Does ginger lower blood pressure?

A little, in trials of ginger supplements, and the certainty is low. A 2026 meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials found ginger lowered systolic pressure by 5.03 mmHg (95% CI 1.57 to 8.49) and diastolic by 2.03 mmHg, and its authors rated the certainty of that evidence low because the trials disagreed. The fall showed up mainly in people whose pressure was already raised, in people with obesity and at doses of 2 g a day or more.

Unsettled. Every review we found points the same way, and none of them can say how big the effect is. The trials are small and short, they give ginger as capsules or powder, and the results swing from about 1.6 mmHg in people with type 2 diabetes to about 6 mmHg in an older review where the trials barely agreed. In the two single trials we found, blood pressure did not move.

What the trials found

The pooled analyses

The 2026 meta-analysis is the newest and largest that deals with blood pressure alone. Its 12 trials gave 13 effect sizes for systolic pressure, and the authors downgraded the certainty only for inconsistency. The abstract does not say how many people took part. In its subgroups the effect was seen in trials that enrolled people with raised pressure or obesity and used at least 2 g a day.

An earlier meta-analysis from 2019 pooled 6 trials in 345 people and found systolic pressure fell 6.36 mmHg and diastolic 2.12 mmHg, with heterogeneity near 90 percent for systolic pressure. In that review the fall held only in trials whose participants averaged 50 or younger, that ran 8 weeks or less and that used 3 g of ginger a day or more. The newer review agrees on the dose, and its abstract reports no split by age.

A 2026 review of 41 trials looked at heart risk markers in general. Its abstract reports a systolic fall of 2.72 mmHg (95% CI 0.19 to 5.25) and lists diastolic pressure among the outcomes ginger did not change.

In people with type 2 diabetes

A 2026 meta-analysis that we read in full pooled 4 trials and found systolic pressure fell 1.62 mmHg (95% CI 0.24 to 3.01). Diastolic pressure did not change significantly. Nearly all its trials came from Iran and enrolled fewer than 100 people, and its authors judged the effects of limited clinical importance. A 2022 review in the same group found a larger systolic fall of 4.20 mmHg from 5 effect sizes, with heterogeneity of 97 percent, which leaves the average close to meaningless.

Single trials

In an 8-week trial, 204 people with type 2 diabetes drank three glasses of black tea a day with 3 g of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom or saffron added, or tea alone. Blood pressure did not differ between the groups. In a 2026 crossover trial, 35 healthy adults took 1.5 g of dried ginger a day in capsules for 6 weeks, and their blood pressure did not change. With normal pressure at the start, little change was expected.

Who should be careful

The cautions here are about bleeding and about medicines, and they matter most to the people a blood pressure question tends to come from.

Not for everyone. If you take warfarin, treat ginger as something to discuss before you start. In a Canadian cohort of 171 warfarin users who kept a diary for 16 weeks, those using ginger had 3.20 times the odds of self-reported bleeding (95% CI 2.42 to 4.24). Those were self-reports, the ginger dose was unknown, and an odds ratio does not say how many people bled. A 2021 systematic review of 149 reports, mostly case reports, lists ginger among the foods and herbs that raise bleeding risk with warfarin.

In a non-randomized study of healthy volunteers and people with hypertension, 1 g of ginger a day strengthened the effect of the blood pressure drug nifedipine against platelet clumping. The authors presented that as a benefit. For someone who also takes a blood thinner it is a reason to ask first, and the abstract gives neither the number of people nor the size of the change.

The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises anyone taking any medicine to talk with a health care provider before using ginger. It says ginger supplements may be safe in pregnancy and that little is known about safety while breastfeeding. We found no trial of ginger and blood pressure in pregnancy or in children.

What expert bodies say

The NCCIH fact sheet on ginger, updated in February 2025, does not mention blood pressure among the uses it describes. We found no position on ginger for blood pressure from the American Heart Association, the European Society of Cardiology, NICE or EFSA.

How we searched

What would change this answer

• A larger trial that runs beyond 12 weeks, in several countries, in adults with diagnosed high blood pressure. We found none registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
• Trials that report how many people took part and how much pressure fell at each dose, so that the 2 g and 3 g thresholds in the reviews can be tested rather than inferred from subgroups.
• Any trial that adds ginger to blood pressure medicine and measures both pressure and bleeding.
• Any data on heart attacks or strokes. Every result here is a reading on a cuff.

What ginger contains and the rest of its evidence is on the ginger root page.

Sources

1. ev-gibp-01 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs with GRADE · n = —
   Ginger supplementation significantly reduced SBP (WMD: -5.03 mmHg, 95% CI: -8.49, -1.57; p = 0.004) and DBP (WMD: -2.03 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.90, -0.15; p = 0.034).
   
   Who: adults in randomized controlled trials of ginger supplementation, searched to May 2026
   Effect: SBP WMD -5.03 mmHg (95% CI -8.49 to -1.57); DBP WMD -2.03 mmHg (95% CI -3.90 to -0.15); GRADE low (inconsistency)
   Certainty: Number of participants not given in the abstract; no full text in PMC. Authors: high heterogeneity, short RCTs, DBP unstable.
   J Hum Nutr Diet, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
2. ev-gibp-02 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs with GRADE · n = —
   Subgroup-specific reductions were observed in trials enrolling participants with elevated baseline BP, using doses ≥ 2000 mg/day, including both sexes, and enrolling participants with obesity.
   
   Who: subgroups of RCTs: elevated baseline BP, obesity, doses of 2000 mg/day or more
   Effect: subgroup-specific reductions; nonlinear inverse dose-response; duration had no meaningful influence
   Certainty: No effect size in subgroups in the abstract; subgroup conclusions are hypothesis-generating.
   J Hum Nutr Diet, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
3. ev-gibp-03 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials · n = 345
   Pooled analysis suggested that ginger supplementation can reduced systolic BP (MD: -6.36 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [-11.27, -1.46]; I2 = 89.8%; P = .011) and diastolic BP (MD: -2.12 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [-3.92, -0.31]; I2 = 73.4%; P = .002).
   
   Who: adults in human clinical trials of ginger supplementation, searched to September 2018
   Effect: SBP MD -6.36 mmHg (95% CI -11.27 to -1.46; I2 89.8%); DBP MD -2.12 mmHg (95% CI -3.92 to -0.31; I2 73.4%)
   Certainty: Only 6 RCTs, I2 ~90%; no GRADE certainty rating in the abstract.
   Phytother Res, 2019 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
4. ev-gibp-04 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials · n = 345
   When studies were categorized based on participants' mean age, ginger dosage and duration of intervention, systolic BP and diastolic BP were significantly decreased only in the subset of studies with mean age ≤ 50 years, follow-up duration of ≤8 weeks and ginger doses ≥3 g/d.
   
   Who: subgroups of 6 RCTs by mean age, dose and duration
   Effect: significant SBP and DBP falls only with mean age <= 50 y, follow-up <= 8 weeks, ginger >= 3 g/day
   Certainty: Subgroups of 6 RCTs; the dose conclusion agrees with the 2026 MA (>= 2 g/day), the age one does not (age is not singled out in 2026).
   Phytother Res, 2019 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
5. ev-gibp-05 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs · n = —
   Ginger supplementation was not effective on the remaining outcomes.
   
   Who: adults in 41 RCTs of ginger supplementation, searched to January 2025
   Effect: SBP WMD -2.72 mmHg (95% CI -5.25 to -0.19); DBP among outcomes with no significant effect
   Certainty: Number of RCTs specifically with blood pressure is not given in the abstract; DBP is counted among the "remaining" ineffective endpoints.
   J Diet Suppl, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
6. ev-gibp-06 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs · n = —
   Pooling data from 4 clinical trials, the model indicated that ginger significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (MD = −1.62 mmHg, 95% CI (−3.01, −0.24), I2 = 6.09%, τ2 = 0.44, and Cochran’s Q: 3.29) (Fig. 5), but not diastolic blood pressure (MD = −2.41 mmHg, 95% CI (−5.45, 0.64), I2 = 76.40%, τ2 = 6.07, and Cochran’s Q: 12.71) (Fig. 6).
   
   Who: adults with type 2 diabetes in placebo-controlled RCTs, 1200 to 3000 mg/day for 8 to 12 weeks; BP pooled from 4 trials
   Effect: SBP MD -1.62 mmHg (95% CI -3.01 to -0.24; I2 6.09%); DBP MD -2.41 mmHg (95% CI -5.45 to 0.64; ns)
   Certainty: Almost all RCTs are from Iran, samples < 100; authors: the magnitude of effects has limited clinical significance.
   Syst Rev, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the fulltext
7. ev-gibp-07 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs · n = —
   Pooling 5 effect sizes, we found a significant reduction in SBP (WMD: -4.20; 95% CI: -7.64, -0.77, I2 =97%) and DBP [WMD: - 1.61; 95% CI: - 3.04, - 0.18), I2 = 93.2%] after supplementation with ginger.
   
   Who: adults with type 2 diabetes in RCTs of ginger, English-language, searched to September 2021
   Effect: SBP WMD -4.20 (95% CI -7.64 to -0.77; I2 97%); DBP WMD -1.61 (95% CI -3.04 to -0.18; I2 93.2%)
   Certainty: I2 97% makes the average estimate unreliable; the newer 2026 meta-analysis (ev-gibp-06) gives a smaller effect and zero DBP.
   Complement Ther Med, 2022 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
8. ev-gibp-08 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized controlled clinical trial, five arms · n = 204
   No significant difference was found between various medicinal plants in terms of influencing BP, serum soluble (s)ICAM-1 concentrations and anthropometric measures.
   
   Who: type 2 diabetes patients given 3 g cinnamon, 3 g cardamom, 1 g saffron or 3 g ginger with three glasses of black tea, or tea alone, for 8 weeks
   Effect: no significant between-group difference in BP
   Certainty: The comparison of ginger versus control specifically is not given in the quote; the quote says only that there is no difference between the plants.
   Blood Press, 2016 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
9. ev-gibp-09 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial · n = 35
   No significant effects were observed on paraoxonase arylesterase activity, lipid and lipoprotein levels, body weight, or blood pressure.
   
   Who: thirty-five healthy participants, dried ginger powder capsules 1500 mg/day or placebo, 6 weeks each, 4-week washout
   Effect: no significant effect on blood pressure, lipids or body weight
   Certainty: Healthy with normal blood pressure, so no effect was expected; consistent with the subgroups of the meta-analysis (effect at elevated blood pressure).
   Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
10. ev-gibp-10 · Observational data · non-randomized clinical comparison study · n = —
    Either aspirin or ginger could potentiate the anti-platelet aggregation effect of nifedipine in normal volunteer and hypertensive patients.
    
    Who: normal human volunteers and hypertensive patients; 1 g ginger with 10 mg nifedipine per day
    Effect: ginger potentiated nifedipine's inhibition of platelet aggregation (synergistic); size not given in abstract
    Certainty: Outside the corpus snapshot; not randomized, no N in the abstract; the authors present the synergy as a benefit, for a reader on anticoagulants it is a bleeding risk.
    The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2006 (Young et al.) · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
11. ev-gibp-11 · Observational data · prospective longitudinal cohort · n = 171
    The CAM therapies associated with an increased risk of self-reported bleeding included cayenne, ginger, willow bark, St. John's wort, and coenzyme Q(10).
    
    Who: 171 adults on warfarin anticoagulation, Canadian hospital, 16-week diary
    Effect: ginger use associated with increased risk of self-reported bleeding
    Certainty: Self-report about intake and bleeding; no effect of ginger on INR shown.
    Pharmacotherapy, 2007 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
12. ev-gibp-12 · Observational data · systematic review of interaction reports, mostly case reports · n = —
    These include Chinese wolfberry, chamomile tea, cannabis, cranberry, chitosan, green tea, Ginkgo biloba, ginger, spinach, St. John's Wort, sushi and smoking tobacco.
    
    Who: reports of food, herbal or supplement interactions with warfarin, 5 databases to December 2019
    Effect: ginger named among products with increased bleeding risk on warfarin
    Certainty: No meta-analysis; the evidence is mostly from case reports.
    Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2021 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
13. ev-gibp-13 · Position of an expert body · agency fact sheet
    If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using ginger or any other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
    
    Who: people taking any medicine
    Effect: consult a clinician before using ginger with medicines
    Certainty: The NCCIH page (Feb. 2025) says nothing at all about blood pressure and the heart; no position of the body on ginger for hypertension found (AHA, NICE, ESC: none).
    NCCIH, Ginger (fact sheet), last updated February 2025 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the section
14. gngb4-01 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials · n = 12 trials
    Twelve unique RCTs contributed 13 effect sizes for SBP and 12 effect sizes for DBP. Ginger supplementation significantly reduced SBP (WMD: -5.03 mmHg, 95% CI: -8.49, -1.57; p = 0.004) and DBP (WMD: -2.03 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.90, -0.15; p = 0.034). ... GRADE assessment rated the certainty of the evidence as low, downgraded only for inconsistency.
    
    Who: Adults in 12 randomized trials; larger effects at 2,000 mg/day or more and with raised baseline blood pressure
    Effect: SBP -5.03 mmHg (95% CI -8.49 to -1.57); DBP -2.03 mmHg (95% CI -3.90 to -0.15)
    Certainty: GRADE low; heterogeneity; short trials
    J Hum Nutr Diet, 2026 · checked 2026-09-23 · we read the abstract
15. gngb4-11 · Observational data · prospective longitudinal observational study · n = 171
    Two CAMs were independently associated with an increased risk of self-reported bleeding: coenzyme Q(10) (odds ratio [OR] 3.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.88-7.24) and ginger (OR 3.20, 95% CI 2.42-4.24).
    
    Who: 171 adults on warfarin in a Canadian hospital, 16-week diary
    Effect: Self-reported bleeding OR 3.20 (95% CI 2.42 to 4.24)
    Certainty: self-reported bleeding; ginger dose unknown
    Pharmacotherapy, 2007 · checked 2026-09-23 · we read the abstract
16. gngb4-12 · Observational data · systematic review of case reports and studies · n = 149 reports
    healthcare professionals should be aware of the increased risk of bleeding when taking several food and herbs. These include Chinese wolfberry, chamomile tea, cannabis, cranberry, chitosan, green tea, Ginkgo biloba, ginger, spinach, St. John's Wort, sushi and smoking tobacco.
    
    Who: 149 reports on 78 foods, herbs and supplements with warfarin
    Effect: Ginger listed as raising bleeding risk; no pooled estimate
    Certainty: based largely on case reports
    Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2021 · checked 2026-09-23 · we read the abstract
17. gngb4-14 · Position of an expert body · agency fact sheet · n = —
    The use of ginger dietary supplements during pregnancy may be safe. As with all herbal supplements, if you're considering using ginger while pregnant, consult your health care provider. Little is known about whether it's safe to use ginger while breastfeeding.
    
    Who: Pregnant and breastfeeding women
    Effect: Position statement, no effect size
    Certainty: agency position without own analysis; page updated February 2025
    NCCIH, Ginger: Usefulness and Safety, updated February 2025 · checked 2026-09-23 · we read the section