Ginger for Prevention or Treatment of Drug-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Purpose: In this review, potential benefits of oral ginger for prevention or management of drug- induced nausea and vomiting were evaluated based on the available evidences. Method: By searching medical resources including Scopus, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane central register of controlled trials and Cochrane database systematic reviews, available evidences were collected. Ginger, zingiber, nausea and vomiting were considered as keywords. Results and Conclusion: Various studies have evaluated effects of ginger in prevention and management of nausea and vomiting in different conditions such as pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-operation. Evidences regarding anti-emetic effect of ginger in prevention and treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting are limited and results are conflicting. More randomized clinical trials should be conducted to confirm efficacy of ginger in this regards. Ginger showed promising and attractive effects in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting at least as add-on therapy. The exact role of ginger as anti-emetic in prevention of post- operative nausea and vomiting can be elucidated by future randomized clinical trials.