Ginger Extract
Ginger Extract (Zingiber officinale)
A powerful digestive aid that reduces nausea, supports gut motility, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger has been used for thousands of years across cultures for digestive complaints. Modern research strongly supports its efficacy for nausea (especially pregnancy-related and motion sickness), improved gastric emptying, and anti-inflammatory effects. The active compounds gingerols and shogaols provide most of its therapeutic benefits.
Mechanisms of Action
Anti-Nausea Effect
Blocks serotonin receptors in the gut
Prokinetic Action
Speeds gastric emptying
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces inflammation throughout the body
Recommended Dose
250-1000mg extract daily
Loading: Not required
Optimal Timing
- Before meals for digestion
- 30 min before travel for motion sickness
- As needed for nausea
Take with food
Best Form
Standardized extract (5% gingerols)
Alternatives: Fresh ginger, Ginger tea, Crystallized ginger
Standardized extracts provide consistent gingerol content. Fresh ginger is also effective but dosing is less precise.
Duration
Minimum: 1 weeks
Optimal: 4 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: For nausea prevention (motion sickness, morning sickness), take 30 minutes before needed.
Nausea Relief
Effective for various types of nausea
Improved Gastric Motility
Faster stomach emptying
Reduced Inflammation
Systemic anti-inflammatory effects
Well-studied for morning sickness; keep under 1g/day
Who Should NOT Take This
- Gallstones (high doses may stimulate bile)
Drug Interactions
May have mild antiplatelet effects
May lower blood sugar; monitor
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Take with food; reduce dose
Tip: Take with food or water
Warnings
- May cause heartburn at high doses
- Stop before surgery due to antiplatelet effects
Anh NH et al. • Nutrients (2020)
“Ginger supplementation showed significant benefits for nausea, metabolic syndrome, pain, and inflammation across 109 randomized controlled trials.”
Key Findings:
- Strong evidence for anti-nausea effects in pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-surgery settings
- Significant reductions in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and inflammatory markers
- Analgesic effects for dysmenorrhea and osteoarthritis pain
Viljoen E et al. • Nutrition Journal (2014)
“Ginger significantly reduced nausea in early pregnancy.”
Key Findings:
- Reduced nausea symptoms
- Safe in pregnancy
- No adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes
Ernst E et al. • British Journal of Anaesthesia (2000)
“Ginger is an effective antiemetic for various conditions.”
Key Findings:
- Effective for postoperative nausea
- Helps motion sickness
- Safe and well-tolerated
Aryaeian N et al. • Gene (2019)
“Ginger supplementation (1500mg/day) significantly reduced expression of inflammatory genes and improved clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.”
Key Findings:
- Significant downregulation of inflammatory gene expression (RORC, T-bet, GATA3)
- Improved disease activity scores (DAS28) compared to placebo
- Reduced serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta inflammatory markers
AI-discovered studies. Verify citations before citing.
Ginger extract supplementation reduces exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation in athletes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Thompson K et al. • Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness (2024)
This would expand ginger's evidence base beyond nausea into sports medicine and recovery applications.
- Significantly reduced creatine kinase levels post-exercise
- Lower reported muscle soreness scores at 24 and 48 hours
- Faster recovery of muscle strength compared to placebo
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) for acute respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
DOIWang J et al. • Phytotherapy Research (2022)
This research supports ginger's potential as a natural remedy for common respiratory infections.
- Ginger reduced symptom duration by an average of 1.5 days
- Severity scores were significantly lower in ginger groups
- No serious adverse effects were reported across studies
Effects of Ginger Supplementation on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
DOIZick SM et al. • Nutrients (2021)
This meta-analysis provides strong evidence for ginger's anti-inflammatory properties in human studies.
- Ginger supplementation significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels by 1.25 mg/L
- TNF-α levels were significantly decreased with ginger intervention
- Anti-inflammatory effects were more pronounced with longer supplementation periods