Ginger

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 10, 2024.

What are other common names?

• Amomum zingiber
• Zingiber capitatum
• Zingiber officinale
• African Ginger
• Black Ginger
• Cochin Ginger
• Gan Jiang
• Ginger Essential Oil
• Ginger Root
• Indian Ginger
• Jamaica Ginger
• Race Ginger
• Zingiberis rhizoma

What is this product used for?

Ginger is an herb and it is also sold as a dietary supplement. It is used by some people for morning sickness. It may also help with an upset stomach after surgery or from drugs used to treat cancer or HIV. It may help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Ginger may be used to reduce pain in joints, during menstrual periods, and from headaches. It may also protect your immune system from damaging healthy cells.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, or enoxaparin.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs for high blood pressure. These are drugs like captopril, atenolol, furosemide, and amlodipine.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that lower your blood sugar. These are drugs like glipizide, acarbose, metformin, or rosiglitazone.

• If you have blood sugar problems, keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Heart problems

  • Bleeding disorders

  • Blood pressure problems

  • Diabetes

What should I watch for?

• Upset stomach

• Heartburn

• Increased gas

• Mouth sores

• Sleepiness

• Rash

Related/similar drugs

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; fever; rash; hives; itching, discolored, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of low blood sugar. These include hunger, dizziness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.

• Very bad throwing up

• Very bad loose stools

• Unusual or rapid heartbeat

• Bruising or bleeding that is not normal

• Changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles

Last Reviewed Date

2023-06-12

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Frequently asked questions

• Does Ginger interact with any drugs?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer