Ginger for morning sickness

Ginger is a proven remedy for nausea and can significantly relieve morning sickness after a few days of treatment.¹ There are several ways you can use ginger to relieve your symptoms. Try:

• Ground ginger in a 250 mg capsule, taken 4 times a day. Look for improvement in symptoms after 4 to 7 days.² Buy ginger capsules that are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not mixed with other substances that may harm your baby.
• Grated fresh ginger into hot water, used as a tea.
• Ginger in a sugar syrup base, available at health food stores. A 15 mL dose (containing 250 mg of ginger) taken 4 times daily is likely to relieve vomiting after 6 days.²
• Eating crystallized ginger, which reportedly works for some women.

There is no known fetal risk linked to using ginger during pregnancy. Some women have reported heartburn or reflux.²

Ginger is unlikely to help with severe, persistent nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum).² If you have this condition, see your health professional.

Citations

1. Niebyl JR, Goodwin TM (2002). Overview of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy with an emphasis on vitamins and ginger. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 186(5, Suppl): S253-S255.

2. Festin M (2007). Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy in early pregnancy, search date September 2006. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.