Evidence supporting the use of: Ginger
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and various folk remedies, for the management of respiratory ailments including lung congestion. Traditionally, ginger has been employed as an expectorant and to relieve symptoms associated with colds, coughs, and bronchitis. The warm, pungent nature of ginger is believed to help "break up" mucus and promote its expulsion from the lungs, thereby alleviating congestion and facilitating easier breathing.
Modern scientific studies provide some support for ginger’s potential role in respiratory health, though the evidence is limited and not definitive. Laboratory and animal research has demonstrated that ginger contains bioactive compounds (such as gingerols and shogaols) with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mild bronchodilatory effects. These properties may help reduce airway inflammation and relax smooth muscles in the respiratory tract, which could theoretically ease congestion. A small number of human studies and clinical trials have explored ginger's effects on respiratory symptoms, but most focus on its anti-inflammatory or antiemetic actions rather than direct decongestant effects.
In summary, while ginger’s use for lung congestion is primarily rooted in tradition, there is some emerging, albeit moderate, scientific evidence supporting its potential benefits. However, larger and more rigorous clinical studies are needed to fully validate its efficacy for this specific condition.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)
Abies spectabilisAconite
Adenophora
Agastache
Alantolactone
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Amor seco
andrographolide
Angelica
anise
Ardisia
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bisabolene
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Bombax
boneset
borage
borneol
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
cowherb
culvers Root
curcumen
curry leaf
diterpenes
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
forsythia
frankincense
fritillaria
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
ginger
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Gnaphalium
grape
green tea
Guaco
Heartsease
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Isatis
Ivy
jungli-bean
juniper berries
Khella
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Ledebouriella
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
limonene
Litsea
Lomatium
long pepper
lovage
lungwort
malabar nut
mallow
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Methylxanthine
Monoterpenes
Mountain Pepper
Mucolase
Mugwort
Mullein
Mustard
mustard seed
Neoandrographolides
Nutmeg
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Osha
Paris polyphylla
Pepper
perilla
Peucedanum
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Pinellia ternata
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
platycodon root
Pluchea
Polygonum
pomegranate
prepared aconite tuber
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Rubiaceae
Sagebrush
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
scrophularia root
Servicetree
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
siler root
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
Sophora
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
squawvine
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Terpinolene
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yellow root
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zingiberene
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
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 (Best by 2/28/2026)
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
