Ginger: What It Is, How to Use It, and Which Form to Buy

What is ginger?

What shoppers call ginger root is, botanically, a rhizome: a fleshy stem that runs sideways under the soil. The plant comes from tropical Asia, and farms in South America, Africa and the Middle East now grow it as well (NCCIH). Turmeric is one of its relatives in the same botanical family (NCCIH).

Its place in home remedies goes back thousands of years, with indigestion, an unsettled stomach, colds and flu among the traditional targets (NCCIH). Modern supplement marketing leans on three other uses instead: nausea, period pain and achy joints.

Fresh vs dried ginger: how the flavor changes

Fresh ginger is rich in compounds called gingerols, which give it a clean, lemony bite. When ginger is dried or cooked, some of those gingerols lose a water molecule and become shogaols, a closely related family of compounds (Warren-Walker et al., Metabolites, 2025). That is one reason dried and powdered ginger taste different: warmer, rounder and more earthy, with less of the fresh juiciness.

In practice, fresh ginger shines in stir-fries, curries, marinades, dressings and fresh juices. Ground ginger is the baker's choice for gingerbread, cookies, spice cakes and spice rubs, where its warmth blends evenly. Dried sliced or cut ginger is mostly for tea and simmered broths.

Forms of ginger and when each makes sense

Ginger comes in more forms than almost any other herb. Here is how they compare.

A simple rule: if you want flavor, buy fresh or powder. If you want tea, buy dried sliced or cut root. If you want a measured amount for a specific purpose, capsules or an extract are easier to dose.

How to make ginger tea

From fresh root: thinly slice about an inch of unpeeled ginger. Simmer it in two cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. Longer simmering makes it spicier. Add lemon or honey if you like.

From dried root: use about 1 teaspoon of cut and sifted ginger, or a few dried slices, per cup. Because tough dried root gives up flavor slowly, simmer it for 10 minutes or steep it covered for at least that long. Dried ginger makes a warmer, earthier cup than fresh.

Ginger also blends well with lemon peel, peppermint, cinnamon and turmeric. For more on turmeric, see our turmeric guide.

Does ginger help with nausea? What the research says

Most nausea research has tested ginger in capsule form rather than as food. Here is how the evidence stacks up, drawing mainly on NCCIH:

• Pregnancy nausea: the best evidence of any use. Several trials point to ginger easing morning sickness and vomiting. Trials in early pregnancy commonly used about 1 gram of powdered ginger a day, often 250 mg four times a day, and found it worked about as well as vitamin B6 (American Family Physician, 2011, summarizing a Cochrane review).
• Chemotherapy nausea: unsettled. Results split between trials that saw extra relief beyond standard anti-nausea drugs and trials that saw none (NCCIH; Memorial Sloan Kettering).
• Nausea after surgery: the jury is still out (NCCIH).
• Motion sickness: the bulk of the trials came up empty (NCCIH).

Beyond nausea, small studies hint that ginger supplements could take the edge off period cramps and knee arthritis pain, but NCCIH rates much of that work as weak. Ginger is not a replacement for medical care. If nausea is severe or you can't keep fluids down, see a doctor.

Cautions: blood thinners, gallstones and pregnancy

Ginger in food is safe for most people. Supplement amounts call for more care. Taken by mouth in larger amounts, it can bring on heartburn, an upset stomach, loose stools or a burning feeling in the mouth and throat (NCCIH).

• Blood thinners and NSAIDs: ginger can make platelets less sticky. Because that could add to the bleeding risk of warfarin and similar drugs, Memorial Sloan Kettering recommends skipping ginger supplements if you take one. Studies disagree on how big the effect is, though bleeding has turned up in case reports.
• Surgery: pause ginger supplements two weeks ahead of an operation, per Memorial Sloan Kettering.
• Gallstones: ginger appears to stimulate bile, which is why Memorial Sloan Kettering suggests people with gallstones leave ginger supplements on the shelf.
• Diabetes medicines: ginger supplements might add to the effect of insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs (Memorial Sloan Kettering).
• Pregnancy: sources disagree. NCCIH says ginger supplements may be safe in pregnancy, while Memorial Sloan Kettering advises avoiding them because of animal data. Ask your prenatal provider before taking ginger supplements, and how much.

Find it at William's

We carry ginger in the forms most people reach for:

• Organic ginger root, sliced (Starwest, sold by weight): dried rounds for simmered tea, soups and broths.
• Organic ginger root, cut and sifted (Starwest, sold by weight): small pieces that measure easily for loose tea and blends.
• Organic ginger root powder (Starwest, bulk): for baking, golden milk and spice rubs. Buy a small amount and refill often so it stays fragrant.
• Nature's Way Ginger Root capsules (180 count): a steady, measured amount without the taste.
• Herb Pharm Ginger extract (1 oz): a liquid extract to add to water or tea by the dropper.

Ginger is a staple of South Indian cooking too. See our guide to Kerala spices, and our explainer on turmeric and black pepper if you blend ginger with turmeric.

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