Can nausea and vomiting be treated with ginger extract?

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #antiemetics #antineoplastic-agents #catechols #fatty-alcohols

Can nausea and vomiting be treated with ginger extract?

Giacosa et al., 2015 | Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci | Systematic Review

Citation

Giacosa A, Morazzoni P, ... Rondanelli M. Can nausea and vomiting be treated with ginger extract?. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015-Apr;19(7):1291-6

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a spice traditionally used to treat indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Ginger extracts accelerate gastric emptying and stimulate gastric antral contractions. These effects are mainly due to the presence of gingerols and shogaols and their activity on cholinergic M receptors and serotonergic 5-HT and 5-HT receptors. Various researches on this subject have led to controversial results, due to the chemical instability of ginger extracts and particularly of gingerols, which are readily-oxidizable substances. A systematic review of double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies highlighted the potential efficacy of ginger on the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting of various origins, even though additional controlled studies are needed. This review focuses on pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting and on chemotherapy induced nausea, and hypothesizes a therapeutic role for ginger extracts in case of side effects, as an alternative to traditional prokinetic drugs such as domperidone, levosulpiride or metoclopramide.

Key Findings

This review focuses on pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting and on chemotherapy induced nausea, and hypothesizes a therapeutic role for ginger extracts in case of side effects, as an alternative to traditional prokinetic drugs such as domperidone, levosulpiride or metoclopramide.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antiemetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Catechols
  • Fatty Alcohols
  • Female
  • Gastric Emptying
  • Zingiber officinale
  • Humans
  • Nausea
  • Plant Extracts
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Vomiting

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: ginger

Provenance

  • PMID: 25912592
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09