Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Human Evidence, Uses & Safety

Ginger is one of those herbs that lives in the kitchen and the supplement aisle at the same time. That matters because a slice of ginger in food, a cup of tea, a gram-dose powder, and a concentrated extract do not create the same exposure.

Quick answer

Human research supports ginger for some uses, especially nausea, and newer randomized-trial evidence suggests ginger supplementation may modestly reduce blood-pressure readings in some adults. The blood-pressure evidence is still rated low certainty, so ginger should not be marketed as a treatment for hypertension.

What newer blood-pressure research found

A 2026 GRADE-based meta-analysis pooled 12 randomized controlled trials and found average reductions of about 5 mmHg systolic and 2 mmHg diastolic with ginger supplementation. The researchers still rated the certainty of the evidence low because the trials were inconsistent and generally short.

Evidence strength

Norene’s Farmacy rating: HUMAN CLINICAL EVIDENCE FOR SELECT USES, WITH LIMITATIONS. The strength depends on the exact claim, dose, population, and product form.

Safety and interactions

Concentrated ginger supplements deserve more caution than ordinary culinary use. Ginger can cause heartburn or digestive upset, and people using blood thinners, diabetes medicines, or blood-pressure medicines should discuss concentrated use with a healthcare professional. Do not replace prescribed treatment with ginger.

Source

Karimi M, et al. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 2026. GRADE-based systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PubMed PMID 42566667.

Dr. Village Reports is educational journalism and product guidance, not medical advice.