Efficacy and Safety of Ginger regarding Human Milk Volume and Related Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Ginger has been used as a galactagogue in Southeast Asian countries. However, limited evidence of its effect has been reported. This systematic review summarizes the efficacy and safety of ginger regarding human milk volume. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A systematic review was conducted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which studied the effect of ginger on human milk volume were included. The primary outcome was 24-h human milk volume. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We found five RCTs. Two studies reported ginger as a single intervention, while three studies reported ginger in a combination with other herbs. We found that ginger could enhance human milk volume in mothers with vaginal births. It failed to improve human milk volume in mothers with cesarian section (C-section). Ginger in several combination products has been shown to be effective in enhancing human milk volume, including ginger with pandan, with turmeric and fenugreek, and with Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin. No adverse effect directly related to ginger was reported. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Ginger could be used to enhance human milk volume in mothers with vaginal births, but not in mothers with C-section. Combined ginger products could also be considered to improve human milk volume. These findings could guide healthcare providers or mothers to consider using ginger to increase human milk production.

Orally consumed ginger and human health: an umbrella review

“…Of the 24 included systematic reviews, 17% were rated as having critically low quality ( 38 , 45 , 47 , 50 ), 46% as low quality ( 2 , 30–34 , 36 , 40 , 43 , 44 , 46 , 51 ), 33% as moderate quality ( 29 , 35 , 37 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 48 ), and 4% as high quality ( 49 ) ( Table 3 ; Supplemental Table 4 ). Only a single systematic review ( 49 ) reported sources of funding of primary studies (item 10) and only 2 reviews ( 37 , 41 ) provided a list of excluded studies with explanations for exclusion (item 7).…”

“…All 3 (100%) primary studies that assessed range of motion and arm circumference and both (100%) studies that assessed perceived exertion during exercise found no statistically significant effect of ginger consumption ( 38 ). One (50%) of the 2 studies that measured human breast milk volume found a statistically significant increase with ginger consumption ( 2 , 43 ). No reviews that examined breast milk volume or physical performance conducted meta-analyses.…”

“…Three systematic reviews ( 2 , 38 , 43 ) explored other effects of ginger. The overall finding was consistent evidence of no beneficial effect on lactation as well as physical performance.…”

“…Nine (60%) ( 29 , 32 , 35–37 , 43 , 44 , 50 , 51 ) of the 15 systematic reviews that reported on adverse events found no incidence of any adverse effect associated with ginger use ( n = 32 primary studies; n = 1826 participants). In systematic reviews that did report adverse effects, the most common events reported, regardless of study population, were mild gastrointestinal side effects, mainly reflux or heartburn ( 2 , 29 , 32 , 37 , 40 , 45 , 49 , 50 , 52 , 53 ), abdominal discomfort ( 2 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 50 ), and diarrhea ( 2 , 29 , 37 , 50 ).…”

Plant-Derived Substances for Prevention of Necrotising Enterocolitis: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies

“…Evidence suggests that curcumin, ginger and fennel (all considered generally safe by the FDA, USA (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/ CFRSearch.cfm?fr=582.10&SearchTerm=fennel, accessed on 12 June 2023)) warrant further evaluation in high quality pre-clinical studies. Safe use of ginger and curcumin in pregnant or lactating women and in the paediatric age group is reassuring [53][54][55][56][57][58]. Comprehensive search for the evidence on the safety and efficacy, and independent assessment of the quality of a plant-derived substance/product is critical if it is to be developed for use in preterm infants.…”