How Safe Is Ginger Rhizome for Decreasing Nausea and Vomiting in Women during Early Pregnancy?

Abstract

Ginger, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, is increasingly consumed as a food or in food supplements. It is also recognized as a popular nonpharmacological treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). However, its consumption is not recommended by all countries for pregnant women. Study results are heterogeneous and conclusions are not persuasive enough to permit heath care professionals to recommend ginger safely. Some drugs are also contraindicated, leaving pregnant women with NVP with few solutions. We conducted a review to assess effectiveness and safety of ginger consumption during early pregnancy. Systematic literature searches were conducted on Medline (via Pubmed) until the end of December 2017. For the evaluation of efficacy, only double-blind, randomized, controlled trials were included. For the evaluation of the safety, controlled, uncontrolled, and pre-clinical studies were included in the review. Concerning toxicity, none can be extrapolated to humans from in vitro results. In vivo studies do not identify any major toxicities. Concerning efficacy and safety, a total of 15 studies and 3 prospective clinical studies have been studied. For 1 g of fresh ginger root per day for four days, results show a significant decrease in nausea and vomiting and no risk for the mother or her future baby. The available evidence suggests that ginger is a safe and effective treatment for NVP. However, beyond the ginger quantity needed to be effective, ginger quality is important from the perspective of safety.

Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials

“…A large population-based cohort from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study correspondingly reported that ginger did not affect the risk of teratogenicity and abnormalities in birth [78]. Moreover, a review from Stanisiere et al found that there were no severe side effects with ginger consumption in controlled, uncontrolled, and pre-clinical studies, with a significant reduction in nausea and vomiting [79]. These results support the idea that ginger may be an alternative approach for antiemetic therapy in women during the gestation period of pregnancy.…”

A Critical Review on the Role of Food and Nutrition in the Energy Balance

“…Apart from characteristic burning sensation felt upon the consumption of ginger [115], no adverse effects or toxicity has been reported in the human studies. A recent systematic review has also shown its safety in pregnancy [124].…”

Apoptosis Exerts a Vital Role in the Treatment of Colitis-Associated Cancer by Herbal Medicine

“…Overall, no serious adverse effects have been reported by the studies conducted in herbal medicine Payab et al, 2020). There was reportedly a low risk of adverse events associated with the uses of American ginseng, Licorice, Ginger, and Lentinula edodes in maintaining well-being, decreasing nausea or vomiting in early-stage pregnant women, ameliorating postoperative sore throat, and preventing nodal metastasis in breast cancer patients, respectively (Arring et al, 2018;Stanisiere et al, 2018;Kuriyama and Maeda, 2019). However, heavy metal contents in Coca, such as nickel and aluminum, displayed potential adverse non-carcinogenic health effects in consumers (Salama, 2018).…”