Ginger Tea in Pregnancy: Benefits, Safety, and Directions
Benefits
Effectiveness
Dosage & side effects
Directions
Bottom line
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Ginger tea is made by steeping fresh or dried ginger root in hot water.
It’s thought to help relieve nausea and vomiting and may be an effective remedy for morning sickness associated with pregnancy.
However, you may wonder whether drinking ginger tea is safe for expecting mothers.
This article examines ginger tea’s ability to relieve pregnancy-induced nausea, suggested amounts, possible side effects, and how to make it.
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Possible benefits of ginger tea in pregnancy
Up to 80% of women experience nausea and vomiting, also known as morning sickness, in their first trimester of pregnancy (1Trusted Source).
Fortunately, ginger root contains a variety of plant compounds that may help with some of the discomforts of pregnancy (2Trusted Source).
Specifically, two types of compounds in ginger — gingerols and shogaols — are thought to act on receptors in the digestive system and speed stomach emptying, which in turn may help reduce feelings of nausea (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).
Gingerols are present in large amounts in raw ginger, while shogaols are more abundant in dried ginger.
This means that ginger tea made from either fresh or dried ginger may contain compounds with anti-nausea effects and be suitable for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
What’s more, ginger has been shown to help relieve pain from uterine cramping, which many pregnant women experience in the first trimester (4Trusted Source).
However, no studies have analyzed ginger’s effects on cramps in pregnant women specifically.
summary
Two compounds in ginger help increase stomach emptying and reduce feelings of nausea, suggesting that ginger tea may help relieve morning sickness.
Effectiveness of ginger tea for morning sickness
Most studies analyzing ginger’s ability to relieve morning sickness have used ginger capsules (5Trusted Source).
However, their results still highlight the possible benefits of ginger tea, as 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of grated ginger root steeped in water can provide the same amount of ginger as a 1,000-mg supplement (6Trusted Source).
One study in 67 pregnant women found that those who consumed 1,000 mg of ginger in capsule form daily for 4 days experienced significantly less nausea and vomiting episodes than those who received a placebo (7Trusted Source).
Additionally, an analysis of six studies found that women who took ginger in early pregnancy were five times more likely to experience improvements in nausea and vomiting than those who took a placebo (8Trusted Source).
These collective results suggest that ginger tea may help women with morning sickness, especially during the first trimester.
Summary
While no studies have analyzed the effectiveness of ginger tea in pregnancy, research on ginger supplements suggests it helps reduce episodes of nausea and vomiting.
Recommended amounts and possible side effects
Ginger tea is generally considered safe for pregnant women, at least in reasonable amounts.
While there is no standardized dose for nausea relief in pregnancy, research suggests that up to 1 gram (1,000 mg) of ginger per day is safe (9Trusted Source).
This equates to 4 cups (950 ml) of packaged ginger tea, or homemade ginger tea made from 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of grated ginger root steeped in water (6Trusted Source).
Studies have found no associations between taking ginger during pregnancy and an increased risk of preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, or other complications (1Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).
However, some evidence suggests that ginger tea should not be consumed close to labor, as ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Pregnant women with a history of miscarriages, vaginal bleeding, or blood clotting issues should also avoid ginger products (10Trusted Source).
Finally, frequently drinking large amounts of ginger tea may lead to unpleasant side effects in some individuals. These include heartburn, gas, and belching (1Trusted Source).
If you experience these symptoms while drinking ginger tea, you may want to cut back on the amount you drink.
summary
Up to 1 gram of ginger per day, or 4 cups (950 ml) of ginger tea, appears to be safe for pregnant women. However, women close to labor and those with a history of bleeding or miscarriages should avoid ginger tea.
How to make ginger tea
You can use dried or fresh ginger to make ginger tea at home.
After steeping 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of sliced or grated raw ginger root in hot water, take a sip of the tea to determine whether the strength of the ginger flavor suits your preference. Simply add water to dilute the tea if you find it too strong.
Alternatively, you can pour hot water over a dried ginger teabag and let it sit for a few minutes before drinking.
Be sure to sip ginger tea slowly so that you don’t consume it too quickly and feel more nauseous.
summary
You can make ginger tea by steeping freshly grated or dried ginger in hot water.
The bottom line
Ginger has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting.
As such, drinking ginger tea may help relieve morning sickness during pregnancy. It’s generally considered safe to drink up to 4 cups (950 ml) of ginger tea per day while pregnant.
However, ginger tea should not be consumed close to labor, as it may increase the risk of bleeding. It may likewise be unsafe for women with a history of bleeding or miscarriages.
If you want to try ginger tea to alleviate your nausea symptoms during pregnancy but don’t have fresh ginger on hand, you can find dried ginger tea in stores and online.
Does ginger affect pregnancy?
