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Ginger for Nausea in Early Pregnancy: What the Meta-Analysis Shows

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A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials (6 studies, 508 pregnant women) found ginger (about 1 g/day)...

A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials (6 studies, 508 pregnant women) found ginger (about 1 g/day) was associated with improved nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy. This evidence applies specifically to pregnancy-related nausea; because pregnancy is a sensitive situation, ginger should only be used after discussing it with your obstetric provider.

Key Findings

  • Across 6 randomized placebo-controlled trials (508 pregnant women), ginger was associated with significantly improved nausea/vomiting of early pregnancy versus placebo.
  • Roughly 1 g/day of ginger for at least 4 days was the commonly studied regimen.
  • This evidence is specific to nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy and should not be generalized to other types of nausea.
  • The authors noted that the long-term safety profile of ginger in pregnancy is not fully established, underscoring the need for clinician guidance.

Study Details

Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis
Thomson M, Corbin R, Leung L — Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (2014)
Ginger (~1 g/day) was associated with significantly improved nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy versus placebo across 6 randomized trials.
508 participantsModerate

Practical Takeaway

Ginger has been studied specifically for nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy, where about 1 g/day was associated with symptom improvement. Because pregnancy is a sensitive situation and long-term safety data are limited, ginger should only be used in pregnancy after discussing it with your obstetric provider, who can advise on an appropriate amount. This evidence applies to pregnancy-related nausea and should not be taken to mean ginger helps nausea from other causes. This is supportive information, not medical advice.

Summary

A meta-analysis of randomized trials found ginger was associated with improved nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy — an effect specific to the pregnancy setting studied.

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OsteoarthritisInflammationNauseaGastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does ginger help with morning sickness?

A meta-analysis of randomized trials found ginger (about 1 g/day) was associated with improved nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy. It is one of the better-studied non-drug options for pregnancy nausea, but it should be used under the guidance of your obstetric provider.

How much ginger was studied for pregnancy nausea?

Trials commonly used roughly 1 gram of ginger per day for at least 4 days. Because individual circumstances vary in pregnancy, confirm an appropriate amount with your obstetric provider before use.

Is ginger safe during pregnancy?

Ginger was generally well tolerated in the pregnancy trials, but the long-term safety profile is not fully established, so it should only be used in pregnancy with your provider's guidance. Always raise any pregnancy supplement with your obstetric clinician first.

Does this mean ginger helps all kinds of nausea?

Not necessarily. This evidence is specific to nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy. Ginger has been studied for other types of nausea separately, but those are different populations and should not be assumed from this pregnancy-focused evidence.

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Supplement Guide

Ginger

Bottom line: Ginger is a dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitor with solid evidence for OA pain relief and anti-nausea effects. Take 250-1,000mg standardized extract daily.

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References

  1. Thomson M, Corbin R, Leung L (2014). Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. DOI PubMed
  2. Viljoen E, Visser J, Koen N, Musekiwa A (2014). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutrition Journal. DOI PubMed