Does ginger help with pregnancy nausea?

Yes for nausea, modestly, and less clearly for vomiting. In a meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials, the two placebo-controlled trials that could be pooled found that ginger lowered nausea by 1.20 points on a 10-point scale more than placebo (95% CI 0.56 to 1.84) over 4 days. The authors grade that evidence as low quality. Most trials gave about 1000 mg of ginger powder a day, split into three or four doses. The women in these trials had ordinary nausea of pregnancy, mostly mild to moderate.

Unsettled. Every review points in the same direction, and none is confident. The 2015 Cochrane review of 41 trials in 5,449 women judged that ginger may help, but called the evidence limited and not consistent. A 2018 network meta-analysis of 42 trials found adequate evidence only for ginger among treatments for pregnancy nausea, at moderate quality, and its authors still ask for extreme caution, because many of its comparisons are indirect.

What the trials found

Nausea

A 2022 meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials with 1,174 women found ginger eased the severity of nausea against placebo, with a standardized difference of 0.821 (95% CI 0.585 to 1.056). For overall symptoms it reported an odds ratio of 7.475 (95% CI 4.133 to 13.520). That is the odds of improving, the trials were small, and the abstract gives no absolute rates, so the size of that number says less than it seems to.

The newest syntheses agree, cautiously. A 2026 umbrella review of 18 systematic reviews concluded that 450 to 1950 mg of ginger a day reduces nausea more clearly than vomiting, and most of the reviews it pooled were of low methodological quality. A 2026 network meta-analysis of 24 placebo-controlled trials in 3,017 women listed ginger among treatments that might reduce symptoms, with low to moderate certainty. Ginger was not among its top-ranked options. Quince, vitamin B6 combinations, P6 acupressure and dimenhydrinate ranked higher. An NIHR review of 73 studies also found ginger better than placebo, without a pooled number, because the trials were too different to combine.

Vomiting

This is where the evidence is weakest. In the 2014 pool of two placebo trials, ginger reduced vomiting episodes by 0.72 (95% CI -0.03 to 1.46), which approached significance and did not reach it, and the two trials disagreed with each other. The 2022 meta-analysis found no significant effect on vomiting either, with a standardized difference of 0.549 (95% CI -0.268 to 1.365) and very high heterogeneity.

Against vitamin B6

Ginger and vitamin B6 look about the same. The 2022 meta-analysis found no significant difference for overall symptoms, with an odds ratio of 1.239 (95% CI 0.495 to 3.102), nor for nausea or vomiting. Equivalence was not formally tested there. One trial did test it. In 291 Australian women under 16 weeks pregnant, 1.05 g of ginger a day for 3 weeks was compared with 75 mg of vitamin B6, with no placebo arm, and the two came out close on nausea, retching and vomiting. In a triple-blind trial of 77 women at 6 to 16 weeks, 500 mg of ginger twice a day for 4 days beat placebo and did not differ significantly from B6. In a Thai trial of 138 women that compared 500 mg three times a day with B6 for 3 days, the average nausea score on ginger fell from 5.0 to 3.6. Those trials lasted days, which is short against a condition that can last weeks.

Who should be careful

Not for everyone. If you take warfarin or another blood thinner, ask before adding ginger. Among 171 adults on warfarin followed for 16 weeks, those using ginger had 3.20 times the odds of self-reported bleeding (95% CI 2.42 to 4.24). Those people were not pregnant, the bleeding was self-reported and the abstract gives no absolute rates. It still matters for a pregnant woman on an anticoagulant.

Inside the trials, harms looked uncommon and mild. Across the placebo-controlled trials of the 2014 meta-analysis, heartburn, drowsiness, diarrhea, headache and miscarriage were no more common on ginger than on placebo. Those were short trials with few events, too few to rule out a rare harm. The 2026 network meta-analysis collected rates from single trials only, with no placebo figure beside them: heartburn in 12.1% and 3.2% in two trials, sedation in 11.1%, dizziness in 3.12%, loose stools in 2.94% and arrhythmia in 1.6%. In the Thai trial, sedation affected 26.6% on ginger and 32.8% on vitamin B6, and heartburn 9.4% against 6.3%, a difference that was not significant.

The largest look at babies is observational. In the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort of 68,522 women, the 1,020 who reported using ginger in pregnancy had no higher risk of birth defects, stillbirth or perinatal death, preterm birth, low birth weight or a low Apgar score. Use was self-reported and the dose was unknown, so this cannot vouch for high doses.

Two gaps are worth knowing. No safe upper dose has been set from the trials, which mostly stayed near 1000 mg a day, and doses under 1500 mg looked at least as effective as higher ones. And the Cochrane review left out hyperemesis gravidarum, the severe form that can put women in hospital. The NIHR review did include it and warns that findings may not carry across levels of severity, so the trial results above are about ordinary nausea. NIH NCCIH says little is known about whether ginger is safe while breastfeeding.

What expert bodies say

NIH NCCIH says ginger supplements in pregnancy may be safe and advises talking to your health care provider before using them. It lists abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and mouth and throat irritation as side effects, and warns that some herbs interact with medicines. A systematic review of 48 guidelines relevant to Australian pregnancy care found some consensus on recommending ginger and vitamin B6 for nausea and vomiting, and those guidelines scored poorly on rigour. We could not read what the UK and US obstetric guidelines say about ginger in their own words, as the search note below explains.

If your nausea is mild, ginger is a reasonable thing to raise with whoever looks after your pregnancy. If you are vomiting often, cannot keep fluids down or are losing weight, that is a reason to be seen, and these trials were not about that.

More on the root itself is on the ginger root page. The same question for the usual alternative is answered in does vitamin B6 help with pregnancy nausea.

How we searched

What would change this answer

• A large placebo-controlled trial with a standardized ginger dose and a validated nausea score. Our snapshot of ClinicalTrials.gov found no registered trial of ginger for pregnancy nausea.
• Trials in hyperemesis gravidarum. The current trials are in mild to moderate nausea, and the Cochrane review excluded the severe form altogether.
• Safety data at higher doses in the first trimester. The trials mostly stayed near 1000 mg a day, and no dose ceiling has been established.
• Longer trials. Most lasted 3 to 4 days, and one lasted 3 weeks.

Sources

1. ev-gms-01 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs · n = 2 trials
   Ginger significantly decreased nausea symptoms when compared to placebo (MD 1.20, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.84, p = 0.0002) (Figure 3) and there was no significant heterogeneity detected between the two studies (Chi2 = 0.00, p = 1.00, I2 = 0%).
   
   Who: pregnant women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy; two placebo-controlled trials pooled for change in VAS nausea score, 4 days of treatment
   Effect: VAS nausea MD 1.20 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.84), I2 0%; no difference between >=1500 mg and <1500 mg a day
   Certainty: only 2 of 7 placebo trials poolable; authors grade evidence low quality
   Nutrition Journal, 2014, 13:20 (Viljoen et al.) · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the fulltext
2. ev-gms-02 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs · n = 2 trials
   According to the meta-analysis, ginger failed to significantly reduce the number of vomiting episodes compared to the placebo, although it did approach significance (MD 0.72, 95% CI: -0.03 to 1.46, p = 0.06) and statistically significant heterogeneity was detected between the two studies (Chi2 = 3.44, p = 0.06, I2 = 71%).
   
   Who: pregnant women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy; two placebo-controlled trials pooled
   Effect: vomiting episodes MD 0.72 (95% CI -0.03 to 1.46), p = 0.06, I2 71%
   Certainty: borderline result, heterogeneous; vomiting is the weaker outcome across reviews
   Nutrition Journal, 2014, 13:20 (Viljoen et al.) · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the fulltext
3. ev-gms-03 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs · n = 12 trials
   For all reported adverse events and side-effects in the various studies [including allergic reaction [30], dehydration [30], spontaneous abortions [29,30], abdominal discomfort [29], diarrhea [29], drowsiness [19], headache [29], heartburn [19,29,30], worsening of symptoms requiring pharmaceutical treatment [30] there were no significant differences between the ginger and placebo treated groups (Table 2).
   
   Who: pregnant women in placebo-controlled ginger trials; most took about 1000 mg ginger a day for 4 days
   Effect: no significant difference vs placebo for allergic reaction, spontaneous abortion, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, heartburn
   Certainty: short trials, small numbers; too few events to rule out rare harms
   Nutrition Journal, 2014, 13:20 (Viljoen et al.) · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the fulltext
4. ev-gms-04 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs · n = 12 trials
   Most studies provided 1000 mg of ginger powder for a period of 4 days to women suffering from NVP (with no apparent side-effects or adverse events). The literature suggests taking the total dose in three to four divided doses during the day, irrespective of mealtimes [21-23,25,26,29,30].
   
   Who: pregnant women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in the included trials
   Effect: typical regimen 1000 mg/day for 4 days; subgroup favored <1500 mg/day
   Certainty: subgroup analyses small; dose ceiling for safety not established
   Nutrition Journal, 2014, 13:20 (Viljoen et al.) · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the fulltext
5. ev-gms-05 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · meta-analysis of RCTs · n = 1,174
   Thirteen studies involving 1174 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The result demonstrated that ginger intervention has significant effect in improving general symptom of NVP [OR = 7.475, 95% CI = (4.133, 13.520), I2 = 30.1%], relieving severity of nausea [SMD = 0.821, 95% CI = (0.585, 1.056), I2 = 38.9%], but not significant in reducing vomiting [SMD = 0.549, 95% CI = (-0.268, 1.365), I2 = 91.4%], compared with placebo.
   
   Who: pregnant women in randomized trials of ginger vs placebo or vitamin B6
   Effect: general symptoms OR 7.475 (95% CI 4.133 to 13.520); nausea SMD 0.821 (0.585 to 1.056); vomiting SMD 0.549 (-0.268 to 1.365)
   Certainty: OR is odds of improvement; small trials, vomiting estimate heterogeneous (I2 91.4%)
   J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 2022 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
6. ev-gms-06 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · meta-analysis of RCTs · n = 1,174
   Besides, ginger intervention has no significant effect on improving general symptom of NVP [OR = 1.239, 95% CI = (0.495, 3.102), I2 = 57.3%], relieving severity of nausea [SMD = 0.199, 95% CI = (-0.102, 0.500), I2 = 65.7%], reducing vomiting [SMD = 0.331, 95% CI = (-0.145, 0.808), I2 = 85.9%], compared with vitamin B6.
   
   Who: pregnant women in randomized trials comparing ginger with vitamin B6
   Effect: general symptoms OR 1.239 (95% CI 0.495 to 3.102); nausea SMD 0.199 (-0.102 to 0.500); vomiting SMD 0.331 (-0.145 to 0.808)
   Certainty: equivalence not formally tested; ginger and B6 look similar
   J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 2022 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
7. ev-gms-07 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · network meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of RCTs · n = 42 trials
   Of these interventions, ginger and vitamin B6 were also associated with better vomiting control and less incidence of adverse events. Adequate evidence supporting the use exists only for ginger and the quality of evidence for this comparison is moderate.
   
   Who: pregnant women in randomized trials of treatments for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
   Effect: ginger and vitamin B6 associated with better vomiting control and fewer adverse events; adequate evidence only for ginger, quality moderate
   Certainty: indirect comparisons; authors ask for extreme caution
   Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol, 2018 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
8. ev-gms-08 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · Cochrane systematic review of RCTs · n = 5,449
   The use of ginger products may be helpful to women, but the evidence of effectiveness was limited and not consistent, though three recent studies support ginger over placebo.
   
   Who: women up to 20 weeks' gestation with nausea, vomiting or retching; trials of hyperemesis gravidarum excluded
   Effect: no pooled estimate for ginger; most outcomes could not be pooled
   Certainty: search to January 2015; excludes hyperemesis gravidarum
   Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
9. ev-gms-09 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · umbrella review of systematic reviews with GRADE · n = 18 reviews
   Taking ginger supplements (usually between 450 and 1950 mg daily) significantly decreases the severity and occurrence of nausea and vomiting compared to a placebo. This benefit is more noticeable for nausea than for vomiting, where the results are less consistent. Numerous studies have shown that ginger does not raise the risk of adverse effects, such as spontaneous abortion or side effects like heartburn and drowsiness, when compared to a placebo or vitamin B6.
   
   Who: 18 systematic reviews (8 with meta-analysis) of ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
   Effect: benefit vs placebo on severity and occurrence; clearer for nausea than vomiting; reviews mostly low methodological quality (AMSTAR-2 mean 11.77)
   Certainty: overlapping trials across reviews; long-term safety and best dose still open
   Phytother Res, 2026 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
10. ev-gms-10 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs · n = 3,017
    Conclusions: This study indicates that both pharmacological (vitamin B6, metoclopramide, dimenhydrinate) and non-pharmacological (ginger, quince, acupressure, acupuncture) interventions might be effective in reducing symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
    
    Who: pregnant women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in placebo-controlled RCTs
    Effect: ginger among interventions that might be effective; quince, B6 combinations, P6 acupressure and dimenhydrinate ranked highest; CINeMA low to moderate
    Certainty: search to May 2024; heterogeneity high; ginger not top-ranked
    Nutrients, 2026 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
11. ev-gms-11 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs · n = —
    Patients taking ginger supplements reported loose stools (2.94%) [46], heartburn (12.1%), sedation (11.1%), and arrhythmia (1.6%) [32], as well as dizziness (3.12%) and heartburn (3.2%) [52].
    
    Who: pregnant women taking ginger supplements in included RCTs
    Effect: loose stools 2.94%, heartburn 12.1% and 3.2%, sedation 11.1%, arrhythmia 1.6%, dizziness 3.12%
    Certainty: safety reporting sparse, no pooled estimate; rates come from single trials
    Nutrients, 2026 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the fulltext
12. ev-gms-12 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and economic assessment (NIHR HTA) · n = 73 studies
    There was evidence that ginger, antihistamines, metoclopramide (mild disease) and vitamin B6 (mild to severe disease) are better than placebo.
    
    Who: women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or hyperemesis gravidarum; 6 ginger vs placebo and 6 ginger vs B6 trials
    Effect: ginger better than placebo; no pooled estimate (heterogeneity); findings may not transfer across severities
    Certainty: narrative synthesis; search to September 2014
    Health Technol Assess, 2016 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
13. ev-gms-13 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized controlled equivalence trial · n = 291
    A randomized, controlled equivalence trial involving 291 women less than 16 weeks pregnant was undertaken at a teaching hospital in Australia. Women took 1.05 g of ginger or 75 mg of vitamin B6 daily for 3 weeks.
    
    Who: 291 women less than 16 weeks pregnant, teaching hospital in Australia
    Effect: nausea MD 0.2 (90% CI -0.3 to 0.8); retching 0.3 (-0.0 to 0.6); vomiting 0.5 (0.0 to 0.9)
    Certainty: no placebo arm; single-blind
    Obstet Gynecol, 2004 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
14. ev-gms-14 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial · n = 77
    Ginger and vitamin B6 were more effective than placebo (p = .039 and p = .007, respectively); however, total score of Rhodes did not show significant difference between ginger and vitamin B6 (p = .128).
    
    Who: pregnant women with mild to moderate nausea and vomiting at 6-16 weeks; 28 ginger, 26 B6, 23 placebo
    Effect: ginger vs placebo p = .039; ginger vs B6 total Rhodes score p = .128
    Certainty: small; 4-day treatment
    J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 2018 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
15. ev-gms-15 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized double-blind controlled trial · n = 138
    There were some minor side effects in both groups such as sedation (26.6% vs 32.8%, p = 0.439), and heartburn (9.4% vs 6.3%, p = 0.510), a non-significant difference.
    
    Who: women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy at or before 16 weeks, Bangkok; 64 per group analyzed
    Effect: nausea score 5.0 to 3.6 with ginger; sedation 26.6% vs 32.8%, heartburn 9.4% vs 6.3% (ginger vs B6), not significant
    Certainty: no placebo arm; 3-day treatment
    J Med Assoc Thai, 2003 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
16. ev-gms-16 · Observational data · population-based prospective cohort study · n = 68,522
    Among the 68,522 women in the study, 1,020 (1.5 %) women reported using ginger during pregnancy. The use of ginger during pregnancy was not associated with any increased risk of congenital malformations.
    
    Who: 68,522 pregnant women, Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort; ginger use self-reported at weeks 17 and 30 and 6 months after birth
    Effect: no increased risk of congenital malformations, stillbirth/perinatal death, preterm birth, low birth weight or low Apgar score
    Certainty: self-reported use, dose unknown; observational
    European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2013, 69(2):269-277 (Heitmann, Nordeng, Holst) · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
17. ev-gms-17 · 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, 16-week diary
    Effect: self-reported bleeding OR 3.20 (95% CI 2.42 to 4.24)
    Certainty: self-reported bleeding; not pregnant women; relevant to pregnant women on anticoagulants
    Pharmacotherapy, 2007 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
18. ev-gms-18 · Position of an expert body · systematic review of clinical practice guidelines · n = 48 guidelines
    There was some consensus on recommending ginger and vitamin B6 for nausea and vomiting, and additional supplementation for women with obesity.
    
    Who: 48 clinical practice guidelines relevant to Australian pregnancy care
    Effect: no effect size; guideline consensus
    Certainty: guidelines scored poorly on rigour; Australian focus
    Women Birth, 2022 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
19. 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
20. gt8-11 · Position of an expert body · agency fact sheet · n = —
    Ginger can have side effects such as abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation when taken orally. ... The use of ginger dietary supplements during pregnancy may be safe. ... 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: general public
    Effect: side effects listed; pregnancy use may be safe; possible herb-drug interactions
    Certainty: T2 summary, no own analysis; page updated February 2025
    NIH NCCIH, Ginger: Usefulness and Safety, updated February 2025 · checked 2026-09-30 · we read the section