Zingiberis rhizoma
Ginger
Zingiber officinale Roscoe.
Published 2026
Format: PDF, 73 pages
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SUMMARY
The herbal monograph selects and summarizes scientific studies and textbooks regarding efficacy, dosage and safety to support the therapeutic uses of Ginger.
This herbal drug, by definition, consists of the whole or cut rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, with the cork removed, either completely or from the wide flat surfaces only.
Studies with its main characteristic constituents – an oleoresin containing pungent principles including homologues of gingerol (principally 6-gingerol), gingerdione, shogaol, diarylheptenones, gingerdiol and related compounds, as well as an essential oil made up of predominantly sesqui-and monoterpene hydrocarbons.
The therapeutic indications include prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting due to motion, in early pregnancy (under medical supervision) and as a post-operative anti-emetic in mainly short surgical procedures.
Administration of ginger addresses posology; its duration of use; contra-indications; special warnings; special precautions for use; interactions with other medicinal products; other forms of interaction; in pregnancy and lactation; its effects on ability to drive; undesirable effects and overdose.
In vitro experiments with ginger extracts or its constituents demonstrated gastrointestinal effects such as antiemetic and antinauseant activity on 5-HT receptors, effects on gastric motility, gut bacteria and microbiota, as well as antioxidant and ant-inflammatory actions. In vivo experiments with ginger or its extracts or constituents demonstrated gastrointestinal effects on nausea and vomiting, motility, salivary flow, as well as showing anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, immunomodulatory effects and modulation of metabolic syndrome.
Pharmacological studies in humans concern beneficial gastrointestinal effects on gut motility and flora, as well as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antithrombotic and anticoagulant effects.
Controlled clinical studies demonstrated potential effectiveness in nausea and vomiting associated with motion, surgical operations, medication including cancer chemotherapy, pregnancy, as well as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-metabolic syndrome effects.
Pharmacokinetics of ginger and its extracts were assessed in animals and humans.
Preclinical safety data for ginger were assessed in toxicity studies.
Clinical safety data were evaluated in human studies.
The selection of literature cited in the monograph is aimed at bringing together relevant information about the possible physiological roles of ginger and its major constituents.
KEYWORDS
- Prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting due to motion,
- Prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy (under medical supervision)
- Symptomatic treatment of mild gastrointestinal complaints
Reference: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Zingiberis rhizoma (Ginger). Exeter: ESCOP; 2026.