Ginger and ginger and ginger and pregnancy-natural-remedy">ginger pregnancy : effective and without medication?

The morning sickness touch 70 to 85% pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. The ginger is one of the rare plants whose antiemetic effectiveness has been validated by randomized clinical trials — and whose safety profile in early pregnancy is well documented.

How ginger works on nausea

Two main mechanisms are identified:

• Cholinergic action : gingerol blocks serotonin (5-HT3) receptors in the tract ginger gastroenteritis-intestinal — the same receptors targeted by certain antiemetic drugs (ondansetron)
• Acceleration of the ginger bloating-irritable colon">gastric emptying : ginger increases gastric motility, reducing food stagnation in the stomach — direct cause of nausea

What clinical studies show

Pivotal study — Fischer-Rasmussen (1990)

First randomized double-blind study on 30 women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (severe vomiting during pregnancy). 250 mg of ginger extract 4 times/day vs placebo. Result: significant reduction in vomiting in the ginger group (p<0.001).

Meta-analysis — Viljoen et al. (2014)

Nutrition Journal — 12 randomized controlled studies, 1278 pregnant women. Conclusion:

• Ginger significantly reduces the frequency of vomiting (p<0.001)
• Reduction in the intensity of nausea 35 to 40% vs placebo
• No significant adverse effects at the doses studied (≤1g/day of extract)

Comparison with vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is the recommended standard treatment for mild pregnancy nausea. A randomized study (Smith et al., 2004, Obstetrics & Gynecology) directly compared ginger and B6: equivalent efficiency on mild to moderate nausea, without significant difference.

Doses and safety during pregnancy

Doses tested in clinical studies: 500 mg to 1g of ginger extract per day, in divided doses. This level is considered safe in the first trimester according to:

• The European Medicines Agency (EMA) — positive opinion for ginger in mild nausea
• German Commission E — approved for nausea
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Important precautions:

• Consult a doctor or midwife before any supplementation in the event of pregnancy
• Do not exceed 1g/day of standardized extract
• Avoid if there is a history of miscarriage or bleeding
• Ginger May Potentially Interact With Blood Thinners

Forms of Ginger for Pregnancy Nausea

NRTI and pregnancy

If you opt for a concentrate of organic ginger in Belgium, INTI has several specific benefits for pregnant women:

• 1.19g of sugar/100ml — important to avoid glycemic peaks (risk of ginger diabetes gestational)
• 0 added sugar — organic erythritol instead, glycemic index 0
• 100% organic — pesticide-free, important during pregnancy
• Pasteurized — certified food safety

Note: the turmeric-black-pepper-synergy-benefits">high doses of turmeric are not recommended during pregnancy. The amount present in INTI (culinary use) is considered safe, but consult your doctor if you have doubts.

Sources: Fischer-Rasmussen (1990), Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol; Viljoen et al. (2014), Nutr J; Smith et al. (2004), Obstet Gynecol; EMA/HMPC/577856/2010.