Ginger


Guidelines
Wellness
Cautions
Dosing
Integrative
Programs
More
Information

Key Points

  • This page is under construction.
  • Before using this therapy, consult your oncology team about interactions with other treatments and therapies. Also make sure this therapy is safe for use with any other medical conditions you may have.
  • Ginger is promoted to reduce nausea and vomiting.
  • Because ginger may increase risk of bleeding, several sources advise against using ginger around the time of surgery.
  • Ginger may be contraindicated in pregnant or lactating women and people with gallstones.
  • Ginger is used in a few integrative programs and protocols and in traditional medical systems (Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine).

BCCT plans to write a summary on ginger. While our summary is in development, you can visit About Herbs: Ginger

Clinical Practice Guidelines

The Society for Integrative Oncology’s 2017 clinical practice guidelines for breast cancer give ginger a grade C rating for use in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Grade C "indicates the evidence is equivocal or that there is at least moderate certainty that the net benefit is small."12

Managing Side Effects and Promoting Wellness

Managing or relieving side effects or symptoms, reducing treatment toxicity, supporting quality of life or promoting general well-being

Ginger is promoted to reduce nausea and vomiting.

Cautions

Because ginger may increase risk of bleeding, several sources advise against using ginger around the time of surgery, as well as in people with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulants.3 About Herbs also lists adverse reactions as well as several herb-drug interactions. See the Ginger summary for more information.

Other people for whom ginger may be contraindicated:

  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • People with gallstones

BCCT suggests consulting with your physician and pharmacist if you are thinking about taking ginger and are on medications and/or have a condition in which ginger is contraindicated.

Dosing

BCCT does not recommend therapies or doses, but only provides information for patients and providers to consider as part of a complete treatment plan. Patients should discuss therapies with their physicians, as contraindications, interactions and side effects must be evaluated.

Dosage recommendations are available from these sources:

Integrative Programs, Protocols and Medical Systems

For more information about programs and protocols, see our Integrative Programs and Protocols page.

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