Properties:

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic (prevents nausea), antimicrobial, carminative, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic

Dosage:

1-4 grams daily of fresh or dried root (divided into doses, or taken as an infusion/decoction). For acute nausea, 0.5-2 grams. (Break for at least 2 weeks after 12 weeks of continuous high-dose daily usage).

Benefits:

Supports healthy digestion, alleviates nausea (including motion sickness, morning sickness, and post-operative nausea), relieves gastrointestinal discomfort and bloating, and improves peripheral circulation. Rich in gingerols and shogaols, which provide strong antioxidant and soothing properties.

Hormonal Benefits:

Helps modulate inflammatory pathways associated with menstrual discomfort, supports healthy insulin sensitivity, and can assist in easing dysmenorrhea (painful periods) when taken during the first few days of the cycle.

Avoid if:

You are expecting to undergo surgery within the next 2 weeks, suffer from gallstones (as ginger can stimulate bile flow), have a bleeding disorder, or have known hypersensitivity to ginger.

Cautions:

Use with caution during pregnancy (while commonly used for morning sickness, high therapeutic doses exceeding 1 gram daily or prolonged use should be discussed with a healthcare provider). Can occasionally cause mild heartburn, mouth irritation, or stomach upset if consumed on an empty stomach in large amounts.

You should also be cautious if you are taking any of the following:

Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, etc.), Antidiabetes drugs (may enhance blood-sugar-lowering effects), or Blood pressure-lowering medications.

References

American Botanical Council (ABC). (2000). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Integrative Medicine Communications.

British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA). (1996). British Herbal Compendium: Volume 1. BHMA.

European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2012). European Union herbal monograph on Zingiber officinale Rosc., rhizoma. EMA/HMPC/755554/2010.

Health Canada. (2025). Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID): Zingiber officinale (Ginger). Government of Canada.

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Churchill Livingstone.

World Health Organization (WHO). (1999). WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (Volume 1). World Health Organization.