Ginger root extract

What is ginger?

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose underground stem, or rhizome, is used as a spice and a traditional remedy. It is native to warm parts of Asia and is now grown in South America, Africa and the Middle East. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, ginger has been used in folk medicine since ancient times for conditions such as indigestion, gastrointestinal discomfort, flu and asthma. Its pungent compounds, gingerols and shogaols, are thought to be responsible for most of its effects.

What the research says

Ginger is one of the better-studied herbs, though NCCIH cautions that some of the studies are not high quality. The strongest evidence is for nausea. Research shows ginger may be helpful for nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. Most studies of ginger for motion sickness have not shown a benefit, and it is uncertain whether ginger adds anything to standard treatments for nausea after surgery or chemotherapy.

Ginger supplements may also help reduce the severity of menstrual cramps, and they might help knee osteoarthritis symptoms, although much of that research has been of poor quality. For general indigestion and bloating, ginger is widely used and has a plausible mechanism (it may speed stomach emptying), but large, well-designed trials in healthy adults are limited.

We rate the evidence as moderate for nausea and limited for everyday digestive comfort.

How it’s used in supplements

Ginger is available as fresh root, tea, powdered capsules, extracts standardized to gingerols, chews and candies. Studies on nausea typically use about 1 gram a day or less, split into doses. NCCIH reports that ginger has been used safely in many studies when taken by mouth, but it can cause abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and mouth or throat irritation. Ginger supplements may be safe during pregnancy, but NCCIH recommends consulting a health care provider first. Ginger may have mild blood-thinning effects, so people taking anticoagulant medicines are often advised to check with their doctor.

In PrimeBiome, ginger root extract is one of nine ingredients in a 430 mg proprietary blend, so its dose is not disclosed. It probably contributes a modest amount at most.

If digestive comfort is your main goal, ginger is easy to try on its own as a tea made from fresh slices or as a single-ingredient capsule with a stated dose. That approach lets you judge whether ginger helps you personally, which a small share of a mixed blend cannot do.