Nausea, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea and irritation of the mouth and throat also have been reported (Arfeen et al., 1995; Meyer et al., 1995; Jellin, 2001). Ginger may cause additive reductions in blood glucose (Ojewole, 2006). These effects appear to be dose-dependent (Lumb, 1994; Srivas, 1984; Srivastava,1986) and were not found in studies in subjects who ingested 4 g of powdered ginger daily for 3 months (Bordia et al., 1997). Ginger has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro, possibly through its inhibitory action against thromboxane synthetase (Srivastava,1986; Backon, 1991a; Backon, 1991b; Nurtjahja-Tjendraputra et al., 2003).
Drug Interactions with Ginger
No interactions of ginger with chemotherapy have been reported. All interactions are speculative.
Due to its inotropic properties, ginger may interfere with or enhance the activity of inotropes and antihypertensive drugs. Ginger may increase production of gastric acid and may interfere with antacids, H2-blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. By virtue of its potential to cause hypoglycemia, ginger may interfere with diabetes therapy.
Theoretically, ginger may increase the bleeding risk in patients receiving anticoagulants (Jellin, 2001) by inhibiting platelet aggregation (Natural Standard, 2010). Although no interaction on cytochrome P450 was found with ginger, the Chinese herbal medicine sho-saiko-to, which contains ginger and six other herbs, including ginkgo, has been associated with inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A2, P450 3A, and xanthine oxidase (Natural Standard, 2010). The contribution of ginger to this effect is unclear. 6-gingerol has been reported to inhibit P-glycoprotein in vitro (Natural Standard, 2010).
