Evidence supporting the use of: Ginger
For the health condition: Epstein Barr Virus

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has a long-standing history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is valued for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-supportive properties. However, its use specifically for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection is not well-documented in these traditional texts or folk practices. In modern herbal circles, ginger may be recommended as a general support for viral illnesses due to its purported ability to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, both of which are relevant to EBV infection, especially during the symptomatic phase (such as infectious mononucleosis).

From a scientific perspective, ginger contains bioactive compounds like gingerols and shogaols, which exhibit antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. Limited studies suggest ginger may have activity against certain viruses, including herpes simplex virus, but there are no direct clinical studies or robust preclinical data specifically supporting its efficacy against EBV. Most recommendations for ginger in EBV are extrapolated from its general immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects rather than direct antiviral action. Its value is often as an adjunct to help manage symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, and inflammation, rather than as a primary antiviral treatment.

In summary, ginger's use for EBV is rooted more in tradition and general health support than in targeted scientific evidence. The overall evidence for its effectiveness in treating or supporting EBV infection is weak, and it should not be considered a primary therapy.

More about ginger
More about Epstein Barr Virus

Other health conditions supported by ginger

Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athlete's Foot
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Bunions
Bursitis
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
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)
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Ménière’s Disease
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 (deficient)
Perspiration (excessive)
Pertussis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
Pneumonia
Poisoning (food)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Protein Digestion (poor)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sweat Baths (herbs for)
Abscesses
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease

Products containing ginger

Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas Formula (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas TCM
Nature's Sunshine Artemisia Combination
Nature's Sunshine Bronchial Formula (Ayurvedic)
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Breathe Activator TCM (formerly Breathe E-Z)
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine CLT-X
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Enviro-Detox
Nature's Sunshine FCS II (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Female Comfort
Nature's Sunshine Gall Bladder Formula
Nature's Sunshine GC-X
Nature's Sunshine Gentle Move
Nature's Sunshine Ginger
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine Hi Lipase
Nature's Sunshine JP-X
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lactase Plus
Nature's Sunshine LB Extract
Nature's Sunshine Lower Bowel Stimulator (Formerly LBS II)
Nature's Sunshine LBS II
Nature's Sunshine Liquid Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance TCM
Nature's Sunshine MetaboMax Free
Nature's Sunshine MetaboMax Plus
Nature's Sunshine Mineral-Chi Tonic (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Nerve Eight
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine P-X
Nature's Sunshine Para-Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Proactazyme®
Nature's Sunshine PS II
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System
Nature's Sunshine Senna Combination
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Stomach Comfort (Chewable)
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief TCM
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse