Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger ranks 18th in recent herbal supplement sales.

Has long been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for a wide variety of conditions including arthritis, rheumatism, constipation, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and diabetes mellitus.

In vivo human studies show ginger to be effective in management of N/V postop and in association with pregnancy. Clinical research demonstrates potential effectiveness of ginger for dysmenorrhea, vertigo, morning sickness, and osteoarthritis.

In vivo animal studies show ginger has significant anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, hypotensive, glucose-lowering, and lipid-lowering effects.

In vitro studies show ginger has significant antioxidant, antitumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects.

Anecdotal or inconsistent evidence for ginger treatment in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, migraine headache, myalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis.

No toxic or unpleasant side effects reported in human studies with therapeutic doses.

High doses may prolong bleeding time due to inhibition of thromboxane synthetase and stimulation of prostacyclin.

High doses may lower BP.

Potential additive or synergistic effects with antiplatelet agents, heparin, or warfarin, which may increase bleeding risks.

Potential hypotensive effect and additive effect with calcium channel blockers.

Preliminary research demonstrates that ginger increases insulin levels. Therefore it could have an additive effect with any antidiabetes drugs and result in hypoglycemia (particularly important with NPO instructions).