Ginger Tea
Ginger tea: what NIH says about nausea and other uses (studied mostly as supplements, not tea), safety, and why a cup of tea is not the same as the studied products.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Overview
Ginger tea is made from ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale). The plant guide is in Ginger. This page is about the tea.What the research shows about the tea
NIH says most ginger studies tested dietary supplements rather than foods. [1] PubMed lists no randomized controlled trials mentioning "ginger tea" in the title or abstract (see Research). So the findings below are for supplements, not necessarily for tea:| Use | What NIH says (about the studied products) |
|---|---|
| Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy | Research shows ginger may be helpful. [1] |
| Motion sickness | Most studies have not shown it to be helpful. [1] |
| Menstrual cramps | Supplements might reduce severity. [1] |
| Knee osteoarthritis | Supplements might help, but much research is poor quality. [1] |
Safety
- Ginger can cause abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and mouth and throat irritation when taken orally. [1]
- Ginger supplements during pregnancy may be safe; consult your provider. Little is known about breastfeeding. [1] We found no sourced evidence on amounts of ginger tea in pregnancy.
- NIH does not list specific drug interactions on its ginger page; ask a pharmacist. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Does ginger tea help nausea?
The evidence NIH describes is for supplements; we found no trials of the tea itself. [1]
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Ginger: Usefulness and Safety. Page last updated February 2025.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.