Ginger has been used as a medicine in China for more than 2500 years and is widely used in Indian and Japanese medicine too. Ginger is used as a spice made from the rhizome (underground stem) and the plant is native to Asia. Ginger has been found to have beneficial effects on vomiting, nausea, motion sickness, headache (migraines) and post-menopausal symptoms.

Mood changes. Ginger decreases the production of prostaglandins in the body, very similar to Ibuprofen (NSAIDs). Prostaglandins are molecules in the body formed and released whenever there is inflammation in the body. They are also responsible for various conditions of menopause including mood changes. Ginger, by decreasing prostaglandins, will decrease mood swings. Besides, ginger also contains phytoestrogen (estrogen hormone-like molecules derived from plants) which substitute for estrogen deficiency during menopause.

Bloating (fullness in the abdomen) can have multiple causes, of which one is an excess of Prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins decrease the rate at which food moves from your stomach to the intestine for digestion. Ginger supplements help by decreasing the level of prostaglandins in the body. Food from the stomach gets to the intestine faster when the prostaglandin level in the body decreases. As the food moves from the stomach to your intestine at a normal (or slightly faster) rate bloating sensation will gradually improve.

Ginger can increase the risk of bruising and/or bleeding when taken with blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, heparin). Ginger can also increase the side effects of losartan (anti-hypertensive) and can cause hypotension. Ginger might also decrease blood sugar levels and this effect is further increased when taken with anti-diabetic medicines. Blood sugar levels should be monitored carefully.

Ginger is usually a safe medicine when taken by mouth and when applied to the skin. Abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, throat irritation can occur when ginger is taken in larger doses.

Mixed - mixed results, limited studies conducted.

Ayurveda. Ginger (Adarakha, kulekhara) is one of the most commonly used rhizomes with medicinal value in Ayurveda. Ginger Tea (Ginger crush diluted in hot water) two times a day has been described as an effective measure to reduce mood swings in Ayurveda. Ayurveda suggests a teaspoon of ginger juice in the morning can effectively reduce bloating in postmenopausal women.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ginger is often referred to as the "spice of life" and has been used for centuries in TCM. Most of the herbal formulas in Chinese medicine use ginger as an important constituent. For treatment of mood disorders, ginger is boiled or heated along with other herbal plants like pinelia tuber, magnolia bark, etc, and a concentrated solution is prepared and taken. A cup of ginger tea once or twice a day is a simple treatment for bloating in traditional Chinese medicine. Adding a slice of ginger to your meal is also a method to prevent or treat bloating.

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