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January 7, 2026
Marianne Waldenfels
Why ginger was named the medicinal plant of 2026: New recognized applications for joint pain & colds. All information on effects, dosage & quality.
The spicy tuber from Asia has made it: Ginger has been named Medicinal Plant of the Year 2026. The Study Group for the Development History of Medicinal Plant Science and the Society for Phytotherapy have awarded this accolade – and not without reason. The reassessment of its health-promoting effects by the European Medicines Agency and its millennia-old tradition as a remedy make ginger one of the most fascinating natural remedies of our time.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial plant from the ginger family. The plant itself can grow over a meter tall and has long, reed-like leaves. However, of particular interest to health is the underground rhizome – the knobby root that we colloquially refer to as ginger. This branched rhizome grows horizontally in the ground and is yellowish on the inside with an intensely aromatic scent.
The original wild form of ginger is unknown today. For centuries, the plant has been cultivated in South Asia and has spread from there to the entire world. Today, the largest producers are India, Nigeria, and China, with the global annual production at an impressive five million tons. Interestingly, cultivation is also becoming established in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in recent times.
The health effects of ginger are based on a complex interplay of various ingredients. The characteristic burning-spicy taste comes from gingerol, the most important active ingredient of the tuber. This substance is not only responsible for the taste but is also considered particularly valuable medically.
Furthermore, ginger contains:
Particularly interesting: The composition and concentration of these ingredients varies significantly depending on the origin of the ginger. Nigerian ginger, for example, is characterized by an above-average gingerol content and thus by special spiciness. Indian ginger, on the other hand, contains a lot of limonene and impresses with a pronounced citrus aroma. Jamaican ginger as well as Australian and Bengali ginger are considered to be of particularly high quality.
The European Medicines Agency fundamentally updated its assessment of ginger in 2025 and included three new areas of application. This scientific reassessment was crucial for the selection as the medicinal plant of 2026.
The preventive use against motion sickness with nausea and vomiting is recognized as an established application. Studies show that ginger is superior to placebo and achieves the effectiveness of other medications against motion sickness. The antiemetic (nausea-inhibiting) effect is presumably due to a direct effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, an interaction with serotonin receptors is discussed.
Ginger also shows moderate effects against postoperative nausea and vomiting. Many sailors swear by the root's effectiveness against seasickness, and a study with Danish naval cadets confirmed that ginger could significantly reduce the incidence of vomiting at sea.
Traditionally, ginger is used to treat mild, cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints associated with bloating. Its digestive and stomach-strengthening effects have been known since ancient times and are now supported by scientific evidence.
In 2025, three new areas of application were included in the evaluation:
Studies suggest that ginger has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect the body's cells from free radicals, which can accelerate aging processes and promote inflammation. This property makes ginger a valuable component of a health-conscious diet.
As early as antiquity, the plant was used for stomach, intestinal, and respiratory ailments. The Greek physician Dioscorides described the drug around 70 AD as warming, digestive, and stomach-strengthening. Galen, one of the most important doctors of antiquity, also classified ginger as a warming medicine, whose effect started more slowly than that of pepper but lasted longer.
In the Middle Ages, ginger played an important role in monastic medicine. The Lorsch Pharmacopoeia from the year 800 contained ginger in about 10 percent of the nearly 500 recipes – for stomach and intestinal ailments, diseases of the liver, spleen, and kidneys, as well as intermittent fever.
Particularly noteworthy is the differentiated view of Hildegard of Bingen in the 12th century. She already recognized that ginger is not equally suitable for everyone - an insight that was far ahead of her time and still holds true today.
In TCM, ginger is valued as a warming remedy that is supposed to promote energy flow in the body and help with so-called "inner cold." It is considered a Yang tonic and is used to strengthen digestive power.
Ayurvedic medicine has valued ginger for centuries, especially for strengthening the digestive fire (Agni) and detoxifying the body. In India, it is considered a universal remedy and is used for numerous ailments.
Fresh ginger is available in most supermarkets. For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to use about 2 to 4 grams of fresh ginger daily. This corresponds to approximately a piece the size of a walnut. The ginger can be:
- Brewed as tea (pour hot water over a few slices)
- Eaten raw
- Blended into smoothies
- Used as a spice in dishes
Ginger powder and capsules are convenient alternatives to fresh ginger, especially on the go. However, there are significant quality differences. In a study of dietary supplements, gingerol content ranged from 0.0 to 9.43 milligrams per gram. Therefore, when purchasing, one should look for high-quality products and pay attention to quality seals such as organic certifications or pharmaceutical quality.
Ginger shots have become particularly popular in recent years. They contain concentrated ginger juice, often combined with lemon and honey, and are supposed to boost the immune system. They can be easily made at home by juicing fresh ginger and mixing it with lemon juice and some honey.
Although ginger is considered very safe, it can cause side effects in some people. The European Medicines Agency lists stomach upset, burping, heartburn, and nausea as possible side effects.
Doctors and nutritionists recommend limiting daily consumption to a maximum of two to four grams. This amount is considered safe and sufficient to achieve health-promoting effects.
Scientific research on ginger is far from complete. Current studies are investigating further potential applications:
A focus of current work is to evaluate ginger not only as an acute remedy for nausea but also as long-term support for chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. Of particular interest is how standardized extracts - as opposed to fresh ginger - affect parameters such as inflammatory markers, blood sugar, and blood fats.
Research groups are also examining whether ginger can be combined with other medicinal plants like turmeric to exploit potential synergistic effects. Initial experimental data suggest that such combinations could enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but there are no conclusive clinical recommendations yet.
An important aspect emphasized by the study group on the developmental history of medicinal plants is the quality of ginger products. The enormous fluctuations in gingerol content in dietary supplements show how important it is to pay attention to quality.
Fresh ginger keeps in the fridge for about three weeks. It can also be frozen and grated frozen when needed – this is particularly practical for tea.
With organic ginger, the peel can be used as it contains many valuable nutrients. Conventional ginger should be peeled due to possible pesticide residues.
Classic ginger tea: Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 3-4 thin slices of fresh ginger and let it steep for 10 minutes. Refine with honey and lemon to taste.
Golden milk: A traditional Ayurvedic drink with ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and plant milk – especially soothing in the evening.
Ginger shot: Mix 50 g of fresh ginger, juice of 2 lemons, 1 tsp of honey. Makes about 3-4 shots for the week.
The designation as Medicinal Plant of the Year 2026 honors the exceptional health properties of ginger and its millennia-old tradition as a remedy. The scientific re-evaluation by the European Medicines Agency underscores that ginger is more than a kitchen spice – it is a valuable natural remedy with diverse applications.
From alleviating travel sickness to supporting digestion, relieving cold symptoms, and mild joint pain, ginger shows an impressive range of effects and is generally well tolerated. However, it is important to pay attention to quality, adhere to the correct dosage, and consult a doctor if you have existing illnesses or are taking medication. Then the spicy tuber from Asia can unfold its full health-promoting power and contribute to well-being.
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