Does Ginger Work?

Ginger is used as a spice, preservative and medicine throughout the world. In naturopathy and herbalism, ginger is widely regarded as a holistic treatment option for nausea and vomiting. If you are interested in using ginger for medicinal purposes, you may wonder, "Does ginger work?"

Depending on why you want to take ginger supplements, it may work wonders or fail miserably in addressing your health concern. Here is a run-down of the evidence supporting ginger's medicinal use.

What Ginger Probably Works For

Ginger is an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting following surgery, and there is also significant evidence supporting its use as an alternative treatment for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting (morning sickness). Ginger also effectively combats symptoms of dizziness, including lightheadedness, vertigo and nausea. These uses are well-supported by scientific evidence, and the benefits appear to outweigh the risks for most individuals.

What Ginger Might Work For

Some of ginger's uses are under-researched; there is not enough evidence to support or refute some traditional claims attributed to the herb. It's unclear if ginger can treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and migraine headaches. Ginger may reduce symptoms of rheumatoidarthritis and osteoarthritis, but there isn't enough evidence to conclusively support these uses. Although used traditionally to fight colds, flus and other viral infections, ginger may or may not actually work as an antiviral supplement.

What Ginger Doesn't Work For

The bulk of available scientific evidence suggests that ginger is no more effective than a placebo (sugar pill) for reducing symptoms of motion sickness or sea sickness. Nevertheless, many people report a reducation in the severity of symptoms if they have taken ginger prior to travel. If you are interested in using ginger to treat motion sickness, consult your primary health care provider about the relative benefits and risks.