Ginger for Nausea Relief

Ginger, a flavorful root used in many different cuisines, has long been a popular remedy for nausea, a type of stomach upset that often results from morning sickness, motion sickness, chemotherapy, food poisoning, migraines, and the use of certain medications. It is particularly popular in traditional Asian and Arabic medicines. Many people use ginger supplements when treating nausea, although fresh, dried, and crystallized ginger may also help soothe nausea when consumed as foods or spices.

While it's not known how ginger might ease nausea, some scientists suspect that certain chemicals found in ginger may influence the nervous system, stomach, and intestines to help reduce nausea.

A ginger root under a top light
Steven Morris Photography / Getty Images 

The Science Behind Ginger and Nausea

Ginger for nausea works directly on the stomach and is thought to increase the movement of the GI tract.

A 2020 systematic review published in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that ginger had a positive effect on nausea in pregnant women—further confirming the results of previous studies.

In addition, in a 2006 report from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, investigators sized up five clinical trials (with a total of 363 patients) and concluded that taking ginger is more effective than placebo for post-surgery nausea and vomiting.

Although research findings are still mixed, some studies suggest ginger may have some benefit in further reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy treatment. In 2012, a study reported in Integrated Cancer Therapy found that ginger was effective in reducing nausea caused by chemotherapy. Ginger was administered to women being treated for advanced breast cancer; the study found that " A significantly lower prevalence of nausea was observed in the ginger group during 6 to 24 hours post chemotherapy."

A 2019 systematic review published in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found no association between ginger and chemotherapy-induced nausea. However, the researchers noted that ginger supplementation may benefit chemotherapy-induced vomiting as well as fatigue.

According to a study published in 2014, ginger supplements are of little value in protecting against motion sickness.

Uses

Ginger is available in extracts, tinctures, lozenges, supplements, and teas. It can also be purchased in crystallized form and is included as an ingredient in ginger ale and ginger beer. Most of these products are available in ordinary grocery stores, though some may be harder to find.

While ginger is generally considered safe for most people, it may cause some mild side effects (including heartburn, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort). Also, some sources say there isn't enough information about the safety of ginger in pregnant women (in theory, ginger could inhibit an enzyme called thromboxane synthetase and possibly influence sex steroid differentiation in the fetal brain). 

It's important to take caution when using ginger in combination with other medications. For instance, combining ginger supplements with blood-thinning drugs may increase the risk of bleeding.

If you're considering the use of ginger supplements in the treatment of a health problem (or during chemotherapy), make sure to consult your physician before starting your supplement regimen. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Khorasani F, Aryan H, Sobhi A, et al. A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancyJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2020;40(1):10-19. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1587392

  2. Chaiyakunapruk N, Kitikannakorn N, Nathisuwan S, Leeprakobboon K, Leelasettagool C. The efficacy of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;194(1):95-9. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2005.06.046

  3. Panahi Y, Saadat A, Sahebkar A, Hashemian F, Taghikhani M, Abolhasani E. Effect of ginger on acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a pilot, randomized, open-label clinical trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2012;11(3):204-11. doi:10.1177/1534735411433201

  4. Crichton M, Marshall S, Marx W, McCarthy AL, Isenring E. Efficacy of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and chemotherapy-related outcomes: a systematic review update and meta-analysisJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2019;119(12):2055-2068. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2019.06.009

  5. Brainard A, Gresham C. Prevention and treatment of motion sickness. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(1):41-6.

  6. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ginger.

Cathy Wong

By Cathy Wong
Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.