ingestible · for nausea & upset stomach
Ginger
Reviewed by the Nimbera editorial team · Last updated May 2026
How to use
For nausea, take 1,000 mg of ginger powder per day in divided doses (e.g. 250 mg four times daily) or drink 1-2 cups of fresh ginger tea made from 1-2 grams of fresh sliced root steeped for 5-10 minutes. For motion sickness, take 1 g ginger 30-60 minutes before travel. For pregnancy nausea, 250 mg four times daily is the most studied dose. Ginger candies and chews provide lower and less reliable doses.
How it works
Ginger's active compounds - gingerols and shogaols - inhibit 5-HT3 (serotonin type 3) receptors and substance P/NK1 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract and brainstem, both of which are key mediators of the vomiting reflex. This is the same receptor targeted by prescription antiemetics such as ondansetron. Ginger also accelerates gastric emptying, which may reduce nausea caused by delayed stomach emptying.
Where to buy
Fresh ginger root at any grocery store. Ginger capsules (standardized to 5% gingerols) at pharmacies and health food stores. Common brands: Nature's Way Ginger Root, NOW Ginger Root. Ginger tea bags widely available.
Typical cost: $5-$15 for a bottle of capsules; fresh root is $1-$3 per piece
Safety notes
Ginger may slow blood clotting and can potentiate anticoagulant medications including warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin - consult your prescriber before using ginger supplements if you take any blood thinner. The FDA has advised healthcare providers to be cautious in patients on warfarin who use ginger. At doses above 5 g/day, ginger can cause heartburn, diarrhea, and mouth irritation. Pregnant women should limit supplemental ginger to 1,000 mg/day and inform their obstetrician.
Drug & supplement interactions
- Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about any supplements you take.
- Interactions can occur with prescription medications, blood thinners, and immunosuppressants.
- Herbal remedies can affect how the body absorbs or metabolises drugs.
- Check drugs.com interactions checker before starting.
Clinical source
Viljoen E et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of ginger for pregnancy-associated nausea. Nutr J. 2014.This information is compiled from primary clinical literature and is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our full disclaimer.