Evidence supporting the use of: Ginger
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)
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 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda for the management of colds, especially those accompanied by fever. In these traditions, ginger is believed to have "warming" properties that help expel pathogens, promote sweating, and support recovery from febrile illnesses. Preparations often include ginger tea or decoctions, which are thought to alleviate symptoms like chills, sore throat, and congestion.
Scientific studies provide some support for ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and laboratory research demonstrates mild antiviral activities against several respiratory viruses. Ginger’s active compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols, may exert immune-modulating effects and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, robust clinical trials specifically assessing ginger’s efficacy for treating colds with fever are limited. Most available data are anecdotal or from small-scale studies, and current scientific guidelines do not endorse ginger as a primary treatment for colds or fever.
In summary, while ginger is traditionally used for colds with fever and there is some biological plausibility for its supportive role due to its anti-inflammatory and possibly antiviral effects, high-quality clinical evidence is lacking. Its use is primarily supported by tradition and centuries of empirical use rather than strong scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)
AcaciaAconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aster root
Asteraceae
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bermuda grass
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black nightshade
blackboard tree
blueberry
boxthorne
buckthorn
bur-reed
capillary artemisia
capsaicinoids
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
chrysophanics
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
clove
coconut milk
common madia
cowage seed
cowherb
dragonhead
Eclipta
elderberry
flavoglycosides
forsythia
fruit
gamma-terpinene
garlic bulb
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
grape
green chiretta
green tea
hemp
honey
Horsemint
hyacinth bean
Indian fagonia
indigo leaves
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Laggera pterodonta
lemon
Lewis's monkey flower
licorice root
Ligusticum
linalool
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mugwort
Mushroom
nut grass
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
Pansit-pansitan
Paris polyphylla
pear
Peucedanum
Phenylpropanoids
Piper nigrum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
Salvia
Scabrous Gentian
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Shogaol
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
Sweet Annie
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
vitamin D
Water Pepper
Winter Savory
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
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
