You may already have a powerful migraine tool on hand that you don’t even know about and it’s as close as your spice cabinet. For centuries, ginger has been used in traditional medicine for a number of ailments, from nausea and vomiting to arthritis and muscular aches. Essentially, it’s a mini-pharmacy of its own wrapped up in a funny-looking root. But is it an effective migraine treatment?
Although the research supporting its use to treat migraine isn’t as robust as the flavor of this spicy root itself, it could definitely have its place in your migraine toolkit, especially if you experience nausea.
Ginger root has strong anti-inflammatory properties, settles the stomach, helps with nausea, and aids with digestion. Some people who experience migraine attacks swear by ginger — which can be used fresh, dried or powdered, or as a juice or an oil — as a must-have in their pantry (and medicine cabinet).
Click to expand transcript
Below we explore simple ways to start using ginger for migraine relief, but first, let's look at what research and the community have to say about this common medicinal root.
What the Research Says About Benefits of Ginger
Can ginger help migraines? Despite the promising buzz, clinical evidence linking ginger to migraine relief is slim.
The most recent study, conducted in late 2021 by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore, India, showed that ginger root may relieve migraine-related pain, nausea, and vomiting; however, the data doesn’t support its use as a first-line therapy for acute migraine or migraine prevention.
In two of the randomized controlled trials within the study examining the efficacy of ginger vs. placebo, dry ginger extract (400 milligrams (mg)) reduced mean pain scores at two hoursand also increased the number of patients who reported being pain-free after two hours. Even more encouraging, ginger cut the migraine-related nausea and vomiting by halfand was not associated with any adverse side effects.
According to the study author, ginger is made up of several chemical constituents, including gingerol, the main bioactive compound responsible for much of ginger’s medicinal properties. It also contains other antioxidant compounds, plus terpenes, lipids, and oils. Without further trials, it’s unclear which of these constituents, whether working separately or as a combination, can help relieve migraine.
Other Benefits of Ginger
Prior to this study, a few other small studies suggested that ginger can be helpful in managing migraine. In one 2013 study of 100 patients, researchers found that taking a half teaspoon of ginger in a little warm water at the onset of a migraine attack can be "statistically comparable to sumatriptan," a commonly prescribed migraine abortive.
Skeptical? The good news is that ginger has far fewer side effects than sumatriptan, so it can’t hurt to try it to see if it does anything for you. And it’s a lot less expensive than other things we’ve all no doubt tried.
But even if a spoonful of the spice doesn’t exactly take your migraine away, it does have other benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as vasculoprotective effects. It also lowers prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals in the body that can lead to pain and inflammation. (Think menstrual pain, headache, body aches.)
Ginger has also been studied as a pain reliever in those with arthritis and muscle tension, which is also a notable migraine symptom.
Questions and Answers About Ginger for Migraine
Is ginger root good for migraines?
How do you use ginger root for migraines?
How long does it take ginger to help a migraine?
Ginger Combined With Other Treatments
Ginger may be more useful as a complementary treatment rather than a replacement for more standard migraine treatments.
A 2018 study found that when ginger was added to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as treatment for migraine attacks, patients fared significantly better in pain reduction and returned to a level of functionality quicker than if treated with an NSAID alone.
The same authors conducted a subsequent placebo-controlled trial, and they found that ginger was no better for migraine relief than placebo.
That's a bit of a buzzkill, but you can't argue with science.
A Ginger Success Story
The National Headache Foundation (NHF) reports an anecdote of a Danish woman who took 500 to 600 mg of powdered ginger in water at the first sign of a migraine and received relief within 30 minutes. After a few days, the woman switched to eating the raw form to treat her migraines and reported fewer attacks, and the ones she did have were of lesser intensity. The NHF notes that ginger's antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties could be the basis for why the herb proved effective for her but acknowledges that the evidence is just not there. It’s clear that more double-blind experiments with control and placebo groups need to be conducted before we can know for sure.
Ginger for Migraine Nausea
Although there isn't ample research proving that ginger relieves migraine pain, this herb can be a safe home remedy for one of the most insidious migraine symptoms: nausea.
Ginger alone has no adverse side effects, unlike some of the pharmaceutical options for nausea relief, like ondansetron (Zofran) or prochlorperazine (Compazine). Headache specialists often encourage patients — especially pregnant women or people who cannot take prescription meds — to use ginger alongside their other treatments if they find that it helps. Of course, check with your doctor first to make sure ginger won’t interfere with other medications.
"I'm a proponent of anything that is not a medication that can be added onto medication treatments or nonoral treatments for pain as well as for nausea and vomiting," says Amaal Starling, MD, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "Ginger can be helpful. Some patients have used [vitamin] B6, which can be helpful as well for nausea. Other patients have used Sea-Bands that activate acupressure points."
A number of studies show the benefits of ginger in stopping nausea and vomiting. One trial found that ginger lessened chemotherapy-induced nausea and decreased cancer-related fatigue. Still, if your migraine attacks include severe vomiting, you might need something stronger than ginger.
"Natural therapies, like ginger, are suggested as an approach for mild nausea. But if you're to the point of vomiting, a prescription approach is typically required to gain effective control over nausea and vomiting," says Andrew Charles, MD, director of the UCLA Goldberg Migraine Program and professor of neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine.
What the Community Says About Ginger for Migraine
Ginger for migraine is by no means a cure or a silver bullet, but there are a handful of anecdotes to support its place in your medicine cabinet. Here's what some members of our community shared about their experiences with ginger and how they like to use it:
Ginger Works Like a Charm for Milder Attacks
I have found taking ginger to be very helpful to me when I have migraines. It will not totally get rid of a bad migraine, but it will ease the pain for me. So I still use my Imitrex, but I use ginger, as well. — Kimberly
I've tried it, and it sometimes works and keeps me from taking medicine. The way my neurologist put it is that it isn't going to work on the really bad migraine attacks, but it is often effective for mild attacks. — Sharon l.
I'm drinking a lot of Twining's ginger and lemon tea with honey these days; it helps. — Melisa B.
I gave it a try after 14 days straight of attacks, and fear of sumatriptan overuse and side effects. I am already on Aimovig, which wasn't helping. However, after 20 years of looking for some relief, the ginger is working like a magic pill for me. I've quelled seven attacks with only ginger, and so grateful that it is helping in acute situations. — Laura
Ginger Settles the Stomach
It helps to overcome nausea. — Tehzeeba J.
It doesn't hurt to try, especially when you've become immune to most of the OTC meds. — Kourtney S.
I take organic ginger capsules when I first get a migraine with my meds and it has really been helping with my nausea! — Alanna K.
Skepticism for Ginger
Migraine is a neurological disorder. Ginger may help with an upset stomach, but it is not as effective as Imitrex. — Donna
I find it hard to believe it's as effective as Imitrex. Ginger is as effective as Advil, Tylenol, a cold compress, or a lollipop. — Allison R.
How to Use Ginger for Migraine Relief
Be sure to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before adding anything new — even ginger — especially if you are pregnant. If you want to give this natural and complementary treatment a try, here are some of the best ways to use ginger for migraine relief:
Apply
Essential Oils
If your migraine attacks come with an upset stomach, digestive issues, or nausea, try using ginger essential oil. Rub a few drops along your inner wrists, where the pressure points to your stomach channel are and along the stomach where the discomfort is felt.
There are essential oil blends combined specifically to aid for digestion, or you can try mixing a few different essential oils with the ginger oil. Other oils that settle the stomach, promote healthy digestion, and help with migraine symptoms include fennel, coriander, and peppermint.
Never apply essential oils to your skin directly. It's important to dilute them with a carrier oil like coconut oil or avocado oil. Test a patch on your skin first to make sure you don't have a reaction. Because essential oils are not regulated, make sure to only use them topically — don't ingest them.
An Ayurvedic Mask
Ayurvedic medicine, the healing modality for balancing mind, body, and spirit, suggests creating a strategically placed face mask with ginger powder to treat a migraine attack.
The mask is simple to make and calming to use: Add warm water to organic ginger powder, make it into a paste, and dab it lightly along your forehead and temples. Rest in a quiet, dark room or somewhere calming.
Eat
Ginger Chews and Candies
For something fast and easy to keep in your purse, car, or desk drawer, try ginger candies. Made from all-natural ginger and put into delicious candy form, these are the perfect thing to pop into your mouth to settle your stomach or when you feel a migraine attack beginning. Plus, they are safe to use for relief while pregnant.
Slice It
Slice fresh ginger root and eat it. You can also just rub the juices on your wrists and temples.
Supplements
If you don't like the taste of ginger, you can find ginger supplements at your local health food store, grocery store, or wherever you buy your vitamins and supplements. But again, do check with your doctor to see if ginger might have any interactions with other medications you're taking.
Drink
Incorporate fresh ginger root into your diet and routine. Here are some simple ways to use the real thing:
Whip Up a Smoothie
Have fun experimenting with ingredients that you like. For a good combo to start with, try tossing spinach, kale, pineapple, pear, coconut water (which is super hydrating), and an inch of shaved ginger into the blender. Don't be afraid to leave the skin on. Not only is ginger peel edible, but it also contains twice the nutritional benefits as the flesh.
Or, try this Potent Migraine Shakefor migraine relief.
Juice It
If the texture of the blended ginger bothers you, consider making a juice with the same ingredients above; the only difference is the juicer will strain out all the pulpy contents.
Brew It
Ginger tea is readily found in the tea aisle in any grocery store. Don't have any on hand? Make your own super soothing ginger tea with a spicy kick: Shave and chop 1 to 2inches of fresh ginger. Boil the ginger in several cups of water for 15 to20 minutes. Strain the tea with a strainer and drink the elixir.
Make Your Own Ginger Ale
Ginger ale is an iconic stomach settler, but the store-bought kind can be loaded with sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors. Plus, it actuallycontains only a tiny amount of real ginger. One of the most popular brands contains less than 2% ginger extract and has been sued in the past for false claims about its “real ginger” content. Another super-popular brand won’t even disclose itsginger content.
It’s surprisingly simple to make your own, allowing you to put in as much ginger as you want without any chemicals you can’t pronounce and way less sugar.
Of course, no one feels like making anything while in the throes of an attack, but make this healthier version on a good day to have on hand the next time nausea punches you in the gut.
The simplest recipes use five ingredients: water, fresh ginger, a little sweetener (unrefined is best), club soda, and lemon or lime juice. This Fresh Ginger Ale recipe allows you to modify your type of sweetener to tailor your needs and even add different flavors for a new twist.
Final Thoughts on Ginger
Is ginger a cure-all for migraine? No. Don't swap your sumatriptan for ginger root just yet, but definitely consider adding it to your toolkit, especially if you frequently deal with nausea.
Ginger has few to no side effects, so if you're up for it, try it out on early-stage attacks to see if it helps you. Even if it's not a reliable migraine acute treatment, at the very least, it can help soothe the nausea that often accompanies migraine attacks.
Be sure to let your doctor know that you're using ginger. It may interact with other meds, or your doctor may recommend quantity limits. If you find that your migraine symptoms like nausea are not wellcontrolled with ginger, talk to your doc about your other options.
Ginger is easy to use, inexpensive, and versatile with many different ways to incorporate it into your routine. The next time you feel the familiar rumblings of a migraine attack beginning, try this ancient spice along with your other pain-relieving tools. You might just find it the perfect natural complement to add to your arsenal for migraine relief.
Wendy Neri contributed to this article.
