Evidence supporting the use of: Ginger
For the health condition: Infection (viral)
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, for its purported ability to support the immune system and help manage symptoms associated with viral infections, including colds and influenza. Historical texts and folk medicine practices frequently recommend ginger in the form of teas, decoctions, or poultices to alleviate symptoms like sore throat, cough, and congestion, which are common in viral illnesses. The warming and stimulating properties of ginger are believed to promote sweating and help "expel pathogens" according to traditional theories.
From a modern perspective, some laboratory studies have shown that ginger extracts may exhibit antiviral activity in vitro against certain viruses, such as human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and influenza. These effects are thought to be due to ginger’s bioactive compounds like gingerols and shogaols, which may modulate immune responses or interfere with viral replication. However, robust clinical evidence in humans is limited, and most of the available support for ginger’s use in viral infections remains anecdotal or rooted in tradition rather than in large, well-controlled human trials. Thus, while ginger is widely used for symptomatic relief and immune support during viral infections, its efficacy is primarily justified by centuries of traditional use rather than strong scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Infection (viral)
2'-FucosyllactoseAjoene
alpha-pinene
arabinogalactan
barberry
Myrobalan
berberine
beta-glucan
betel
black cumin
burdock
cassia bark
cat's claw
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
immunoglobin G
iodine
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
licorice root
mangosteen
Monolaurin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
Turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Xylitol
Zinc
sarsaparilla
Yellow root
boneset
pistacia integerrima gall
Swertia
pau d'arco
Yerba santa
oriental arborvitae
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
geranium
Agarikon Mushroom
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Agave
anamu
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
AHCC
aucubin
andrographolide
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Asarum sieboldii
Artepillin C
bee propolis
babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
betulinic acid
Blepharis
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Brazilian peppertree
Bauhinia
baicalin
Belamcanda
coriolus mushroom
carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
casticin
Centipeda
Cistus
Campsiandra angustifolia
calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
dialyzable leukocyte extract
European Elder
Echinacea
fucoidan
Flueggea suffruticosa
fernbush
Glucan peptides
Globulins
Graviola
galangin
Gallesia
golden shower tree
Hypericin
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Immunoglobulin G
Ivy
Java brucea
Kachnar
knotgrass
Lentinan
Lomatium
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lichen
Lapachol
liverwort
Labdanum
Mountain horopito
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
mangostin
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Naphthoquinones
Phellodendron
Premna
Phragmites
polysaccharides
phlorotannins
Pelargonium
Piper retrofractum
Quebracho
Rhabdosia rubescens
ravinsara
Shikonin
Sanguisorba
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Simaruba
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Smoketree
Tannins
Terpinen-4-ol
Thuja
Trametes
Thiosulfinate
Tylophorine
Verbascoside
Viscum coloratum
Xanthorrhizol
Xanthoparmelia
Zingerone
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)
Products containing ginger
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Pure Encapsulations
AI Formula
Metagenics
CandiBactin BR
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CandiBactin-BR
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Echinacea Synergy
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