Effect of Ginger on Relieving Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Nausea and vomiting are common and unpleasant complications in pregnancy. Although many alternative therapists support the use of ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, there is currently insufficient clinical evidence to support its use in this condition Objectives: The present study was performed to assess the effectiveness of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Patients and Methods:This seven-day clinical trial was performed on 120 eligible pregnant women with symptoms of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting before 16 weeks gestation. They were divided into; ginger, placebo and control groups, by block randomization. Women were asked to record their nausea and vomiting for three days, and then participants received either ginger capsules, or a placebo for four days. No intervention was done with the control group. Data measure was self-recorded symptoms according to the Rhodes Index. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, ANCOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test, for the quantitative and qualitative variables. Results: There were no statistical differences in the baseline demographics between the three groups apart from age of marriage and wanted or unwanted pregnancy. An ANCOVA test (covariance test) showed significant differences in mean scores after the intervention in the three groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Ginger was effective for the relief of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting in pregnant women at less than 16 weeks gestation.

The Efficacy of Ginger for Pregnancy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review

“…The outcome of this phase was identifying five studies to be incorporated in this systematic review (Figure 1). All the studies included were exploring the efficacy of ginger in NVP [16][17][18][19][20] . The efficacy of this agent was tested using different scores as mentioned earlier including VAS, or Rhodes Index [16][17][18][19][20] .…”

“…All the studies included were exploring the efficacy of ginger in NVP [16][17][18][19][20] . The efficacy of this agent was tested using different scores as mentioned earlier including VAS, or Rhodes Index [16][17][18][19][20] . Different doses were also used in these studies, where the ginger doses ranged between 450 mg per day to 1950 mg per day [16][17][18][19][20] .…”

“…The efficacy of this agent was tested using different scores as mentioned earlier including VAS, or Rhodes Index [16][17][18][19][20] . Different doses were also used in these studies, where the ginger doses ranged between 450 mg per day to 1950 mg per day [16][17][18][19][20] . Besides, the Jadad score of the studies included was either 2 or 5 [16][17][18][19][20] .…”

“…Different doses were also used in these studies, where the ginger doses ranged between 450 mg per day to 1950 mg per day [16][17][18][19][20] . Besides, the Jadad score of the studies included was either 2 or 5 [16][17][18][19][20] . Key data and findings of the randomized controlled trials are summarized in Table 1 [16][17][18][19][20] .…”

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Midwifery

“…Another study also showed that 44% of midwifery students had recommended CAM therapies to others (10). These methods can be used for treatment of nausea and vomiting, back pain, anxiety, postpartum depression, anemia, striae gravidarum, insomnia, hemorrhoid, vaginal infection, mal-presentation, augmentation and induction of labor, perineal care, retained placenta and lactation problems (8,11,12). Since midwives are care providers to women during puberty and reproductive periods, especially at pregnancy and also during menopause and post-menopausal periods, therefore use of complementary and alternative therapies gives an opportunity to midwives for providing holistic care and enables them to respond to the community and women's needs.…”