10 Conditions Ginger Can Help Manage Naturally

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) belongs to the same plant family as cardamom and turmeric. In cooking, you can peel and grate the root to make stir-fries or use nickel-sized slices to flavor a stew.

Ginger is also appreciated for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It contains over 100 beneficial bioactive components. It is also very rich in antioxidants, which neutralize harmful molecules to prevent cell damage and disease.

Since ancient times, ginger has been used as a remedy for a number of illnesses, including colds, sore throats, muscle pain, nausea and upset stomach. But what does the research say?

Here are 10 conditions that eating ginger could help manage, according to science.

Ginger can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. A research review found that consuming 2 grams or less of ginger daily can significantly reduce total cholesterol and certain lipids (fats that circulate in the blood), such as triacylglycerol (LABEL).

Although several human studies have shown that ginger can help reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”), total cholesterol, and lipids, more research is needed before ginger can be recommended as a standard treatment.

Ginger is considered safe and has few or no side effects when taken in small doses, such as 2 grams or less. It is also a readily available and inexpensive option for managing cholesterol levels.

Ginger is widely known for its soothing effects on the stomach. Taking 1.5 grams of ginger can relieve stomach nausea. Several studies have shown that as little as 1 gram of ginger per day can effectively reduce pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

Ginger may also help manage gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ginger can relieve stomach pressure by reducing gas and bloating, which could otherwise cause the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to open. When the LES relaxes or opens, it can allow stomach acid to enter the esophagus and trigger acid reflux.

A clinical trial involving people with functional dyspepsia (recurrent stomach pain without a clear medical cause) found that a supplement combining ginger and artichoke extract helped reduce symptoms. Researchers said ginger targeted the stomach while artichoke targeted the small intestine.

When taken before lunch and dinner, the supplement significantly improves nausea, stomach pain, gas, and bloating compared to a placebo.

Standard treatments for migraines often include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other medications. Researchers have explored the use of ginger extract as a complementary treatment to further improve migraine relief.

In a clinical study involving 60 people with acute migraine during the trial, all participants received an intravenous (IV) infusion of 100 milligrams of ketoprofen (an NSAID). Some participants also received 400 milligrams of ginger, containing 20 milligrams (5%) of its active compound, gingerol.

People who received additional ginger treatment showed significantly better results than those who received additional placebo treatment. The ginger group reported reduced pain and improved ability to function compared to the placebo group.

Approximately 240 million people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), a painful inflammatory disease often associated with aging. Although NSAIDs can help manage osteoarthritis, their long-term use can lead to potential side effects.

Research suggests that ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties make it useful as a co-treatment to reduce local inflammation in osteoarthritis. Expert organizations also recognize the potential of ginger in managing the symptoms of this disease.

Ginger contains compounds that may provide antioxidant support. These include gingerols, shogaols and zingerones. Their health protective properties have several benefits, including relief from menstrual pain.

These compounds help relax muscle spasms that often occur before and during menstruation. Compound shogaols may also reduce pain when used over time. Additionally, ginger has anti-gas properties that can reduce the nausea and indigestion that often accompany hormonal changes during menstruation.

Ginger may help reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the body’s angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which plays a role in the development of hypertension (high blood pressure). Ginger may also support healthy blood flow by reducing platelet aggregation (the clumping of blood cells that can restrict blood flow, leading to the formation of blood clots). However, research on the latter point is inconclusive.

Several studies suggest that doses of 3 grams or more of ginger per day can effectively reduce systolic (the highest value in a blood pressure measurement) and diastolic (the lowest value) blood pressure in adults aged 50 and younger with diabetes.

Although ginger has been used as an adjunct treatment to blood pressure medications, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

The fragrant and spicy components of ginger, such as gingerols, shogaols and zingerones, have hypoglycemic properties. Researchers have studied ginger for its antidiabetic effects.

A study of 45 adults ages 30 to 60 with type 2 diabetes examined the effects of taking a 2,000-milligram ginger supplement daily for 10 weeks alongside the participants’ usual medical treatment. The results showed that those who took the ginger supplement had significant reductions in their fasting blood sugar and HbA1c, a key marker of long-term blood sugar control.

Ginger can be an effective alternative to over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and inflammation after oral surgery.

In a study of people recovering from gum surgery, a 400-milligram dose of ginger taken three times a day, for three days, was found to be just as effective as ibuprofen (a common NSAID, often under the brand name Advil) in reducing swelling and discomfort.

Ginger can be used with other herbs or plant extracts to treat coughs. Ginger contains compounds called polysaccharides that have natural antitussive (antitussive) properties. For example, a combination of ginger and tangerine peel extracts (which also contains polysaccharides) can be an effective home remedy for coughs.

The beneficial components of ginger (namely gingerols, shogaols, zingerones, and paradols) provide anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial support. Microbes, including bacteria, can weaken a person’s immunity and contribute to the onset of a cold.

An itchy and sore throat may accompany a cough and cold. Sucking on a hard ginger candy can provide soothing relief.

Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as seasonal allergies or hay fever, is a response to allergens such as pollen. Symptoms of hay fever include blocked (inflamed) nasal passages, itchy throat and watery eyes.

Research has shown that ginger supplementation may be a potential alternative to medications such as Claritin (loratadine), an antihistamine. A small study treated a group of allergy sufferers with 500 milligrams of ginger extract for three to six weeks and another group with 10 milligrams of loratadine. Both groups saw similar improvements in nasal symptoms, including a reduction in pressure, and the ginger group had fewer side effects.

Ginger is generally recognized as safe with no known side effects in moderate doses (up to 4 grams per day). However, consuming too much can cause side effects such as allergic reactions, digestive discomfort, and mood fluctuations.

Doses of up to 6 grams per day could worsen digestive problems like GERD and potentially contribute to gallstone formation due to increased bile acid production. In rare cases, high doses of ginger have also been linked to a rapid heart rate.

Potential drug interactions:

Some compounds in ginger may interact with certain medications, including:

• Warfarin and antiplatelet drugs: Use ginger with caution or avoid it when taking blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin) or antiplatelet medications. The properties of ginger may enhance the effects of these medications, increasing the risk of bleeding.
• Diabetes medications: Because ginger can lower blood sugar levels, people taking diabetes medications should be careful when consuming ginger. Combining ginger with hypoglycemic medications may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).

Ginger root is an aromatic herb commonly used to enhance the flavors of dishes. With its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other soothing properties, it is also used to reduce the symptoms of colds, sore throats and upset stomachs.

These anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities make ginger a useful complementary therapy alongside conventional medications: it can even relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce the intensity and duration of migraines.

Ginger is generally recognized as safe when used in moderate doses. However, avoid high doses and consult your doctor if you are taking blood thinners or hypoglycemic medications to avoid a potential drug-herb interaction.