Ginger (African ginger, black ginger, cochin ginger, Imber, Jamaica ginger, race ginger, rhizoma zingerberis, rhizome, sheng jiang, Shokyo, zingibain, Zingiber officinale, Zingiberis)

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