Ginger (African ginger, black ginger, cochin ginger, Imber, Jamaica ginger, race ginger, rhizoma zingerberis, rhizome, sheng jiang, Shokyo, zingibain, Zingiber officinale, Zingiberis)
Classes: Analgesics, Herbals; Gastrointestinal, Herbals
Suggested dosing of African ginger, black ginger (ginger)
Migraine Headache
500 mg PO q4hour PRN; no more than 1.5-2 g/d
Morning Sickness
250 mg PO QID or 500 mg PO BId
Motion Sickness (Powdered Root)
1 g PO 0.5-4 hours before traveL
Nausea, Chemo-induced (Powdered Root)
1-4 g/d PO; no more than 4 g/d
Osteoarthritis (Extract)
170 mg PO TID Or
255 mg PO BId
No more than 4 g/d
SSRI Taper/Discontinuation
550-1100 mg PO TID; no more than 4 g/d
Other Information
Nausea/Vomiting of Pregnancy: 250 mg powder PO QID, may take up to 6 g/d
Suggested uses of African ginger, black ginger (ginger)
Antiemetic, carminative, stimulant, anti-inflammatory
Dyspepsia, migraine headache, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea (chemo-induced), nausea/vomiting (post-op), osteoarthritis, respiratory infections, rheumatoid arthritis, SSRI taper/discontinuation
Efficacy
Demonstrated antiemetic efficacy in pregnancy, postoperative nausea and vomiting and vertigo
Possibly ineffective for motion sickness
Insufficient reliable data to rate use in chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, migraine headache, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
African ginger, black ginger (ginger) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
May increase bleeding tendency
Abdominal discomfort
Cardiac arrhythmias (OD)
CNS depression (OD)
Dermatitis (topical use)
Diarrhea
Heartburn
Mouth/throat irritation
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Gallbladder disease
Cautions
Bleeding disorders, cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypotension
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: not recommended by German Commission E; however, current data indicate safe when used at usual therapeutic dose
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of African ginger, black ginger (ginger)
Mechanism of action
Galanolactone: 5HT3 antagonist
Inhibits prostaglandin and eicosanoid synthesis
