger root before travel for motion-sickness nausea and vomiting (adults). Contraindication: hypersensitivity only. Not recommended under 18 years. No interactions known. Pregnancy: moderate amount of data (300 to 1000 outcomes) showing no malformation or foetal toxicity, but avoiding use is preferable as a precaution; lactation not recommended. Common effects (1 in 100 to under 1 in 10): stomach upset, belching, indigestion, heartburn, nausea. No overdose reported. In pregnant rodents ginger powder or water extracts raised embryo resorption at doses from slightly above to a few times higher than human medicine doses. Adequate reproductive, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity tests were not done. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Concerns the powder and extracts used as medicines, not tea. Not re-opened in this build. Read: summary-only
GBIF Secretariat 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Zingiber officinale Roscoe (usageKey 2757280) API / web page · Source	Database record n/a	n/a	n/a	Match on 2026-10-25: accepted species, exact match, family Zingiberaceae, order Zingiberales. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: Name database only; synonym list not reviewed. Read: full-text
Gala 2022 Dietary strategies for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic review. Clin Nutr · PMID 36067586 · DOI	Systematic review	21 Adults having chemotherapy (21 studies of diet strategies)	Dietary strategies including ginger tea tea Not shown on this page · vs No intervention, usual care or other strategies	The best-supported strategy was personal nutrition education and support from a dietitian (GRADE: high). The authors found a statistically significant, very large positive effect of ginger tea on overall nausea and vomiting severity, but their certainty in that effect was very low. Ginger tea: large effect, certainty very low (authors) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Incidence and severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting Limitations: The ginger tea finding rests on the single small study listed above. Abstract only. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Hu 2011 Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia. World J Gastroenterol · PMID 21218090 · DOI	Controlled trial	11 Patients with functional dyspepsia, crossover, Taiwan	Ginger capsules unspecified Not shown on this page Single test meal · vs Placebo (crossover)	Eleven patients were studied twice. Stomach emptying was faster after ginger than placebo (median half-emptying time 12.3 vs 16.1 minutes, P <= 0.05). Fundus size, symptoms and gut hormones did not differ. Half-emptying 12.3 min (8.5-17.0) vs 16.1 min (8.3-22.6), P<=0.05 (Ranges given as min-max, not confidence intervals) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Gastric half-emptying time (ultrasound), antral contractions, symptoms, GLP-1, motilin, ghrelin Limitations: Only 11 people with functional dyspepsia, single test meal; symptoms did not change. Capsules, not tea. Read: abstract
Hu 2022 Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med · PMID 31937153 · DOI	Meta-analysis	1174 Pregnant women, 13 RCTs	oral ginger (preparations varied between trials) rhizome (unspecified) Not shown on this page Varied · vs Placebo; vitamin B6	Versus placebo, ginger improved general symptoms and nausea (nausea SMD 0.821, 95% CI 0.585 to 1.056) but not vomiting. Versus vitamin B6 there was no significant difference on any outcome. vs placebo: general symptoms OR 7.475; nausea SMD 0.821; vomiting SMD 0.549 (not significant). vs B6: all not significant (General symptoms OR 4.133-13.520; nausea SMD 0.585-1.056; vomiting SMD -0.268 to 1.365; vs B6 nausea SMD -0.102 to 0.500) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: General NVP symptoms, nausea severity, vomiting Limitations: High inconsistency between trials for vomiting and for the vitamin B6 comparison; the authors ask for larger, better-designed trials. Products were supplements, not tea. Read: abstract
Jiang 2005 Effect of ginkgo and ginger on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects Br J Clin Pharmacol · PMID 15801937 · DOI	Controlled trial	12 healthy men	Ginger herbal product, 'recommended doses' rhizome 7 days before and 7 days after a single 25 mg warfarin dose · vs Warfarin alone	INR and platelet aggregation were not affected by ginger alone. Ratio of S-warfarin clearance with ginger vs warfarin alone 1.05 (90% CI 0.97-1.13); R-warfarin 1.02 (0.95-1.10); INR AUC ratio 1.01 (0.93-1.15). No effect on CYP2C9 marker. Authors conclude ginger at recommended doses did not significantly affect clotting status or warfarin pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics in healthy subjects. INR AUC ratio 1.01 (0.93-1.15) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Warfarin PK/PD, INR, platelet aggregation Limitations: 12 healthy men, single warfarin dose, 7 days of ginger before; open-label crossover. Not patients on long-term warfarin; short exposure; one commercial product. Read: abstract
Krüth 2004 Ginger-associated overanticoagulation by phenprocoumon Ann Pharmacother · PMID 14742762 · DOI	Case report	1 76-year-old woman on phenprocoumon	Ginger products (unspecified) rhizome Several weeks	A 76-year-old woman on long-term phenprocoumon (a warfarin-type drug) with stable INR began ginger products; weeks later INR rose up to 10 with nosebleed. INR normalised after ginger was stopped and vitamin K1 given. Authors rate causality 'probable'. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: INR, bleeding Limitations: One case; ginger product, dose and other factors not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Lien 2003 Effects of ginger on motion sickness and gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by circular vection. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol · PMID 12576305 · DOI	Controlled trial	13 Volunteers with a history of motion sickness, spinning-drum (circular vection) test, Taiwan	Ginger unspecified Not shown on this page Single session · vs Placebo (crossover)	In 13 volunteers with a history of motion sickness, pre-treatment with ginger reduced nausea, abnormal fast stomach rhythm (tachygastria) and the stress hormone vasopressin during a spinning-drum test. Nausea started later and recovery was faster. Not given in abstract Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nausea score 0-3, stomach rhythm (electrogastrogram), plasma vasopressin Limitations: Only 13 volunteers who get motion sickness, a spinning-drum test and not real travel. Ginger given as a measured amount of powder, not tea. Read: abstract
Lin 2025 Efficacy and Safety of Ginger on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cancer Nurs · PMID 38625733 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Chemotherapy patients; 35 RCTs (22 ginger capsules, 13 ginger-partitioned moxibustion)	Ginger capsules, plus ginger-partitioned moxibustion (ginger slice heated on the skin) rhizome (unspecified) Not shown on this page Varied · vs Standard antiemetics alone or placebo	Ginger capsules added to standard anti-sickness drugs reduced the number of people with grade 3 acute nausea (risk ratio 0.19, P < .001) and with high-grade overall vomiting (risk ratio 0.47, P = .01). The authors say it enhanced the management of severe nausea and vomiting, particularly with highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Grade 3 acute nausea RR 0.19 (P<0.001); high-grade overall vomiting RR 0.47 (P=0.01) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Incidence and severity of CINV Limitations: Includes 13 trials of ginger-partitioned moxibustion (ginger placed on the skin and heated), which is not drinking ginger. The abstract does not give patient numbers or the risk of bias. Tested capsules, not tea. Pooled results conflict with another review (Choi 2022). Registration: PROSPERO CRD4202232104 Read: abstract
LiverTox 2024 Ginger (LiverTox) LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (entry dated 2024 Feb 10) · PMID 38381909	Authoritative guidance		Ginger rhizome	Opening statement read via PubMed: ginger is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and has not been linked to serum aminotransferase elevations nor to instances of clinically apparent liver injury. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Only the abstract-level opening statement was read; the full web page blocks automated access, so any likelihood score or reference list was not read. Read: summary-only
Lu 2022 The preventive and relieving effects of ginger on postoperative nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Nurs Stud · PMID 34700257 · DOI	Meta-analysis	1506 Surgical patients; 14 RCTs	oral ginger (preparations varied between trials) unspecified Not shown on this page Varied · vs Placebo	14 trials, 1,506 people. Nausea scores were lower with ginger than with placebo at 2, 6 and 12 hours after surgery. Vomiting, nausea and vomiting combined, and anti-sickness drug use did not differ significantly (except in the recovery room). Nausea SMD -1.10 at 2 h; -1.54 at 6 h; -2.04 at 12 h (2 h -1.95 to -0.25; 6 h -3.05 to -0.03; 12 h -3.67 to -0.41) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nausea score, vomiting episodes, antiemetic use Limitations: Very wide intervals; ginger products varied; the authors ask for higher-quality trials. Not tea. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020220916 Read: abstract
Lumb 1994 Effect of dried ginger on human platelet function Thromb Haemost · PMID 8165628	Controlled trial	8 healthy men	Dried ginger capsules rhizome Not shown on this page Single dose, tested at 3 h and 24 h · vs Placebo	In healthy men, dried ginger alone made no difference to bleeding time, platelet count, thromboelastography or whole-blood platelet aggregometry at 3 and 24 hours versus placebo. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Platelet function Limitations: Eight healthy men; single dose; short. Cannot speak to repeated or higher doses or to fresh ginger. Read: abstract
McEwen 2015 The influence of herbal medicine on platelet function and coagulation: a narrative review Semin Thromb Hemost · PMID 25839871 · DOI	Systematic review		Herbal medicines rhizome	Lists ginger among herbs reported to reduce platelet aggregation (in vitro studies showed promise) and says repeat platelet and coagulation testing may be needed in patients on warfarin after herbs are excluded. Ginger is not among the herbs it names as interacting with warfarin, clopidogrel or aspirin. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Narrative review, abstract only. Read: abstract
Moshfeghinia 2024 Ginger for Pain Management in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Integr Complement Med · PMID 38770631 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Women with primary dysmenorrhea; 24 studies, 12 pooled	Ginger unspecified Not shown on this page Usually the first days of the period · vs Placebo; NSAIDs; exercise	12 trials pooled. Ginger gave less pain intensity (SMD -1.13, 95% CI -1.59 to -0.68) and a shorter pain duration (SMD -0.29, 95% CI -0.46 to -0.12) than placebo. No difference from anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) or exercise for pain intensity. Intensity SMD -1.13; duration SMD -0.29; vs NSAIDs SMD 0.01 (Intensity -1.59 to -0.68 (I2 81.05%); duration -0.46 to -0.12; vs NSAIDs -0.24 to 0.25) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain intensity and duration Limitations: High inconsistency between trials; risk of bias in many; safety data infrequently reported. Mostly powders and capsules during the first days of the period, not tea. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023418001 Read: abstract
Mustafa 2024 First report of aflatoxin and ochratoxin contamination in ginger collected from different agroclimatic zones from Punjab, Pakistan Toxicon · PMID 39433257 · DOI	Other in-vitro	ginger samples	Raw and dried ginger rhizome rhizome	All raw and commercial powder ginger samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (29.88-1060.12 ug/kg), many above the authors' stated permissible limits; ochratoxin A 0.05-3.42 ug/kg; lower-altitude samples more contaminated. Authors advise cooler storage. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: One region (Punjab, Pakistan); 'permissible limit' not specified in the abstract; says nothing about ginger sold elsewhere. Read: abstract
NCBI PubChem 2026 PubChem compound records: 6-gingerol (CID 442793), 6-shogaol (CID 5281794), zingerone (CID 31211) API / web page · Source	Database record n/a	n/a	n/a	Names and formulas confirmed by the PubChem API on 2026-10-25: 6-gingerol C17H26O4, shogaol C17H24O3, zingerone C11H14O3. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: Identity check only; says nothing about activity. Read: full-text
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH) 2025 Ginger (NCCIH Herbs at a Glance) NCCIH web page (last updated February 2025) · Source	Authoritative guidance		Ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome	Page text read. Says ginger has been taken safely by mouth as a dietary supplement in many research studies. Oral side effects named: abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, mouth or throat irritation. Says ginger supplements in pregnancy 'may be safe' and to consult a provider; little is known about safety while breastfeeding; tells people on medicines to talk to a provider because herbs and medicines can interact. The page did not mention blood thinners, gallstones or doses. Read again on 2026-10-25 for this page (last updated February 2025). It also says much of the knee-osteoarthritis research was poor quality. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Consumer fact sheet; no numbers or frequencies. Silent on bleeding, gallstones and dosing. Read: full-text
Rjabi 2025 Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger supplementation in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Inflammopharmacology · PMID 41123858 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Adults in 29 RCTs, many with underlying health conditions	Ginger supplements unspecified Not shown on this page Various · vs Placebo or control	29 randomised trials. Ginger supplements lowered CRP (-0.86 mg/L, 95% CI -1.10 to -0.62), TNF-alpha, IL-6 and malondialdehyde, and raised total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase. The authors say to interpret cautiously because of high heterogeneity. CRP WMD -0.86 mg/L; TNF-alpha -1.90 pg/mL; IL-6 -1.15 pg/mL; TAC +0.22 mmol/L; MDA -0.76 umol/L; SOD +48.12 U/L (CRP -1.10 to -0.62; TNF-alpha -2.61 to -1.18; IL-6 -1.90 to -0.41; TAC 0.06 to 0.38; MDA -1.19 to -0.33; SOD 30.57 to 65.58) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase Limitations: High inconsistency; the abstract does not give a GRADE rating for each outcome. These are blood markers, not symptoms. Supplements, not tea. Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251011148 Read: abstract
Schumacher 2024 The effect of oral supplementation of ginger on glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN · PMID 39053695 · DOI	Meta-analysis	Adults with type 2 diabetes; 5 studies	Ginger powder capsules twice daily rhizome powder Not shown on this page 4 to 12 weeks · vs Placebo or control	Five studies in type 2 diabetes. The pooled analysis found no significant effect on fasting blood glucose or HbA1c, although two single studies showed a drop in fasting glucose. Not significant when pooled Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c Limitations: Five studies only. Disagrees with the larger 2022 pooled analysis, so the blood sugar finding is not settled. Capsules of powder. Read: abstract
Talasaz 2025 Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between food or herbal products and oral anticoagulants: evidence review, practical recommendations, and knowledge gaps Semin Thromb Hemost · PMID 39288907 · DOI	Systematic review		Food and herbal products with oral anticoagulants rhizome	Authors say RCT evidence is slim and conclusions limited; their summary states that ginger, even in small quantities, and mango (more than one fruit) can potentiate warfarin effects. The abstract does not say which studies this rests on. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Abstract only read; the authors themselves note small studies, conflicting results and variable herbal product content. Read: abstract
Tan 2021 Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review Br J Clin Pharmacol · PMID 32478963 · DOI	Systematic review	149 warfarin users	Foods, herbs and supplements with warfarin rhizome	149 articles covering 78 foods, herbs or supplements; the conclusion names ginger among items that clinicians should know raise bleeding risk with warfarin, alongside ginkgo, green tea, St John's wort and others. Details specific to ginger were not in the abstract. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Abstract only read; reports are mostly case reports and small studies of mixed quality. Read: abstract
Tiani 2024 The use of ginger bioactive compounds in pregnancy: an evidence scan and umbrella review of existing meta-analyses Adv Nutr · PMID 39343171 · DOI	Umbrella review	Seven meta-analyses of ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (22 independent studies)	Dietary ginger preparations (mixed) rhizome Varied · vs Placebo or conventional medicines	Most of the seven meta-analyses found significantly less nausea than placebo, or results equal to usual treatment, and no evidence of significant side effects. The quality of the meta-analyses ranged from critically low to low. Direction reported; the authors call the studies heterogeneous and of low quality Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy; maternal and newborn outcomes Limitations: Dietary preparations were pooled, so it does not say what a cup of tea does. Quality of the pooled reviews is low. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Vaes 2000 Interactions of warfarin with garlic, ginger, ginkgo, or ginseng: nature of the evidence Ann Pharmacother · PMID 11144706 · DOI	Systematic review		Ginger (and garlic, ginkgo, ginseng) rhizome	Searches to 1999 concluded evidence is lacking for an interaction of warfarin with garlic or ginger; true risks hard to characterise because of limited reports. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Dated (searches to 1999); before the 2004 phenprocoumon case. Read: abstract
Viljoen 2014 A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutr J · PMID 24642205 · DOI	Meta-analysis	1278 Pregnant women with nausea and vomiting, 12 RCTs	oral ginger (preparations varied between trials) rhizome (unspecified) Not shown on this page Varied · vs Placebo or vitamin B6	Nausea improved versus placebo (mean difference 1.20, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.84); vomiting episodes did not significantly change (p = 0.06). No significant extra risk of spontaneous abortion (RR 3.14, 95% CI 0.65 to 15.11, a very imprecise estimate), heartburn or drowsiness. Nausea MD 1.20; vomiting MD 0.72 (not significant) (Nausea 95% CI 0.56-1.84; vomiting 95% CI -0.03 to 1.46; spontaneous abortion RR 3.14, 95% CI 0.65-15.11) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nausea symptoms, vomiting episodes, miscarriage, heartburn, drowsiness Limitations: Authors call the evidence low quality: few studies, variable outcome reporting. The wide interval on miscarriage means a risk cannot be ruled out. The trials used ginger capsules, powders or extracts, not tea. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42011001237 Read: abstract
Walstab 2013 Ginger and its pungent constituents non-competitively inhibit activation of human recombinant and native 5-HT3 receptors of enteric neurons Neurogastroenterol Motil · PMID 23490018 · DOI	In vitro + ex vivo human tissue in-vitro	HEK293 cells with human 5-HT3A or 5-HT3AB receptors; human submucous plexus preparations	Ginger extracts, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol rhizome Not shown on this page acute · vs serotonin / 2-methyl-5-HT	Concentration-dependent, non-competitive inhibition of both receptors; ginger extract did not displace the radioligand; 6-gingerol blocked 5-HT3 responses in human enteric neurons without general neurotoxicity. see results Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Calcium influx; binding Limitations: Test-tube and tissue work; blood levels in people are lower than the micromolar range tested. Read: abstract
Wazqar 2021 A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Effect of Ginger Tea on Preventing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Gynecological Cancers Receiving Cisplatin-Based Regimens. Cancer Nurs · PMID 33867429 · DOI	Quasi experimental (not randomised)	100 Women with gynecological cancers on cisplatin-based chemotherapy	Ginger tea added to standard anti-sickness medicine rhizome (tea) Not shown on this page Over the chemotherapy cycle (measured at five time points) · vs Standard anti-sickness medicine alone (50 vs 50)	Total scores were lower in the ginger tea group at every measurement. The differences between groups were statistically significant at the third (P < .05), fourth (P < .01) and fifth (P < .05) measurements. No ginger-related side effects were noted. Lower nausea, vomiting and retching scores with tea at later time points Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nausea, vomiting and retching on the Modified Rhodes Index Limitations: Not randomised and not blinded (people knew they were drinking ginger tea). The abstract does not say how the tea was made or how much ginger it held, and gives no exact scores. It is the only trial of tea itself that we found. Funding and conflicts: The authors report no funding or conflicts of interest. Read: abstract
Young 2006 Synergistic effect of ginger and nifedipine on human platelet aggregation: a study in hypertensive patients and normal volunteers Am J Chin Med · PMID 16883626 · DOI	Clinical lab	volunteers and hypertensive patients	Ginger with nifedipine rhizome Not shown on this page · vs Nifedipine alone	Ginger or aspirin each added to the platelet-lowering effect of the blood-pressure drug nifedipine in volunteers and hypertensive patients, in a laboratory platelet-aggregation test. The authors suggest the combination might be of value for heart disease; it is not a bleeding measure. Methods, limits and funding Limitations: Abstract gives no numbers or sample size; surrogate platelet test only; no bleeding outcome. Read: abstract
Zhu 2021 Efficacy of Ginger in Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Nurs Scholarsh · PMID 34312974 · DOI	Meta-analysis	1417 Surgical patients; 14 RCTs	oral ginger (preparations varied between trials) unspecified Not shown on this page Varied · vs Placebo; prophylactic antiemetics	14 trials, 1,417 people. Versus placebo, ginger gave lower nausea severity (mean difference -0.71, 95% CI -1.37 to -0.06) and less rescue anti-sickness medicine (risk ratio 0.71). Vomiting incidence did not differ significantly. Versus a standard anti-sickness drug, nausea incidence was a little lower with ginger (risk ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.99). Nausea severity MD -0.71; nausea incidence beyond 6 h RR 0.68; vomiting RR 0.78 (not significant) (Severity -1.37 to -0.06; incidence 0.55-0.85; vomiting 0.42-1.44) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Nausea severity, nausea and vomiting incidence, rescue antiemetic use Limitations: Ginger products varied. The authors say more trials against standard anti-sickness drugs are needed before ginger could replace them. Read: abstract

What we do not know yet

No study tested ginger tea in people taking warfarin, other blood thinners or around surgery.
The amount of active ginger compounds in a cup of tea has not been measured in the sources we read.
Only one study of ginger tea itself was found (100 women on chemotherapy, not randomised, not blinded). No trial of tea in pregnancy, after surgery or for motion sickness was found.
The amount of ginger in a cup of tea is not fixed, so results from capsules and powders cannot be assumed to carry over.
No study of ginger tea in people who take blood thinners.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Metabolic 1

↕

Fasting blood glucose

Mixed results in trials

Blood sugar after a night without food.

Mixed findings

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A basic measure of blood sugar control.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

The two reviews disagree.

Safety implication

Could add to diabetes medicine effects.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹³	Weighted mean difference -18.81 (95% CI -28.70 to -8.92)	People with type 2 diabetes	Ginger supplements
³³	No significant pooled effect	People with type 2 diabetes	Ginger capsules

^{13 33}

Inflammatory 1

▼

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Lowered in trials

A blood protein made by the liver when there is inflammation. Higher means more inflammation.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A cheap general inflammation test.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant on average; a fall under 1 mg/L is small and its clinical meaning is not shown.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
³²	WMD -0.86 mg/L (95% CI -1.10 to -0.62) across 29 trials	Adults, many with long-term conditions	Ginger supplements

³²

Other 5

▼

Nausea score

Lowered in trials

A rating, usually 0 to 10 or a short questionnaire, of how sick a person feels.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

It is the main thing people want relieved.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Lower on average in several reviews. Trials are small and differ; only one tea study.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁸	Mean difference 1.20 lower nausea versus placebo (95% CI 0.56 to 1.84), 12 trials	Pregnant women	Oral ginger (capsules, powder, extracts)
²⁵	Lower nausea scores at 2, 6 and 12 hours after surgery	14 trials, 1,506 patients	Ginger (mixed forms)
⁴⁰	Lower total nausea, vomiting and retching scores with tea; significant at three of five time points	100 women on chemotherapy	Ginger tea

^{38 25 40}

●

Number of vomiting episodes

No-consistent-change in trials

How many times a person is sick (vomits).

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Vomiting can cause dehydration and weight loss.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Across three settings, vomiting is not clearly reduced even when nausea is.

Safety implication

If you cannot keep fluids down, see a doctor.

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁸	No significant change versus placebo (p = 0.06)	Pregnant women	Oral ginger
²⁵	No significant difference after surgery except in the recovery room	Surgical patients	Ginger
⁷	No significant difference overall; less acute vomiting in one subgroup	Chemotherapy patients	Ginger supplements

^{38 25 7}

▼

Extra anti-sickness medicine used

Lowered in trials

How many people needed an additional anti-sickness drug.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A practical sign of whether symptoms were controlled.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

The two reviews disagree on this outcome.

Safety implication

None.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴²	Risk ratio 0.71 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.82) versus placebo	14 trials, 1,417 patients after surgery	Ginger (mixed)
²⁵	No significant difference in anti-sickness drug use	14 trials, 1,506 patients	Ginger (mixed)

^{42 25}

●

Nausea-related quality of life

Improved in trials

A questionnaire on how nausea affects daily life.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Shows whether the person feels better in real life, not just on a score.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One placebo-controlled trial; the authors called the improvement clinically relevant.

Safety implication

None.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁰	Improved with ginger capsules versus placebo (P = 0.003)	103 adults on chemotherapy	Standardised ginger capsules

¹⁰

▼

Pain score

Lowered in trials

A rating of how much something hurts, usually 0 to 10 or 0 to 100.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Pain relief is the main goal for joint and period pain.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant in most reviews, with small to moderate size; quality limited.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	SMD -0.30 (95% CI -0.50 to -0.09) in knee osteoarthritis	593 people	Oral ginger
²⁸	SMD -1.13 (95% CI -1.59 to -0.68) in period pain	12 pooled trials	Ginger
¹	7.88 mm lower on a 100 mm scale with capsules, but authors say evidence is insufficient	Knee osteoarthritis	Ginger capsules

^{4 28 1}

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 7

Ginger tea is a mild drink for most people, but it is not risk free. Ginger taken by mouth has been used safely in many studies, according to NCCIH (the US government's complementary-health centre). The common problems are mild: stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea, mouth or throat irritation. These sources mostly describe capsules and powders. How much ginger is in a cup of tea changes a lot from cup to cup, so tea is a milder and less measured exposure, not a proven-safe one. Authoritative guidance ^{31 15 2}
Blood thinners: the evidence is mixed, so be careful with strong or frequent ginger. In lab tests ginger can make platelets less sticky. In a trial of healthy men, dried ginger changed no platelet or bleeding measure, and in another small trial it did not change warfarin levels or the INR. Against that, one case report describes a 76-year-old woman on a warfarin-type drug (phenprocoumon) whose INR rose to 10 with a nosebleed some weeks after starting ginger products. NIH's LactMed says ginger can increase bleeding risk with warfarin, and two reviews list ginger among foods and herbs that may do so. No trial has tested ginger in people who take blood thinners or are having surgery. If you take warfarin or another blood thinner, tell your prescriber how much ginger tea you drink. Case report ^{26 20 21 12 35 34 27}
Diabetes and blood-pressure medicine: possible added effect, not yet studied as an interaction. Some pooled trials of ginger supplements found lower blood sugar and blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes, though a newer review found no significant pooled effect on blood sugar. Nobody has tested ginger together with diabetes or blood-pressure medicines as an interaction, so the risk is theoretical. If you take these medicines and drink a lot of ginger tea, watch your readings and tell your pharmacist. Pharmacological theory ^{13 33}
Pregnancy: used for nausea in trials, but the EU monograph advises avoiding ginger medicines. Meta-analyses of trials in pregnant women found less nausea with ginger capsules and powders. In 12 trials (1,278 women) there was no significant excess of miscarriage, heartburn or drowsiness, but the miscarriage estimate was very imprecise (risk ratio 3.14, 95% CI 0.65 to 15.11), so a risk cannot be ruled out. The EU monograph says a moderate amount of data shows no malformation or foetal toxicity, yet advises avoiding ginger medicines in pregnancy as a precaution, partly because pregnant rodents given ginger powder or water extracts had more embryo losses. NCCIH says supplements 'may be safe' and to ask your provider. No pregnancy trial of ginger tea was found. Ask your midwife or doctor before relying on it. Meta-analysis ^{38 19 36 15 31}
Heartburn and reflux. The EU monograph lists heartburn, indigestion and belching as common (1 in 100 to under 1 in 10 people). In an 8-week open-label study of 47 people with indigestion, heartburn (12.8%), bloating (14.9%) and diarrhea (10.6%) were mild and short-lived. If you already have reflux, strong ginger may make heartburn worse in some people. We found no trial designed for people with reflux. Authoritative guidance ^{15 31 2}
Surgery and gallstones: precautions without measured risk. Because of the platelet effect, surgeons are often told about ginger supplements; we found no trial of ginger and surgical bleeding, so this is a precaution. For gallstones, the only study was in 19 healthy young men and found no change in gallbladder emptying; it says nothing about people who have gallstones. Ask your doctor if you have gallstones or bile-duct disease. Pharmacological theory ^{27 8}
Caffeine and blends. Ginger root is not a source of caffeine, which is general background rather than something tested in the studies here. Tea bags sold as ginger tea may add black or green tea leaves, which do contain caffeine, or other herbs, so check the ingredients on the label. Authoritative guidance

Side effects 6

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Heartburn The pregnancy meta-analysis found no significant excess heartburn versus placebo. The open-label study had no comparison group.	EU monograph: common (1 in 100 to under 1 in 10). Open-label study: 12.8% of 47 people.	mild Reversible	Authoritative guidance ^{15 31 2 38}
Stomach upset, indigestion, belching, nausea LactMed also lists abdominal discomfort as occasional.	EU monograph: common (1 in 100 to under 1 in 10)	mild Reversible	Authoritative guidance ^{15 12}
Bloating and diarrhea No placebo group; people had indigestion at the start.	Bloating 14.9% and diarrhea 10.6% (47 people with indigestion, open-label)	mild Reversible	Non randomised trial ^{2 31}
Mouth or throat irritation, bad taste, dry mouth No percentages in the sources we read.	Not established	mild Reversible	Authoritative guidance ^{31 12}
Allergic reaction Allergy to ginger is the one contraindication in the EU monograph.	Frequency not known (EU monograph)	variable Usually reversible on stopping	Authoritative guidance ¹⁵
Raised INR and nosebleed in a warfarin-type drug user One case report; no rate.	Not established	potentially serious INR returned to normal after ginger was stopped and vitamin K1 was given	Case report ²¹

Liver

NIH's LiverTox says ginger is generally recognized as safe and has not been linked to blood liver-enzyme rises or to clinically apparent liver injury. We read only the opening statement of the LiverTox entry. We found no case reports of liver injury from ginger. Lab and animal work showing ginger protects the liver is not evidence of safety or benefit in people. ²⁴

How often. No cases found, so no rate can be given.

Monitoring. No guideline suggests routine liver tests for ginger users.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Ginger Tea supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 6

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Warfarin and similar blood thinners (vitamin K blockers) prescription	Ginger reduced platelet stickiness in lab tests; not shown to change warfarin levels in healthy men. One patient on phenprocoumon had an INR up to 10 with a nosebleed some weeks after starting ginger products.	Evidence conflicts: one negative healthy-volunteer study, one case report, and reviews that list ginger among bleeding-risk items. A real effect in some people cannot be excluded.	Case report Very low certainty ^{20 21 37 35 34 12}	If you take warfarin, keep your ginger intake steady and tell your clinic; ask for an INR check after any change.
Aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs prescription	Ginger and aspirin each added to nifedipine's platelet-lowering effect in a lab test; dried ginger alone changed no platelet measure in healthy men.	Platelet tests only; no bleeding outcome. Added bleeding risk is plausible but not shown.	Controlled trial Not enough evidence ^{41 26 27}	Tell your prescriber if you drink a lot of ginger tea or use ginger supplements with antiplatelet drugs.
Surgery and anaesthesia other	Theoretical bleeding concern from the platelet effects above; no surgical-bleeding trial was found.	Unknown. The sources we read give no stopping time.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence ²⁷	Tell your surgeon and anaesthetist about regular ginger use and ask whether to pause it.
Diabetes medicines and blood-pressure medicines prescription	Pooled trials of ginger supplements found lower blood sugar and blood pressure; a newer review found no pooled blood-sugar effect. It has not been tested as an interaction.	Not studied as an interaction.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence ^{13 33}	If you take these medicines, watch readings if you suddenly drink much more ginger tea.
Cyclosporine and tacrolimus (transplant medicines) prescription	In rats, ginger juice lowered oral cyclosporine absorption and raised tacrolimus levels; no human trial.	Animal data only.	Animal research Very low certainty ^{6 14}	Transplant patients should ask their transplant team before regular ginger products.
EU monograph overall regulatory	The EU herbal monograph (2025) states no interactions are known for ginger root at medicinal amounts; it does not discuss bleeding.	Absence of reports is not proof of safety.	Authoritative guidance Low certainty ¹⁵	Still mention regular ginger use to your pharmacist.

Who should check first 10

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Allergy to ginger	Do not use. This is the only contraindication in the EU monograph.	Authoritative guidance ¹⁵
Taking warfarin or other blood thinners	Not an official contraindication in the sources read, but reviews and a case report warn of bleeding risk. Ask your prescriber and keep your intake steady.	Case report ^{21 35 34 20}
Bleeding disorder or surgery planned	Precaution only: no bleeding trials found. Tell the surgical team.	Pharmacological theory ²⁷
Taking diabetes or blood-pressure medicines	Possible added lowering; not tested as an interaction. Tell your pharmacist.	Pharmacological theory ¹³
Pregnancy	EU monograph: preferable to avoid medicinal use. Trials for nausea used capsules and powders and found no clear harm, but the miscarriage estimate is very imprecise. Decide with your midwife or doctor.	Authoritative guidance ^{15 38 31}
Breastfeeding	EU monograph does not recommend medicinal use; LactMed says food amounts are generally regarded as safe, with very limited data.	Authoritative guidance ^{15 12}
Children and teenagers under 18	EU monograph does not recommend the medicinal uses under 18 because data are insufficient.	Authoritative guidance ¹⁵
Gallstones or bile-duct disease	No evidence either way; ask your doctor.	Pharmacological theory ⁸
Reflux or frequent heartburn	Heartburn is a listed common effect; stop and see a doctor if symptoms worsen.	Authoritative guidance ^{15 2}
Organ transplant on cyclosporine or tacrolimus	Ask the transplant team; animal studies suggest altered drug levels.	Animal research ^{6 14}

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. The EU monograph says repeat-dose studies up to 12 months with ethanolic ginger extracts found toxic effects only at doses higher than people normally take, and no overdose has been reported. Reproductive, genotoxicity and cancer tests were judged inadequate.

Animal. Per the EU monograph: pregnant rodents given ginger powder or water extracts showed more embryo resorption at doses from slightly above to a few times higher than human medicine doses; another rat study with an ethanolic extract found no adverse effects.

Human doses studied. Trials used capsules or powders. No amounts are given on this page. No human trial longer than about 3 months was found.

High dose or long term signals. Heartburn and stomach effects are the signal at supplement amounts.

Overdose response. No case of overdose reported (EU monograph). If you feel very unwell after taking a lot of ginger, call a doctor or poison control.

Genotoxicity. Adequate genotoxicity tests have not been done, per the EU monograph.

Toxic or hazardous parts. Only the root (rhizome) is used. No source describing toxic leaves or stems was found; unknown, not assumed safe.

Documented problems are mould toxins in raw and powdered ginger from one region, and a historical deliberate poisoning of an alcohol-based 'Jamaica ginger' extract. We did not find a modern survey of heavy metals or pesticides in ginger tea products that we could verify.

Aflatoxin and ochratoxin. All raw ginger and commercial powder samples from Punjab, Pakistan carried aflatoxin B1 (29.88 to 1060.12 ug/kg), many above the authors' permissible limits; ochratoxin A ranged 0.05 to 3.42 ug/kg. This is one region; it does not show what is sold elsewhere. The authors advise cooler storage. ²⁹

Content varies between products. LactMed notes supplements may differ from their labels. Tea bags and loose ginger are not standardised, so the amount of ginger in a cup varies. ¹²

Body	Action	Date
NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) (United States)	Ginger has been used safely by mouth in many studies; side effects are abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, mouth and throat irritation. Supplements in pregnancy 'may be safe'; talk to a provider. Little is known about breastfeeding. Supplements are not approved by the FDA before sale. The page does not mention blood thinners or gallstones. source	Last updated February 2025
NIH LiverTox (United States)	Ginger generally recognized as safe; not linked to liver-enzyme rises or clinically apparent liver injury. source	Entry dated 2024-02-10
NIH LactMed (United States)	Very limited data in nursing mothers; generally recognized as safe as a food flavouring; mild occasional side effects; says ginger can increase bleeding risk with warfarin. source	Record dated 2026-10-15

When to get medical help

Swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, or widespread hives after ginger: get emergency help.
If you take a blood thinner: unusual bruising, nosebleeds that will not stop, blood in urine or stool, black stools, or a very high INR: contact your clinic the same day.
Vomiting blood or black tarry stools: emergency care.
Severe or lasting heartburn or stomach pain after starting ginger: stop and see a doctor.
Pregnant with bleeding or cramps, or vomiting so much you cannot keep fluids down: call your midwife or doctor; do not rely on ginger.
Chemotherapy: if you cannot keep drinks down, tell your cancer team the same day.

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does ginger tea help with nausea?

It may, but the proof is for capsules and powders, not tea. Pooled trials of those find less nausea in early pregnancy and in the first hours after surgery. The one study of ginger tea itself (100 women on chemotherapy) found lower nausea scores, but it was small and not blinded, and a review rated the certainty very low. See a doctor for severe or lasting nausea.

^{38 25 40 17}

Is ginger tea safe in pregnancy?

Not settled. Trials of ginger capsules and powders for pregnancy nausea found less nausea and no clear harm, but the miscarriage estimate was very imprecise (risk ratio 3.14, 95% CI 0.65 to 15.11). The EU monograph advises avoiding ginger medicines in pregnancy as a precaution; NCCIH says supplements may be safe. No pregnancy study of ginger tea was found. Ask your midwife or doctor.

^{38 36 15 31}

Does ginger tea help with chemotherapy nausea?

Unclear. One small study that was not randomised found lower scores when ginger tea was added to usual medicine, with very low certainty. For capsules, reviews disagree: one found fewer people with severe nausea, another found no overall difference. Tell your cancer team before adding ginger.

^{40 17 23 7 10}

Is ginger tea as good as ginger capsules?

We cannot say. Almost all trials used capsules or powder with a measured amount of ginger. A cup of tea has an unmeasured amount, so capsule results do not simply apply to it. NCCIH notes that most nausea studies tested supplements, not foods or tea.

^{40 31 9}

Does ginger tea have caffeine?

Ginger root itself is not a source of caffeine, though that is general background and not something these studies measured. Tea bags sold as ginger tea may add black or green tea leaves, which do have caffeine, so check the ingredient list.

Is ginger tea safe with blood thinners like warfarin?

Be careful. The evidence is mixed: two small trials in healthy men found no effect on platelets or warfarin, but one case report describes an INR up to 10 with a nosebleed after ginger products, and LactMed says ginger can increase bleeding risk with warfarin. Tell your prescriber how much ginger tea you drink and keep your intake steady.

^{26 20 21 12}

Can ginger tea affect diabetes or blood-pressure medicine?

It might add to their effect, but this has not been tested as an interaction. Some pooled trials of supplements found lower blood sugar and blood pressure; a newer review found no pooled effect on blood sugar. If you take these medicines, tell your pharmacist and watch your readings.

^{13 33}

Is ginger tea safe with gallstones?

We do not know. The only study, in 19 healthy young men, found no change in gallbladder emptying, and it says nothing about people who have gallstones. Ask your doctor.

⁸

Can ginger tea cause heartburn?

It can in some people. The EU monograph lists heartburn, indigestion and belching as common effects of ginger medicines, and an 8-week open-label study of 47 people with indigestion found heartburn in 12.8%. If you have reflux and symptoms get worse, stop and see a doctor.

^{15 2}

Should I stop ginger tea before surgery?

Tell your surgeon and anaesthetist how much you drink. The concern is a theoretical bleeding effect; no trial of ginger and surgical bleeding was found. A review of ginger after surgery found lower nausea in the first hours.

^{27 25}

Does ginger tea help with period pain or arthritis?

The research is on capsules and powders. Two reviews found less period pain than placebo, with high variation. For knee osteoarthritis, one review found small pain relief and a later one judged the evidence insufficient. No tea trials were found.

^{28 11 4 1}

Can children or breastfeeding mothers drink ginger tea?

Data are limited. The EU monograph does not recommend medicinal ginger under 18 or during breastfeeding. LactMed says ginger is generally recognized as safe as a food flavouring, including during breastfeeding, with very limited data. Ask a doctor.

^{15 12}

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We read the abstracts of 36 PubMed papers, plus the NCCIH, LiverTox and LactMed entries, checked the plant name in GBIF and compounds in PubChem. The EU monograph was read earlier for the ginger herb page and was not re-opened here. We could not read the German Commission E or WHO monographs.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.

Sources 42

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

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Aregawi LG, Zoltan C. Evaluation of adverse effects and tolerability of dietary ginger supplementation in patients with functional dyspepsia. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2025. PMID 40474983. DOI 10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100792. (abstract)
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Bartels EM, Folmer VN, Bliddal H, et al.. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015. PMID 25300574. DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2014.09.024. (abstract)
Black CD, Herring MP, Hurley DJ, et al.. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise.. J Pain. 2010. PMID 20418184. DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.12.013. (abstract)
Chiang HM, Chao PD, Hsiu SL, et al.. Ginger significantly decreased the oral bioavailability of cyclosporine in rats. Am J Chin Med. 2006. PMID 17080549. DOI 10.1142/S0192415X06004338. (abstract)
Choi J, Lee J, Kim K, et al.. Effects of Ginger Intake on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.. Nutrients. 2022. PMID 36501010. DOI 10.3390/nu14234982. (abstract)
Chuah SK, Wu KL, Tai WC, et al.. The effects of ginger on gallbladder motility in healthy male humans. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011. PMID 22148111. DOI 10.5056/jnm.2011.17.4.411. (abstract)
Crichton M, Davidson AR, Innerarity C, et al.. Orally consumed ginger and human health: an umbrella review.. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022. PMID 35147170. DOI 10.1093/ajcn/nqac035. (abstract)
Crichton M, Marshall S, Isenring E, et al.. Effect of a Standardized Ginger Root Powder Regimen on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial.. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2024. PMID 37699474. DOI 10.1016/j.jand.2023.09.003. (abstract)
Daily JW, Zhang X, Kim DS, et al.. Efficacy of Ginger for Alleviating the Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.. Pain Med. 2015. PMID 26177393. DOI 10.1111/pme.12853. (abstract)
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), NICHD. Ginger (LactMed). LactMed (record dated 2026 Oct 15). 2026. PMID 30000845. (summary-only)
Ebrahimzadeh A, Ebrahimzadeh A, Mirghazanfari SM, et al.. The effect of ginger supplementation on metabolic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Complement Ther Med. 2022. PMID 35031435. DOI 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102802. (abstract)
Egashira K, Sasaki H, Higuchi S, et al.. Food-drug interaction of tacrolimus with pomelo, ginger, and turmeric juice in rats. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2012. PMID 22123127. DOI 10.2133/dmpk.dmpk-11-rg-105. (abstract)
European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). EU herbal monograph on Zingiber officinale Roscoe, rhizoma, Final Revision 1 (EMA/HMPC/885789/2022). EMA monograph, adopted 7 May 2025. 2025. (summary-only)
GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Zingiber officinale Roscoe (usageKey 2757280). API / web page. 2026. (full-text)
Gala D, Wright HH, Zigori B, Marshall S, Crichton M. Dietary strategies for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic review.. Clin Nutr. 2022. PMID 36067586. DOI 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.08.003. (abstract)
Hu ML, Rayner CK, Wu KL, et al.. Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia.. World J Gastroenterol. 2011. PMID 21218090. DOI 10.3748/wjg.v17.i1.105. (abstract)
Hu Y, Amoah AN, Zhang H, et al.. Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysis.. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022. PMID 31937153. DOI 10.1080/14767058.2020.1712714. (abstract)
Jiang X, Williams KM, Liauw WS, et al.. Effect of ginkgo and ginger on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2005. PMID 15801937. DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02322.x. (abstract)
Krüth P, Brosi E, Fux R, et al.. Ginger-associated overanticoagulation by phenprocoumon. Ann Pharmacother. 2004. PMID 14742762. DOI 10.1345/aph.1D225. (abstract)
Lien HC, Sun WM, Chen YH, et al.. Effects of ginger on motion sickness and gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by circular vection.. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2003. PMID 12576305. DOI 10.1152/ajpgi.00164.2002. (abstract)
Lin CY, Huang SH, Tam KW, et al.. Efficacy and Safety of Ginger on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. Cancer Nurs. 2025. PMID 38625733. DOI 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001355. (abstract)
LiverTox, NIDDK. Ginger (LiverTox). LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (entry dated 2024 Feb 10). 2024. PMID 38381909. (summary-only)
Lu C, Chen X, Yan X, et al.. The preventive and relieving effects of ginger on postoperative nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Int J Nurs Stud. 2022. PMID 34700257. DOI 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104094. (abstract)
Lumb AB. Effect of dried ginger on human platelet function. Thromb Haemost. 1994. PMID 8165628. (abstract)
McEwen BJ. The influence of herbal medicine on platelet function and coagulation: a narrative review. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2015. PMID 25839871. DOI 10.1055/s-0035-1549089. (abstract)
Moshfeghinia R, Salmanpour N, Ghoshouni H, et al.. Ginger for Pain Management in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. J Integr Complement Med. 2024. PMID 38770631. DOI 10.1089/jicm.2023.0799. (abstract)
Mustafa G, Arif MAR, Bakhsh M, et al.. First report of aflatoxin and ochratoxin contamination in ginger collected from different agroclimatic zones from Punjab, Pakistan. Toxicon. 2024. PMID 39433257. DOI 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108138. (abstract)
NCBI PubChem. PubChem compound records: 6-gingerol (CID 442793), 6-shogaol (CID 5281794), zingerone (CID 31211). API / web page. 2026. (full-text)
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Ginger (NCCIH Herbs at a Glance). NCCIH web page (last updated February 2025). 2025. (full-text)
Rjabi S, Barbarz H, Makhtoomi M, et al.. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger supplementation in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.. Inflammopharmacology. 2025. PMID 41123858. DOI 10.1007/s10787-025-01994-6. (abstract)
Schumacher JC, Mueller V, Sousa C, et al.. The effect of oral supplementation of ginger on glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024. PMID 39053695. DOI 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.07.011. (abstract)
Talasaz AH, McGonagle B, HajiQasemi M, et al.. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between food or herbal products and oral anticoagulants: evidence review, practical recommendations, and knowledge gaps. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2025. PMID 39288907. DOI 10.1055/s-0044-1790258. (abstract)
Tan CSS, Lee SWH. Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2021. PMID 32478963. DOI 10.1111/bcp.14404. (abstract)
Tiani KA, Arenaz CM, Spill MK, et al.. The use of ginger bioactive compounds in pregnancy: an evidence scan and umbrella review of existing meta-analyses. Adv Nutr. 2024. PMID 39343171. DOI 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100308. (abstract)
Vaes LP, Chyka PA. Interactions of warfarin with garlic, ginger, ginkgo, or ginseng: nature of the evidence. Ann Pharmacother. 2000. PMID 11144706. DOI 10.1345/aph.10031. (abstract)
Viljoen E, Visser J, Koen N, et al.. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting.. Nutr J. 2014. PMID 24642205. DOI 10.1186/1475-2891-13-20. (abstract)
Walstab J, Krüger D, Stark T et al.. Ginger and its pungent constituents non-competitively inhibit activation of human recombinant and native 5-HT3 receptors of enteric neurons. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013. PMID 23490018. DOI 10.1111/nmo.12107. (abstract)
Wazqar DY, Thabet HA, Safwat AM. A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Effect of Ginger Tea on Preventing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Gynecological Cancers Receiving Cisplatin-Based Regimens.. Cancer Nurs. 2021. PMID 33867429. DOI 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000939. (abstract)
Young HY, Liao JC, Chang YS, et al.. Synergistic effect of ginger and nifedipine on human platelet aggregation: a study in hypertensive patients and normal volunteers. Am J Chin Med. 2006. PMID 16883626. DOI 10.1142/S0192415X06004089. (abstract)
Zhu W, Dai Y, Huang M, et al.. Efficacy of Ginger in Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2021. PMID 34312974. DOI 10.1111/jnu.12691. (abstract)

Where to buy

Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:

The herb is the first or only ingredient
Organic or lab-tested if that matters to you
Loose leaf or tea bags, and how long they have been stored
If you take medicines or are pregnant, ask a pharmacist about the herb first

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.

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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.