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Ginger tea benefits are mostly borrowed from research on ginger itself: the most consistent finding is that ginger may ease nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, while results for motion sickness, surgery and chemotherapy are mixed. Most of those trials gave ginger in capsules, not as a brewed drink, so nobody knows exactly how much a cup of ginger tea delivers. Here is what the studies tested, how fresh and dried ginger differ, the side effects and interactions worth knowing, and when to call a clinician instead of putting the kettle on.
Peptide Labs does not sell ginger tea; we sell a few capsule products whose labels list ginger root extract, described below with label facts only. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Ginger tea is an infusion of the root (rhizome) of Zingiber officinale, a plant the FDA lists as a GRAS spice.
- The strongest research signal is for nausea in pregnancy, and even there the evidence is rated low quality.
- Most studies tested ginger capsules, so the effect of a home-brewed cup is uncertain.
- Heartburn, stomach upset and mouth irritation are the common side effects.
- Ask a clinician first if you take blood thinners or diabetes medicines, have gallstones, or are pregnant.
What is ginger tea?
Ginger tea is hot water steeped with fresh sliced or grated ginger, dried ginger, or a tea bag made from dried root. Pure ginger tea is an herbal tea, so it contains no caffeine unless it is blended with black tea or other caffeinated leaves; check the ingredient list on boxed blends. Ginger lemon tea simply adds lemon juice or dried lemon peel for flavor, and many blends add honey, turmeric or cinnamon as well. For the plant itself, see our full ginger guide.
Fresh vs dried ginger
The sharp bite of ginger comes from compounds called gingerols. A 2015 review in Phytochemistry explains that gingerols are sensitive to heat and, when ginger is dried or heated, convert into related compounds called shogaols, which give dried ginger its stronger pungency. A tea made from fresh root and one made from dried powder therefore have different chemical profiles, and steeping time changes the result too. No study we checked measured what a typical home-brewed cup contains.
Ginger tea benefits: what the research shows
The table below summarizes the main human research on ginger and nausea, along with what the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) concludes. These are research summaries about ginger in general, not proof that ginger tea works for any condition. Persistent nausea or vomiting needs a clinician’s assessment.
| Situation studied | What the research found | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea in pregnancy | A 2014 review of 12 trials (1,278 women) found less nausea than placebo; vomiting did not fall significantly | Low-quality evidence; a 2015 Cochrane review called it limited and not consistent |
| After surgery | A 2006 review of 5 trials (363 patients) found fewer cases of nausea and vomiting in the first 24 hours | Small number of trials, capsule form |
| Chemotherapy | One large trial found less day-one nausea when ginger was added to standard antinausea drugs; another found no added benefit | Conflicting trials; NCCIH calls it uncertain |
| Motion sickness | Most studies have not shown ginger to help, per NCCIH | Mixed older studies |
| Menstrual cramps | NCCIH says ginger might reduce severity | Few, small trials |
Two cautions apply to every row. First, the participants mostly took measured ginger powder or extract in capsules, which is not the same as an infusion of unknown strength. Second, several of these trials were small, and reviews rated the overall evidence as low quality. So is ginger tea good for you? As a caffeine-free warm drink it is a reasonable choice for most healthy adults, but claims that it reliably settles a stomach, burns calories or boosts immunity go well beyond the evidence.
Pregnancy nausea
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) lists ginger, including tea made from fresh-grated ginger, among simple options that may help settle the stomach in morning sickness. ACOG also says to call an ob-gyn if you cannot keep liquids down, have only a small amount of dark urine, feel dizzy or faint when standing, or notice a racing heartbeat, since severe vomiting in pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum) needs medical care. Talk to your prenatal provider before using ginger regularly.
Nausea from GLP-1 medicines
Ginger tea is often suggested online for nausea from semaglutide or tirzepatide. Searches of PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov found no trial of ginger for nausea caused by GLP-1 medicines, so there is no evidence either way. If nausea is ongoing, tell the prescriber; our guide to Ozempic nausea covers what the drug labels say.
Ginger tea side effects and interactions
Ginger is a common food, and NCCIH lists the usual ginger tea side effects as abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and irritation of the mouth or throat. Strong brews are more likely to cause these. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) adds several cautions that matter more for concentrated forms but are worth knowing with any regular habit:
- Blood thinners: MSKCC reports case reports of nosebleeds, slowed clotting and one fatal bleed in an older man on dabigatran; a systematic review found the evidence inconclusive. Ask your clinician if you take warfarin, other anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.
- Diabetes medicines: ginger may add to the glucose-lowering effect of insulin and similar drugs, per MSKCC.
- Gallstones and bleeding disorders: MSKCC advises avoiding ginger supplements because ginger may increase bile flow and affect clotting.
- Surgery: MSKCC advises stopping ginger supplements two weeks before surgery; tell your surgical team about any herbal products, teas included.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NCCIH says ginger supplements may be safe in pregnancy but to consult a provider; MSKCC advises avoiding supplements because of limited data.
If you already use other herbs with similar cautions, such as turmeric, the effects may add up. Our guide to turmeric and black pepper covers that combination, and our peppermint guide and chamomile tea guide cover two other popular herbal teas.
Ginger tea vs ginger capsules
Tea and capsules are not interchangeable. A capsule label states a measured amount of ginger powder or extract, sometimes standardized to a percentage of gingerols, while a brewed tea varies with the root, the grind, the water temperature and the steeping time. That is why the research summarized above cannot be translated into a number of cups. Supplements are not approved by the FDA before they are sold, so look for an independent testing seal; our guide to third-party tested supplements explains them.
Two capsule products we carry list ginger root extract as one ingredient among many. NUVAIOBTY GLP-1 Supplement lists ginger root extract standardized to 5% gingerols alongside hops, green tea leaf extract, cinnamon, licorice root and B vitamins; it is a dietary supplement, not a GLP-1 medication. Sandhu’s Liver Cleanse & Detox lists ginger root extract with milk thistle, dandelion root and berberine, and its label says pregnant or nursing women, anyone under 18 and people with a medical condition should consult a physician first. Neither is a way to study ginger alone. For another spice tea, see our cinnamon tea guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ginger tea benefits?
Research on ginger suggests it may ease nausea in pregnancy, with mixed results after surgery and during chemotherapy. Most trials used capsules, so the effect of tea is less certain.
Is ginger tea good for you?
For most healthy adults it is a caffeine-free drink with a long history of use. It is not a substitute for medical care, and some people should check with a clinician first.
What are common ginger tea side effects?
Heartburn, stomach discomfort, diarrhea and mouth or throat irritation, especially with strong brews.
Does ginger tea have caffeine?
Pure ginger tea does not. Blends that include black tea or other caffeinated leaves do, so read the ingredient list.
Can I drink ginger tea while pregnant?
ACOG lists ginger tea among options for morning sickness. Ask your prenatal provider, and call right away if you cannot keep liquids down.
Does ginger tea interact with medications?
Ginger may add to the effects of blood thinners and diabetes medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you take either.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before using any herbal product regularly, especially if you take medicines or are pregnant. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Ginger for Nausea: What Studies Show, Other Benefits and Side Effects, Turmeric Tea: Benefits, Research, Golden Milk and Safety, Peppermint Tea Benefits, Peppermint Oil for IBS and Menthol Safety.