Ginger: what it does and what to watch
Also known as: Adrak, Zingiber officinale · Herbal supplement (culinary root extract) · Updated 2026-08-20 · Educational — not medical advice
In plain language: Ginger contains compounds thought to act on the digestive tract and on signals the brain uses to trigger nausea. Of all the traditional herbal remedies, ginger's anti-nausea effect has some of the more consistent clinical trial support, with its best-supported use being nausea in pregnancy (and as an add-on after surgery); evidence for motion sickness is mixed and inconsistent, though study quality and size still vary. This makes ginger one of the better-evidenced herbal options for this specific use, even though it is not a treatment for any underlying medical condition causing nausea.
What it's used for
- Traditionally used to ease nausea and an upset stomach
- Taken for motion sickness
- Used to settle mild digestive discomfort
- Sometimes discussed with a doctor for pregnancy-related queasiness
Common side effects
- Heartburn or acid reflux
- Mouth or throat irritation
- Belching or gas
- Mild diarrhea
- Bloating
Get medical help if…
Increased bleeding risk when concentrated ginger supplements are combined with blood thinners or antiplatelet medicines
Allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals
A drop in blood pressure in people prone to low blood pressure
Additive blood-sugar-lowering effect when combined with diabetes medicines at supplement doses
Lab values it can move
Few guides tell you this part: medicines show up in blood work. If you take Ginger and a value below looks off on your report, this may be part of the story — never stop a medicine without your doctor.
Concentrated ginger supplements have a mild antiplatelet effect that can add to the action of prescribed blood thinners. (This affects how platelets behave, not the platelet count itself — the number on the report stays the same.)
Platelet CountSome studies suggest a modest blood-sugar-lowering effect, worth noting for anyone on diabetes medicine who also monitors fasting glucose.
Fasting GlucoseGood to know
- Ginger used in cooking or as tea is generally well tolerated by most people
- Concentrated ginger supplements or extracts carry a higher interaction risk than culinary amounts, particularly with blood thinners
- Tell a doctor about ginger supplement use before any planned surgery
- People on diabetes medicine should watch for signs of low blood sugar if adding a ginger supplement
- Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss ginger supplement use with a doctor rather than assuming culinary-level safety applies
Questions people ask
Is ginger actually proven to help with nausea?
Among herbal remedies, ginger has comparatively solid evidence for easing nausea, with the most consistent trial support relating to pregnancy nausea, while results for motion sickness and other nausea triggers have been mixed. It does not work the same way for everyone, and studies vary in size and quality, but of the commonly used herbal options, this is one where the traditional use and the modern research point in the same direction.
Can I take ginger supplements with my blood thinner?
This needs a conversation with a doctor first. Ginger has a mild blood-thinning effect of its own, and concentrated supplement doses can add to the effect of prescribed anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines, raising bruising or bleeding risk. Culinary amounts in food are a much smaller concern than a dedicated ginger supplement.
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