Ginger for Nausea: Benefits, How to Use It and Side Effects

Quick answer

Ginger can reduce mild to moderate nausea for many people, and the best evidence is for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists ginger as a reasonable non-drug option for morning sickness. Results for nausea after surgery, during chemotherapy and for motion sickness are mixed: it may help some people a little, but it is not a reliable replacement for anti-sickness medicines.

Ginger is generally safe in food amounts and modest supplement doses. Higher doses can cause heartburn, and people on blood thinners should check with a pharmacist first.

How ginger might work

Ginger root contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols. They appear to act on the digestive tract and on nerve signals involved in nausea, including blocking some serotonin receptors (the same target as some anti-sickness medicines, though much more weakly) and helping the stomach empty more steadily.

What the research says

Pregnancy nausea

Nausea affects most pregnant women in the first trimester. Several randomised trials and meta-analyses have found that ginger reduces nausea more than placebo, and in some trials about as much as vitamin B6. A Cochrane review of treatments for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy found the evidence for most remedies, including ginger, to be of low quality, but ginger was among the more promising options. Ginger seems to help nausea more than vomiting.

Chemotherapy

Some trials found that adding ginger to standard anti-sickness medicine reduced nausea on the day of chemotherapy; others found no benefit. Ginger should only ever be added to, never used instead of, the medicines prescribed by the cancer team, and it should be discussed with them first because of possible effects on bleeding and drug interactions.

Surgery and motion sickness

Results after surgery are inconsistent. For motion sickness, small, older studies give mixed results. Ginger is unlikely to do harm if you want to try it for travel, but standard motion-sickness medicines are more reliable for people badly affected.

How to use ginger for nausea

Studies of pregnancy nausea typically used about 1 gram of ginger a day, split into several smaller doses. As a rough guide, 1 gram of dried ginger is about half a teaspoon of ground ginger, or roughly 4 grams (a thumb-sized piece, about 2 to 3 cm) of fresh root.

Ways to take it:

• Ginger tea: slice 2 to 3 cm of fresh ginger, pour over a cup of boiling water and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Sip slowly through the day.
• Crystallised ginger or ginger biscuits: convenient, but high in sugar.
• Capsules: usually 250 mg taken up to four times a day in pregnancy studies. Choose a reputable brand.
• Ginger ale and soft drinks: most contain very little real ginger, so they are unlikely to help beyond the sugar and fluid.

Other things that help nausea alongside ginger:

1. Eat small amounts often, and do not let your stomach get completely empty.
2. Try plain, dry foods first thing in the morning, such as crackers or toast.
3. Sip fluids between meals rather than with them.
4. Avoid strong smells and greasy or spicy foods that trigger nausea.
5. Get fresh air and rest when you can.

Possible side effects and interactions

Ginger is generally well tolerated. Side effects are usually mild:

• Heartburn, indigestion or burping
• Stomach discomfort or diarrhoea, especially at higher doses
• Mouth or throat irritation from strong fresh ginger

Potential interactions:

• Blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines. Ginger may have a mild effect on blood clotting. The evidence is mixed, but people taking warfarin, apixaban, clopidogrel or similar medicines should check with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements.
• Diabetes medicines. Large amounts may lower blood sugar slightly.
• Blood pressure medicines. Ginger may lower blood pressure slightly.

Who should be careful

• Pregnancy: ginger in the doses above appears safe based on available studies, but check with your midwife or doctor before taking supplements, and avoid high doses near the time of delivery because of the theoretical bleeding risk.
• People with gallstones, since ginger may increase bile flow
• People taking blood thinners, as above
• Anyone with reflux, if ginger makes heartburn worse

When to see a doctor

Ginger is for mild nausea. Get medical help if:

• You cannot keep fluids down for 24 hours, or are vomiting repeatedly
• You have signs of dehydration: very dark urine or not passing urine for 8 hours, dizziness when standing, a dry mouth and lips
• You are pregnant and losing weight, or nausea is affecting your daily life. Severe pregnancy sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) needs treatment and is not something to manage with home remedies alone.
• There is blood or "coffee grounds" in the vomit, or black stools
• You have severe abdominal pain, a stiff neck, severe headache, chest pain or confusion with the nausea
• Nausea has lasted more than a few days without a clear cause
• A baby or young child is vomiting and not feeding, unusually sleepy, or has fewer wet nappies

Frequently asked questions

How quickly does ginger work for nausea?

Some people notice an effect within 30 to 60 minutes. In pregnancy trials, improvement was measured over several days of regular use.

Is ginger safe in pregnancy?

Studies of ginger at about 1 gram a day in early pregnancy have not shown harm to the baby, and it is included in obstetric guidance as an option. Always tell your midwife or doctor about any supplements.

Can children take ginger for nausea?

Small amounts of ginger in food or weak tea are generally fine for older children. Evidence for children is limited, so talk to a doctor before using supplements.

Is fresh ginger better than powder?

Both contain active compounds; drying changes some gingerols into shogaols. Either form can be used. Capsules make the dose more consistent.

References

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Ginger. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ginger
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 189: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2018.
• Matthews A, et al. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015.
• Viljoen E, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutrition Journal, 2014.