Ginger Pregnancy Safety & Benefits + Breastfeeding Use

Last updated on February 18th, 2025 at 10:06 am

Ginger is one of the best-researched and most widely used natural remedies in pregnancy. It’s also a popular herb for breastfeeding mothers. This monograph will break down the data from studies, traditional medicine, and professional herbal associations about ginger’s safety and benefits during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. None of the information here should be taken as medical advice. Even if a remedy is classified as safe in Herbal Doula blog posts based on the existing evidence, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for you. The classifications in the database are just a general reference point. Follow your body, keep track of your response, and consult an herbalist, holistic practitioner, traditional midwife, or anyone else you feel may help you if you need expert advice. 

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Ginger Safety Categorization

Pregnancy Safety:

Safe

Labor Safety:

Caution

Breastfeeding Safety:

Safe

Ginger Safety Summary

Most sources suggest that ginger is safe to use in pregnancy in amounts typically found in food. This is up to 2 grams of dried ginger daily, which is equivalent to up to 6 grams/1 teaspoon of fresh ginger and up to 200 mg/day of ginger extract.

Most US professional and herbal associations and authoritative textbooks classify ginger as a Class 1 and Category A herb, which means that it can be safely used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ginger is also classified as GRAS in the US. 

European guidelines tend to be more restrictive and recommend against the use of ginger in pregnancy and while breastfeeding due to insufficient data. 

However, these guidelines have been criticized by experts since ginger has a long history of safe use, especially in Asia.  

Ginger is among the most widely used natural remedies in pregnant women. Women mainly use ginger to ease morning sickness in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. It can also help with digestive and respiratory issues. 

Most human studies confirm that ginger use during pregnancy doesn’t increase the risk of adverse outcomes in pregnant women or their babies.

Some caution is recommended with ginger extracts since they may be more potent and contain different solvents that can affect levels of active compounds and contaminants in the final product.

Ginger is an essential part of many Asian postpartum confinement diets. Plus, it’s used in teas to support postpartum healing, ease afterpains, and support breast milk supply. Several studies examined its use among breastfeeding women. These studies suggest ginger is safe and doesn’t adversely affect the breastfeeding mother or baby. 

In both pregnancy and breastfeeding, caution is recommended with higher ginger doses and long durations of daily use. 

Information is lacking on the use of ginger during labor. Ginger is unlikely to increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage or heavier bleeding since it’s been used without risks on the first day after birth. However, some caution is recommended with higher doses due to potential blood-thinning effects and a lack of data from traditional medicine sources about use in labor. 

All scientific sources, textbooks, and recommendations mentioned in this summary are cited in the sections below (“Ginger Classification in Professional Associations” and “Research on Ginger While Pregnant & Breastfeeding”). 

Ginger Benefits, Actions & Energetics

The energetics of ginger are warming, drying, diffusive, and stimulant. Its taste is pungent and aromatic.

In traditional medicine, ginger is mainly used to support digestive, respiratory/immune, and circulatory health. 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is among the hottest spices on Earth. It’s very heating, pungent, and unmistakably aromatic. 

Ginger calls the body to action. It’s great for damp/stagnation tissue states, as in colds, coughs, and slow digestion. 

The main action of ginger is heating. It’s a circulatory stimulant. By its heating action, ginger stimulates blood flow in the body, loosens mucus, stimulates diaphoresis (sweating), and eases congestion and inflammation. Ginger also helps relieve spasms, which helps reduce nausea, vomiting, indigestion, flatulence, and diarrhea. 

The Sanskrit name for ginger vishwabhesaja translates as panacea, a universal remedy benefiting everybody.

In astroherbalism, ginger is typically associated with Mars. Like Mars, ginger is hot, energetic, and dry.

Traditional & Modern Ginger Formulations

TCM

There are three main types of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ginger formulations (Zhang et al., 2024; Herbal Reality – Ginger).

Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) is quickly “dispersed” in the body and has a broad range of effects, but it’s short-acting. Fresh ginger is traditionally used as a remedy for detoxing, reducing nausea, and encouraging sweating when there’s a fever. Fresh ginger is more hydrating than dried ginger.

Dried raw ginger rhizome (gan jiang) has milder but longer-lasting effects. It’s used when there’s congestion, coldness of the limbs, and general weakness in the body. Dried ginger is considered to be both stimulant and defensive, helping to raise internal temperature and Yang in the body. Yang deficiency refers to a lack of warmth and energy in the body.  

Dried, quick-fried rhizome (pao jiang) is used similarly to dried raw ginger but is thought to have stronger action. It’s commonly used to stop bleeding (such as in nosebleeds or mid-cycle bleeding). 

Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, fresh ginger is called Shunti and dried ginger is Aadrak. Ayurveda considers ginger a sattvic spice. Sattvic means “pure essence” or “goodness.” Sattvic foods and spices are thought to be pure and balancing (whereas rajasic foods are stimulating and tamasic foods weakening). A sattvic diet is sometimes referred to as a yogic diet, and it focuses on pure, natural, energy-containing vegetarian foods and spices.

Ginger is said to be suitable for all three doshas. In larger amounts, it reduces Vata and Kapha and increases Pitta (the body’s inner fire).

Since dried ginger heats up the body more, reducing cold and moistness, it’s more suitable for Kapha constitutions. Fresh ginger is considered to be better suited for Vata and Pitta.

Ginger is also an ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations because it supports and enhances the effects of other herbs. 

>>>>> Love Ayurvedic and TCM herbs? Be sure to read the Turmeric Safety in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding monograph. 

Other Formulations

Aside from TCM and Ayurvedic preparations, ginger is also available as capsules (with dried ginger rhizome or ginger extract), liquid tinctures, ginger candies and biscuits, and ginger root shots. Ginger root shots can be especially high in raw ginger, containing up to 27 g of raw, pressed ginger root per serving. 

Research suggests ginger extracts that use organic solvents are more toxic than water extracts (UK Committee on Toxicity). This makes sense as many organic solvents can be harmful to health, and they may also extract potentially harmful active compounds from ginger that don’t pass into water. Traditional ginger formulations don’t use organic solvents. 

The Fascinating History of Ginger 

For over 5000 years, the people of India and China have been using ginger as a tonic root and remedy for many ailments. Ginger had such an important place in traditional and folk herbalism that we can almost trace all major historical events in parts of Asia and Europe where it was traded by looking at its trade routes and the value of ginger over time  (Bode & Dong, 2011). 

Ginger was one of the first spices to be traded globally, traveling along the Silk Road and other trade routes from Asia to Europe and the Mediterranean. In the 13th century, a pound of ginger would cost you one sheep (Bode & Dong, 2011). 

As the knowledge about ginger spread to other cultures throughout history, ginger became a valuable remedy in Central Asian, Greco-Arab, Roman, and Islamic medicine (Bode & Dong, 2011). 

Ginger was imported to Europe to be used in sweets (hence the gingerbread man) in medieval times. Although some sources suggest that people were aware of its health benefits back then, the widespread medicinal use of ginger in the West is more recent (Bode & Dong, 2011). 

Ginger Traditional Use in Women 

Reports suggest that ginger was used as a galactagogue in Turkey and parts of Asia, where it’s said to enhance milk production in women who had vaginal births (UK Committee on Toxicity). 

Early American physicians favored ginger as a remedy for menstrual cramps.

According to Ayurveda, new mothers are usually advised to eat ginger and garlic for the first month after giving birth to support steady breast milk production. 

Ginger is often part of Ayurvedic postpartum herbal regimens for breastfeeding mothers. It’s combined with ghee, jaggery, cumin, fennel, and other herbs. These herbs are often taken in warm milk or made into snacks. For example, ginger powder, jaggery powder, and cow ghee is made into small sweet balls called laddus (or ladoos), which are recommended as a snack for breastfeeding mothers. 

Ginger and garlic are the two main heat-inducing spices commonly used across the Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultural confinement diets. 

In China, ginger is an important postpartum remedy. It’s typically used in food and added to a variety of postpartum dishes for its benefits. 

In traditional Thai medicine, ginger is called Plook-Fire-Thatu and it’s given to support breastfeeding and postpartum healing and heat re-balancing (Krungkraipetch & Chuleekorn Kwanchainon, 2023)

Ginger is also used to help with postpartum cramping or afterpains in the Middle East (Mozafari et al., 2021). 

Ginger Classification in Professional Associations

Most textbooks and professional associations classify ginger as relatively safe to use during pregnancy based on a lack of reports of negative pregnancy outcomes, but recommend “caution due to limited data” (Heitmann et al., 2013).

US vs European Stance on Ginger in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding 

European and US guidelines seem to disagree. Several EU monographs recommend against ginger use in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient data. US guidelines and textbooks consider ginger to be safe in the recommended amounts based on published studies and a long history of safe use in pregnancy and breastfeeding (EMA monograph on Ginger; AltMedRev – Ginger; NatMed; Mills et al., 2006; AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook, 2013; A Romm, 2017; Mills & Bones, 2012).

The German Commission E Monograph contraindicates the use of ginger for morning sickness (Heitmann et al., 2013). Similarly, EMA recommends against ginger use in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient data (EMA monograph on Ginger). 

However, American editors—citing thousands of years of use and analyses of human studies—refute the recommendation (AltMedRev – Ginger). 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that “treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy with ginger has shown beneficial effects and can be considered as a nonpharmacologic option.” ACOG adds that the recommendation is based on “limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.” (Maitre et al., 2011). 

Ginger and ginger oil have FDA GRAS (Generally recognized as safe) status in the US.

The U.K. National Health Service, through the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, has included ginger in its list of acceptable therapies for the treatment of nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy (Maitre et al., 2011). 

The UK Committee on Toxicity adds that ginger doesn’t appear to be detrimental to pregnant women, although adverse effects cannot be ruled out. They conclude that eating normal levels of ginger within a diet during pregnancy is not considered a health concern (UK Committee on Toxicity – Ginger).

In Finland, the Evira Finnish Food Safety Authority (2010) claims that it is not possible to scientifically establish a safe limit for the consumption of ginger during pregnancy and decided to add a warning label of “not recommended for pregnant women” to food supplements containing ginger as well to ginger tea and corresponding drink powders (Choi et al., 2015). 

(Something similar happened when the Danish authorities banned ashwagandha, which received widespread criticism since the ban was not based on evidence)

Chinese Perspective 

Traditional Chinese medicine sources consider that dried ginger preparations can be used cautiously during pregnancy (Mills & Bones, 2012).

Herbal Authorities’ Stance 

Bone & Mills’ authoritative textbook “Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy” mentions that ginger is a Category A herb, which means that it shows “no proven increase in the frequency of malformation or other harmful effects on the fetus despite consumption by a large number of women.” Ginger is also listed as compatible with breastfeeding in this textbook.

Aviva Romm also mentions that ginger is classified as a category A herb in her “Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health” (A Romm, 2017). 

Bone & Mills state that ginger is among the most popular natural remedies for “self-medicating” among pregnant women. They highlight that—in a review of 15 studies including 777 women in which ginger was used for pregnancy morning sickness in the first trimester—ginger was not associated with complications (Mills & Bones, 2012).

They also say that ginger should not be used during pregnancy and lactation without expert advice, particularly at doses above 2 g/day (Mills & Bones, 2012).

According to the AHPA botanical safety handbook, ginger is safety class 1: Herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately (AHPA Handbook).

AHPA mentions that data from several clinical trials including over 900 pregnant women have not reported any adverse effects of 1 to 2 g ginger daily on pregnancy outcomes (AHPA Handbook).

In the NatMed professional database, ginger is classified as likely safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding when used in food amounts and possibly safe during pregnancy in medicinal amounts. 

LactMed states the data are limited but that ginger has a long history of use as a food and medicine and is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), including during breastfeeding (LactMed – Ginger).

Research on Ginger While Pregnant & Breastfeeding

Focus on Ginger Safety in Pregnancy 

Safety studies in women in the first or second trimester found:

• No differences in miscarriages, C-section rates, or congenital abnormalities in 37 trials involving 5049 women who used various interventions for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, including ginger (Matthews et al., 2014)
• No increase in fetal malformations, stillbirth or neonatal death, preterm birth, low birth weight, or low Apgar score in a large Norweigan study in 68 522 women (of which 1020 used ginger) (Heitman et al., 2003)
• Slightly higher vaginal bleeding or spotting after 17 weeks in women who took ginger (7.8% vs 5.8%). When looking only at vaginal bleeding more than spotting, there was no difference. There was also no difference in bleeding-related hospitalization (Heitman et al., 2003)*
• No increase in major malformations, stillbirths, or spontaneous abortion in women who took ginger. This Canadian study (part of the Motherisk program) compared women who took ginger in the first trimester to women who were prescribed conventional drugs during pregnancy and didn’t take ginger. More small babies were born in the group taking conventional drugs (Portnoi et al., 2003)
• No significant side effects or adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes in a review of 6 randomized clinical trials and no spontaneous or case reports of adverse events during ginger use in pregnancy (Borrelli et al., 2005)
• No difference in miscarriages or major malformations but a trend of increased stillbirths (2.7% vs 0.3%). However, there was large variability in the dose of dried ginger and other herbal medications women were using, so the authors concluded that more studies should test stillbirth rates in women who take ginger (Choi et al., 2015)** 

*Norwegian data show that women who use ginger during pregnancy are more likely to use folic acid and other supplements as well as to have more severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. They’re also more likely to be using medications for nausea and vomiting such as antihistamines  (Heitman et al., 2003)`

**In this Korean study, the average length of using ginger was only 2 days, since in half of the cases it was prescribed for cold and cough. Therefore, ginger is unlikely to have had any effect used in such short intervals. The only indication for using ginger longer in this study was for digestive complaints and nausea. Also, since a much larger Norweigan study found similar rates of stillbirth (0.6%) in women who did and didn’t use ginger, it’s possible that the Korean study was too small to compare the two groups adequately. 

Summary

Most studies suggest that ginger is safe during pregnancy and doesn’t increase the risk of adverse outcomes in pregnant women or their babies (Lindblad & Koppula, 2016).

Does Ginger Reduce Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy?

Ginger is among the most widely used herbs in pregnancy. Surveys of pregnant women in Australia and Canada reveal that approximately 12 to 30% of women used ginger nausea relief during pregnancy (AHPA Handbook).

Systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials evaluated ginger in pregnancy. A Cochrane review found that ginger may improve nausea and vomiting in the first trimester (Lindblad & Koppula, 2016; Matthews et al., 2014). 

Another review that looked at the potential benefits of ginger in reducing nausea symptoms in pregnancy concluded that ginger didn’t pose a risk for side effects during pregnancy. They considered it a “harmless and possibly effective alternative option for women suffering from nausea and vomiting in pregnancy” (Viljoen et al., 2014). 

According to a review of 4 randomized controlled trials, ginger appears to be a safe and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. The authors point out that the ideal duration of use and maximum safe dosage of ginger are uncertain. They consider that the consequences of over-dosage and drug-herb interactions should also be researched more (Ding et al., 2013).

Another review of 6 randomized controlled trials concluded that ginger may be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (Borrelli et al., 2005). 

Summary

Ginger seems to help reduce morning sickness in pregnancy. It’s among the most common natural remedies women take to ease their symptoms. 

Animal Studies of Ginger during Pregnancy

In one study, rats were given strong fresh ginger tea (20-50 grams of ginger per one liter of tea) in early pregnancy. Rats drinking ginger tea experienced higher pregnancy loss, although fetuses that survived were heavier and had better skeletal development as compared to controls. No fetal malformations or signs of maternal toxicity were observed (Wilkinson 2000).

In another study, ginger extract given at varying doses (including very high doses) to pregnant rats was safe. It had no adverse effects on the pregnant animals or their offspring (Weidner & Sigwart, 2001). 

We don’t know how and if these studies may translate to humans, and we can’t make any assumptions based on them—especially since we have much more clinical study data about ginger use in pregnant women outlined in the previous section. 

Ginger in Late Pregnancy & Labor

Since ginger is mostly used to ease morning sickness in the first and second trimesters, there is not a lot of data about its use in late pregnancy and labor. 

Some sources have claimed that ginger tea should not be consumed after 37 weeks of pregnancy as it may increase the risk of preterm labor, but there is no evidence or even any report to support this claim. The only theoretical rationale to possibly explain this precaution is that late pregnancy is already a state of increased circulation and that circulatory stimulants may be too much for some women.

Other sources cite an increased risk of hemorrhage if used in labor. This is likely based on ginger’s possible blood-thinning action, but no studies or reports mention ginger in relationship to postpartum hemorrhage. Also, some ginger formulations are traditionally used to stop bleeding, so ginger’s action depends on its formulation and dosage.

Others yet caution against the use of ginger in pregnancy in women with a history of miscarriage, vaginal bleeding, or clotting disorders based on cellular studies (Heitmann et al., 2013). 

Overall, there is no data to suggest that ginger is actually problematic in late pregnancy and labor.

However, since it’s not typically traditionally used in the third trimester or during labor, it may make more sense to postpone ginger use until after birth—unless you are using it to address a specific health concern and there is no more suitable herbal alternative. 

Summary

Although there is no real-world data to suggest that ginger may be harmful in late pregnancy and labor, there is also no traditional medicine or other data to support its use during this time. 

Ginger While Breastfeeding 

Several studies of ginger (alone or in combination with other herbs/treatments) in breastfeeding women have been published. Most suggest that ginger is safe for both mother and baby and may support breast milk supply (LactMed – Ginger).

In one study, a woman undergoing Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis postpartum took ginger (250 mg twice daily) for 3 months. She breastfed her baby throughout treatment and her baby had normal growth and development (Deshpande et al., 2017). 

In another study, exclusively nursing mothers received multi-herb capsules with ginger, fenugreek, and turmeric for 4 weeks. The women experienced a 49% increase in milk volume at week 2 and a 103% increase at week 4, which was greater than in the placebo group. No adverse events were reported in their babies (Bumrungpert et al., 2018)

A Japanese study compared a 13-herb mixture, including ginger, to methylergonovine for their effects on lactation in postpartum women. Women who took the herbal mixture had higher serum prolactin and greater milk volumes by days 4–6, while their plasma oxytocin was initially lower but similar by day 6. This study has several flaws. The main issue is that it used methylergonovine (which may reduce breast milk supply) instead of a placebo as the control (Ushiroyama et al., 2007). 

Thai herbal compresses containing ginger, turmeric, and camphor shortened the time to lactation postpartum compared to routine clinical care for enhancing lactation in studies (Dhippayom et al., 2015). 

In a survey of 1876 respondents nursing mothers in Australia, 52 mothers were taking ginger as a galactagogue. They rated ginger as slightly effective (McBride et al., 2021). 

In traditional Thai medicine, ginger is called Plook-Fire-Thatu and it’s given to support breastfeeding, postpartum healing, and heat re-balancing. One study compared it to placebo and the drug domperidon in over 200 women. Given the 3rd day postpartum, ginger increased the breast milk production and mean body temperature of postpartum women. The authors concluded that it’s a natural way to boost breast milk supply (Krungkraipetch & Chuleekorn Kwanchainon, 2023). 

Ginger is also an ingredient in a traditional Thai postpartum and galactagogue herbal tea called Wang Nam Yen. This tea contains sappan, licorice, bael fruit, ginger, and jewel. The most active galactagogue ingredient is considered to be ginger (Saejueng et al., 2022). 

In a study of 120 women who had a C-section, Wang Nam Yen herbal tea helped boost breast milk production at 72 hours postpartum (Saejueng et al., 2022). 

In a study of traditional ginger use in an Indonesian village, ginger tea helped support breast milk production postpartum (Arviyanti et al., 2024)

One Indonesian study even tested a novel ginger patch in postpartum moms for breastfeeding support (Ladyvia et al., 2024)

Summary

Ginger is likely safe while breastfeeding based on studies on women and its long-standing traditional use. It may also support breast milk supply postpartum. 

Ginger for Afterpains & Postpartum Recovery

One Iranian study gave ginger to women after birth to help with afterpains. Ginger was more effective than the placebo. Ginger is used to help soothe afterpains in the Middle East (Mozafari et al., 2021). 

A Thai study also showed that ginger may help reduce perineal and uterine pain after birth. The study used ginger extract capsules, which were more effective than the placebo (Jaiarree et al., 2023)

Ginger Safety FAQs

Can Ginger Cause Postpartum Hemorrhage & Bleeding Postpartum? 

Some guidelines advise women with a history of miscarriage, vaginal bleeding, or clotting disorders to avoid ginger during pregnancy. They also mention that ginger is contraindicated close to labor because of an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage (Heitmann et al., 2013). 

Women worry that ginger may increase bleeding postpartum, mentioning that their OBGYN told them to avoid ginger for the first month after birth as it would increase bleeding. Some even claim that women shouldn’t use ginger immediately after birth due to the “danger of hemorrhaging.” 

Wow, that sounds scary, and it’s completely unfounded. 

Others rely on advice that ginger can be started on the 12th day after vaginal delivery and the 30th day after a c-section. There are no sources of these claims, so it’s uncertain where they’re coming from. 

More nuanced sources mention that ginger should only be used in small amounts for women bleeding heavily and increased once the flow of lochia lightens. This is a rationale that makes sense, since large amounts of fresh ginger may have blood-thinning effects. 

However, there are no real-world reports of ginger causing or worsening postpartum hemorrhage in women. 

Since ginger is an important part of traditional postpartum diets in Asia, and no increased risk of hemorrhage has been reported when it’s used right after birth in research studies, these precautions do not seem to be founded in evidence. Concerns are likely based on findings from cellular studies in which ginger blocked pathways involved in blood clotting. This hasn’t been shown in animals or humans, however (AltMedRev – Ginger; Heitmann et al., 2013).

Overall, ginger is a promising natural galactagogue and postpartum remedy. Studies and traditional data suggest that it can be used in the immediate postpartum period without any notable side effects. It was even used in several studies after C-sections that generally cause greater blood loss than vaginal birth (Paritakul et al., 2016; Saejueng et al., 2022). 

In one Iranian study in which women took ginger on the first day postpartum, the amount of postpartum hemorrhage was within the normal range with no cases of excessive postpartum hemorrhage (Mozafari et al., 2021). 

Steamed ginger extract was also given right after delivery in a Thai study with no adverse reactions (Jaiarree et al., 2023). 

According to tradition, the best way to use ginger postpartum is to prepare it in foods, steamed or fried. It’s thought to go especially well with black sesame oil, a traditional qi and blood tonic that also supports breast milk production.

Summary

Ginger doesn’t increase the risk of bleeding after birth if used in normal amounts. Some caution may be reasonable with larger amounts of ginger in women who are bleeding a lot. Ginger is also great for easing afterpains, reducing perineal pain, and supporting postpartum healing in general. 

Does Ginger Cause Jaundice in Breastfed Infants?

No. No data to suggest this, although some women report that their doctors warned them about it. 

One Chinese review mentions that herb use during pregnancy has been wrongly blamed for jaundice in newborns (Fok, 2001). 

In a study of 1008 mother-infant pairs, there was no association between maternal herb consumption during pregnancy and the incidence or severity of jaundice in newborns. The authors point out that there are many misunderstandings and unsubstantiated beliefs about the relationship between herbal medicine and newborn jaundice (Fok, 2001). 

Does Ginger Affect Sex Hormones During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding?

One UK document states that in-utero exposure or exposure to ginger during breastfeeding may indirectly affect hormonal levels and spermatogenesis in male animals (UK Committee on Toxicity). 

Some scientists have brought up theoretical concerns about the effects of ginger on the developing embryo based on ginger’s ability to bind to testosterone receptors. It may be theoretically possible for ginger to affect sex-related fetal brain development during pregnancy based on studies that weren’t done on pregnant animals–but this is a far-fetched claim lacking substantiation (Heitmann et al., 2013).

A lot of things may be theoretically possible… and we can theorize about anything. Yet, in this specific case—no relevant studies or real-world data support such claims. 

The UK Committee cites animal studies in which ginger was given to diabetic rats to help balance testosterone levels and fertility markers. In conclusion, they also admit that the animal studies are inconclusive. 

Currently, animal research suggests that ginger supplementation, particularly in oxidative stress conditions (as in chronic disease and stress), may enhance testosterone production in males (Banihani, 2018). 

However, the effect of ginger on testosterone is not yet confirmed in humans, and there are no studies to suggest it may affect sex hormones during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

Ginger Side Effects

When used as a medicinal, ginger is generally well tolerated in adults. 

The most commonly reported side effects of ginger are gastrointestinal, such as bad taste, heartburn, abdominal discomfort, weight gain, dry mouth, and nausea. Other less common side effects include dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness (UK Committee on Toxicity – Ginger; LactMed – Ginger; EMA – Ginger).

In one study with pregnant women taking 1.95 g daily of ginger or vitamin B6, heartburn was reported in 12% of the participants taking ginger. This was higher than in the B6 group (3% heartburn). However, since there was no placebo group, we don’t know if the heartburn was from—or worsened by—ginger or from the pregnancy itself (Chittumma et al. 2007).

In another study, 6% of mothers taking ginger reported experiencing adverse reactions such as weight gain, headache, dry mouth, and nausea (McBride et al., 2021). 

The German Commission E mentions that ginger is contraindicated in people with gallstones without saying why (AltMedRev – Ginger).

Ginger Dosage: How Much is Safe During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding?

1-2 grams of dried ginger daily is considered to be safe in pregnancy. This is equivalent to 2-6 grams of fresh ginger (UK Committee on Toxicity – Ginger) or up to 200 mg of ginger extract (Mustafa et al., 2019).

There’s been a lot of confusion around this as women are sometimes told not to consume more than 1 gram of ginger per day in pregnancy, but they’re not told that this dosing refers to dried ginger and is on the lower, restrictive side of the dosing recommendation. 

Also, while in Europe and North America, the maximum recommended dose of dried ginger during pregnancy is 2 g/day, a maximum dose of 9 g/day is permitted in China. However, the average dose was approximately 0.5 g/day of dried ginger (Choi et al., 2014).

Caution is recommended with ginger extracts as they may be more potent or contain a different array of active compounds depending on which solvent was used. For example, ginger extracts that use organic solvents are more toxic than water extracts (UK Committee on Toxicity).

Avoid ginger shots that may contain up to 30 grams of fresh ginger per serving! 

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What Is the Bottom Line?

• Ginger has a long history of use in traditional medicine as a warming, stimulating, circulatory herb. It supports digestive, respiratory/immune, and circulatory health.
• Most sources classify ginger as safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding (Class 1, Category A, GRAS in the U.S.)
• Ginger is commonly used for morning sickness and postpartum recovery, with studies confirming no increased risk to mothers or babies during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

>>>>> Love Ayurvedic and TCM herbs? Be sure to read the Turmeric Safety in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding monograph. 

Did you use ginger? 

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