Evidence supporting the use of: Ginger
For the health condition: Circulation (to the brain)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is believed to "invigorate the blood," "dispel cold," and enhance circulation, including to the brain. While ginger is commonly used to treat digestive complaints and nausea, its role in supporting circulation is more rooted in tradition than robust scientific evidence.
In TCM, ginger is prescribed to "warm" the body and promote blood flow, which is thought to benefit conditions characterized by poor circulation, sometimes including complaints of "cloudy thinking" or "mental fatigue" attributed to stagnation or poor blood flow to the brain. Similarly, some traditional herbal practices have recommended ginger as a stimulant for overall vascular health.
Scientifically, ginger contains compounds like gingerols and shogaols, which have been shown to exert vasodilatory effects in vitro and in animal studies. These effects could theoretically promote blood flow, but direct evidence of ginger improving cerebral (brain) circulation in humans is limited and inconsistent. A handful of small studies suggest ginger may reduce blood viscosity or improve some cardiovascular parameters, but these findings are preliminary and not specific to brain perfusion. Thus, while the traditional rationale for using ginger to support circulation (including to the brain) is well-established, the scientific evidence is currently insufficient to strongly validate this use.
Other ingredients used for Circulation (to the brain)
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dioneAcetyl L-carnitine
Algae
anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
bacoside
beet
bilberry
black currant
blueberry
butylphthalide
caffeine
capillary artemisia
cocoa
Curcuminoid
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
fish oil
flavanols
flavonoids
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo flavone glycoside
ginkgoheteroside
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
grape
green tea
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
lumbrokinase
omega-3 fatty acids
pine bark
pomegranate
Pycnogenol
quercetin
resveratrol
rutin
turmeric
Vincamine
Vinpocetine
Xanthophyll
Xantinol Nicotinate
Other health conditions supported by ginger
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athlete's Foot
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bunions
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cellulite
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Chills
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Hands and Feet
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Emphysema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Foot Odor
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Gout
Halitosis
Headache (cluster)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Laryngitis
Leprosy
Leukemia
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Ménière’s Disease
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mononucleosis
Morning Sickness
Motion Sickness
Mumps
Nausea and Vomiting
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Nursing
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Parasites (general)
Parasites (nematodes, worms)
Perspiration (excessive)
Perspiration (deficient)
Pertussis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
Pneumonia
Poisoning (food)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Protein Digestion (poor)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sweat Baths (herbs for)
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Pure Encapsulations
AI Formula
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Echinacea Synergy
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Inflavonoid Intensive Care®
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Life's Essentials Plus
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Liquid Multivitamin
Integrative Therapeutics
Motility Activator
Pure Encapsulations
MotilPro
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Phyto-4
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PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Designs For Health
Pulmonary Revive™
Thorne
Stress Balance Phytisone
Pure Encapsulations
Th1 Support
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Ultra Pure Pack
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UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
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UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
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UltraNutrient®
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UltraNutrient®
