Does ginger root supplement have any adverse side effects? (ie: drowsy, dry mouth...)?

Question

I took one ginger root capsule to hopefully help w/ nausea.

Answer 1

Ginger root is in ginger bread cookies, in oriental or asian foods and is a very common food.

It's food, its good for you, and like all root plant foods we eat... They are not herbs, even though all plants have healing properties in them.

Ginger root is a common food and instead of a capsule to help with nausea.  If you can get a hold of a fresh ginger root at your local grocery store, I recommend you grate it onto a salad fresh with a nice vinnegrette dressing and sesami oil.  

In this manner, you are getting it fresh and it works better that way.

Otherwise, in supplement form, you cannot be guaranteed you are getting what you are paying for.  Over 90% of supplements tested have very little or no biological activity in them whatsoever, so if the capsule doesn't work for you, then it may have lost its efficacy through processing.

If you got it from a source that uses flash freeze dried ginger root and its from a fresh source, then it should help to a degree.

I like to buy dried ginger root at Trader Joe's out where I live as its like dried apricots but the consistancy of the sliced roots are a little crunchy with crystalized sugars from the root, itself.  It is a natural candy, and it too, helps with nausea as an added benefit.

When I eat Japanese Sushi, they always add a pile of ginger root sliced thinly that has been fermenting in rice vinegar and water to tone down the spice.  It is used to clear the pallet when eating different kinds of fish, but is also very tasty.  The side benefit is the same because it is ginger root.

You can also buy it from your local Mcormmick Spice rack at your local grocery store to make ginger bread cookies.  The label says "Ginger" and it is a yellow powder form.

It's very common.  

Don't worry about it harming you.  

Its just food.

Your capsules may or may not work depending on the processing of the ginger.

Answer 2

The most common adverse reactions are stomach upset or heartburn, and these are rare.  

Very rare side effects are mood changes, unusual drowsiness, and irregular pulse.  If any of these occur it may indicate a sensitivity, and use should be suspended.

It is EXTREMELY unlikely that any such reaction would be the result of one capsule, however.

Answer 3

I don't know about the capsules, but I know that crystalized ginger has no side effects.