BT-101 · Zingiberaceae

Ginger

Zingiber officinale
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

Ginger is unknown in the wild; for thousands of years it has been propagated only by people, from pieces of rhizome.

Other names
Jengibre, zencefil (Turkish)
Part used
Rhizome
Region
Asia and Siberia
Use
Healing, Food
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): fresh ginger rhizome starting to sprout
Photo: Zv0486~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is Ginger?

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family. Traditions that use it: Asia and Siberia. Part used: rhizome.

What is Ginger used for?

Traditional use: In India’s Ayurveda it is called the “universal medicine”; in China the fresh rhizome is boiled for colds and nausea. Scientific evidence: limited. The EMA recognises ginger for preventing nausea from motion sickness as a well-established use.

Is Ginger safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Safe in food amounts. High doses can cause heartburn. People on blood thinners or with gallstones should ask a doctor before taking supplements.

Traditional use

South and East Asia

In India’s Ayurveda it is called the “universal medicine”; in China the fresh rhizome is boiled for colds and nausea.

Anatolia

A spice of Ottoman cooking and medicinal pastes; today it goes into winter teas and biscuits.

In nature

Where it grows
Needs a tropical climate; can be grown in pots and greenhouses in Türkiye.
Harvest season
The rhizome is dug 8–10 months after planting, when the leaves yellow.
Local names
zencefil, zencebil

Mix-up risk

Galangal (Alpinia galanga) and turmeric are similar rhizomes from the same family; their taste and colour differ.

Preparation

Fresh rhizome is sliced and boiled for 10 minutes or grated and steeped; the dried form is used as powder.

What science says

The EMA recognises ginger for preventing nausea from motion sickness as a well-established use. Many small studies show benefit for pregnancy nausea; the NCCIH considers the evidence promising. Evidence for joint pain and weight loss claims is weak.

Safety

Generally safe

Safe in food amounts. High doses can cause heartburn. People on blood thinners or with gallstones should ask a doctor before taking supplements.

Similar plants

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): broad leaves and flower
BT-078

Turmeric

Curcuma longa
Zingiberaceae
Evidence: LimitedCaution
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): seed pods
BT-018

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra
Fabaceae
Evidence: LimitedCaution
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): young plants
BT-062

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum
Fabaceae
Evidence: LimitedCaution

Sources

  1. EMA monographZingiberis rhizoma: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
  2. NCCIHUS National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: use and safety summary
  3. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Zingiber officinale
  4. Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.

Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe

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