Evidence supporting the use of: Ginger
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has a longstanding history in traditional medicine for treating a variety of ailments, including infections. However, in the context of being used as an alternative to antibiotics or as a support for antibiotic treatment, ginger's application is primarily supported by emerging scientific evidence, though this evidence is still limited and largely preclinical.
Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that ginger extracts and its active compounds—such as gingerol and shogaol—possess antibacterial activity against a range of pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella species. These studies suggest that ginger can inhibit bacterial growth by disrupting cell membranes and interfering with bacterial communication systems (quorum sensing). Additionally, ginger has shown some synergistic effects when used with certain antibiotics, potentially enhancing their efficacy and helping to combat antibiotic resistance.
Despite these promising findings, clinical evidence in humans is scarce. Most studies are laboratory-based, and there is a lack of robust clinical trials to confirm efficacy, optimal dosing, or safety when used as an antibiotic alternative. Thus, while ginger has a plausible scientific basis for antimicrobial effects, its use as a substitute for antibiotics is not currently supported by high-quality human data. It may be more appropriate as a complementary strategy rather than a replacement for conventional antibiotics, pending further research.
Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid2'-Fucosyllactose
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Acemannan
Ajoene
Alantolactone
Alchornea
Algae
Algal protein
Allicin
Alliin
Allyl sulfide
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Asteraceae
astragalus
aucubin
azelaic acid
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
benzyl isothiocyanate
berberine
betulinic acid
Bidens pilosa
black cumin
black walnut
Blue-Green Alage
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Brazilian peppertree
Brevibacillus laterosporus
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
Calotropis gigantea
capric acid
caprylic acid
carvacrol
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
chalcone
Chinese raisintree
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamic acid
citral
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut oil
colostrum
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
Embelia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eugenol
European Elder
flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
gallic acid
garlic
garlic bulb
geranium
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
golden shower tree
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
Guava
heal-all
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
honey
honeysuckle
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Kefir
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lantana camara
lauric acid
Lauric arginate
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptospermum scoparium
lichen
Litsea
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Mastic gum
melaleuca alternifolia
Monolaurin
Morinda
Mushroom
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Neem tree
Nigella seed
Nimbidin
Nisin
Oleuropein
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
oyster mushroom
paederia foetida
Paenibacillus polymyxa
pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
pau d'arco
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
phlorotannins
Phycocyanin
Physalis angulata
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Platycodon
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pleurotus eryngii
polylysine
polysaccharides
Premna
Propolis
red alder
red root
rhizome
Rhus coriaria
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
sage
saponins
Sarcandra glabra
Self-Heal
Sesbania
shiitake mushroom
Sicklepod
Simaruba
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Streptomyces fradiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Annie
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tannins
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Trametes
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
vitamin C
Wasabi
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by ginger
Abdominal PainAcid 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
