The nausea hits hard, and someone suggests ginger tea. But then you've heard that ginger might be dangerous during pregnancy. What's actually true?

Short answer: Ginger in normal amounts (as a spice, tea, or capsules up to 1 gram per day) is considered safe during pregnancy and can help with nausea. But concentrated ginger shots and high-dose supplements should be avoided.

What Do Health Authorities Say About Ginger and Pregnancy?

Food safety authorities have issued clear advisories: Pregnant women should avoid ginger shots and high-dose ginger supplements.

The basis is a report from the Danish Technical University (DTU Food Institute), which showed that large amounts of ginger increased the risk of miscarriage in animal studies. However — and this is important — the warning specifically applies to high concentrations of ginger, like those found in shots and supplements. There's a big difference between a cup of ginger tea and a ginger shot.

Health advisory: "Pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant should avoid ginger shots and ginger supplements." The basis is animal studies showing increased risk of miscarriage at large doses.

Ginger Shots vs. Ginger Tea: A Big Difference

Why are shots a problem, but tea is fine? It comes down to concentration.

Ginger Shots

According to the DTU report, a single ginger shot can contain pressed juice from 1.7 to 23 grams of fresh ginger root. That's an enormous range, and in the worst case, very concentrated.

In animal studies, even the lowest dose showed increased incidence of miscarriage. When converted using standard safety factors for animal studies, the risk to human fetuses cannot be ruled out at amounts equivalent to a ginger shot.

Ginger Tea

A cup of ginger tea contains far less ginger than a shot. Food safety authorities state there is no basis for warning pregnant women against using small amounts of ginger as a spice or ingredient in cooking. Regarding ginger tea specifically, there is no reason to suspect that tea contains concentrations as high as shots, unless you make tea with a very high concentration of ginger.

Ginger as a Spice

Ginger in normal cooking is safe. Reports confirm that ginger can be used in "ordinary amounts" as a spice during pregnancy.

The difference in practice: A ginger shot can contain up to 23 grams of ginger. A cup of ginger tea made with a few slices of fresh ginger contains about 2–5 grams. Ginger in a dinner dish contains even less.

Ginger for Morning Sickness: What Do Treatment Guidelines Say?

Here's where it gets interesting. Despite warnings against shots and supplements, medical treatment guidelines actually recommend ginger as a remedy for morning sickness — in controlled doses.

Medical Assessment

Drug information services that provide independent medication information to healthcare professionals have conducted thorough evaluations and concluded:

Use of up to 1 gram of dried ginger root daily during pregnancy is in accordance with treatment guidelines
This dose is not considered to be associated with increased risk to the fetus
The doses used in animal studies were significantly higher than what is recommended for morning sickness
Ginger shots can contain amounts that far exceed the recommended dose

Clinical Guidance on Morning Sickness

Medical guidelines on morning sickness state:

"Ginger can be eaten fresh, drunk as tea, or taken as capsules. If you choose to use ginger capsules, the amount should not exceed 1 gram per day."

They also specify that ginger shots contain large amounts of ginger and are not recommended.

Summary of safe amounts: Up to 1 gram of dried ginger per day (equivalent to about 4 grams of fresh ginger) is considered safe according to medical treatment guidelines. This is the amount used in most clinical studies.

How to Use Ginger Safely for Nausea

Ginger Tea — How to Make It

A simple and safe way to use ginger for nausea:

Cut 3–4 thin slices of fresh ginger (about 2–3 grams)
Pour boiling water over them
Let steep for 5–10 minutes
Add honey and lemon if desired
Drink 1–2 cups per day

Tip: Start with a mild tea and gradually increase the strength. Some people find the taste strong, and it helps to drink it lukewarm instead of hot.

Ginger Capsules

If you prefer capsules, these are available at pharmacies. Standard dosing is:

250 mg dried ginger, 4 times daily
Total maximum 1 gram per day
Take capsules spread throughout the day for even effect

Talk to your midwife, doctor, or pharmacist before starting ginger capsules.

Fresh Ginger in Food

You can safely use fresh ginger in cooking — for example in:

Stir-fry dishes
Soups and stews
Smoothies (in moderate amounts, not as shots)
Baking (ginger cookies, bread)

Ginger Candy

Crystallized ginger or ginger candy can be a practical alternative. The amount of ginger per piece is usually low, but don't eat large quantities.

What You Should Avoid

Let's be clear about what should be avoided:

Avoid	Why
Ginger shots	Can contain up to 23 grams of ginger — far too concentrated
Ginger supplements	Can contain high doses, difficult to control the amount
Homemade concentrated ginger juices	Can easily become too strong
Large amounts of fresh ginger as a side dish	Limit the amount to be safe

How Effective Is Ginger Against Nausea?

Research shows that ginger can have a moderate effect against morning sickness. It's not a miracle cure, but for many pregnant women it provides noticeable relief.

Who Benefits Most from Ginger?

Ginger works best for pregnant women with mild to moderate nausea. According to medical guidelines, ginger is:

Suitable for mild morning sickness
Not recommended for severe nausea (hyperemesis gravidarum)
Not recommended for pregnant women who also suffer from heartburn (ginger can worsen it)

Combining with Other Measures

Ginger works best as part of a holistic approach. Guidelines recommend combining with:

Vitamin B6 — 25 mg three times daily
Acupressure bands (Sea-Band) — pressure on the P6 point on the wrist
Dietary advice — eat often, small portions, avoid an empty stomach
Rest — fatigue worsens nausea

Practical nausea-fighting tips: 1) Eat some dry bread or crackers BEFORE you get up in the morning. 2) Drink a cup of lukewarm ginger tea. 3) Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day — every 1–2 hours. 4) Avoid fatty and spicy foods.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Ginger and dietary advice are a good starting point for mild nausea. But contact your doctor if:

You're vomiting multiple times daily and can't keep food or drinks down
You're losing weight due to nausea
You have signs of dehydration: dizziness, dry mouth, dark urine, small urine volume
The nausea is so debilitating that you can't function in daily life
Ginger and dietary changes aren't helping

There are safe anti-nausea medications for pregnant women. Early treatment can likely prevent nausea from developing into severe hyperemesis gravidarum and hospitalization.

Already Had Ginger Shots?

If you've consumed ginger shots or ginger supplements during pregnancy, the recommendation is simply to stop going forward.

Some important nuances:

The warning is based on animal studies, not human studies
The doses in animal studies were significantly higher than what a pregnant woman typically consumes
Findings from animal studies cannot automatically be transferred to humans
There's no reason to panic — just stop with shots going forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pregnant women drink ginger tea?

Yes, pregnant women can drink ginger tea in moderate amounts. Health authorities state there is no basis to suspect that tea contains concentrations as high as shots, unless you make tea with a very high concentration of ginger. 1–2 cups of ginger tea per day with a few slices of fresh ginger is considered safe.

How much ginger can pregnant women have per day?

According to medical treatment guidelines, up to 1 gram of dried ginger per day (equivalent to about 4 grams fresh) is safe during pregnancy. This dose is well-documented in clinical studies and is recommended for morning sickness.

Why are ginger shots dangerous for pregnant women?

Ginger shots can contain pressed juice from 1.7 to 23 grams of fresh ginger. Animal studies have shown that large amounts of ginger can increase the risk of miscarriage. Although this hasn't been documented in humans, health authorities recommend avoiding shots and supplements as a precautionary measure.

Can ginger replace anti-nausea medication during pregnancy?

Ginger can help with mild morning sickness but is not recommended as a replacement for medication for moderate to severe nausea. According to guidelines, pregnant women with moderate nausea should be offered medical treatment. Ginger is also not suitable for hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness) or for concurrent heartburn issues, as ginger can worsen heartburn.

Can I use ginger in cooking while pregnant?

Yes, ginger as a spice in normal cooking is safe for pregnant women. Reports confirm that ginger can be used in "ordinary amounts" in cooking. It's only highly concentrated products like shots and supplements that should be avoided.

Ginger in Different Forms — A Comparison

Here's an overview of the most common ways to consume ginger, with risk assessment for pregnant women:

Form	Typical ginger amount	Assessment for pregnancy
Ginger shot	1.7–23 g per shot	Avoid — too concentrated
High-dose supplements/capsules	Varies, can exceed 1 g	Avoid — hard to control
Pharmacy-dose ginger capsules	250 mg x 4 = 1 g/day	Safe — follows guidelines
Homemade ginger tea	2–5 g fresh per cup	Safe in moderate amounts
Store-bought ginger tea	Low concentration	Safe
Ginger in cooking	1–3 g per serving	Safe
Ginger candy	Low amount per piece	Safe in moderate amounts
Ginger ale	Very low amount	Safe

Timing — When During Pregnancy Is Ginger Most Relevant?

First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)

This is the period when most women experience morning sickness. Nausea typically starts around weeks 6–8 and is worst in weeks 8–12. Ginger can be very helpful during this period.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27)

For most women, nausea subsides in the second trimester. Some pregnant women have persistent nausea, and ginger can still be used in safe doses.

Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40)

Nausea can return at the end of pregnancy, often due to the baby pressing on the stomach. Ginger can still be used, but many women experience increased heartburn during this period. Since ginger can worsen heartburn, consider whether it's right for you.

Side Effects of Ginger

Even in safe amounts, ginger can cause some side effects:

Heartburn — the most common side effect, especially troublesome for pregnant women who already have acid reflux
Mild stomach discomfort — some people feel a warm sensation in the stomach
Bloating — rare but possible
Lingering taste — the sharp taste can stick around

If you experience heartburn from ginger, it's better to choose other remedies for nausea.

Other Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness

Beyond ginger, there are several documented measures that can help:

Vitamin B6

Guidelines recommend 25 mg vitamin B6 three times daily for morning sickness. Vitamin B6 can have some effect and is considered safe during pregnancy.

Acupressure (Sea-Band)

P6 acupressure on the wrist (for example with Sea-Band bracelets) can help some pregnant women. These are available over the counter at pharmacies.

Dietary Tips That Help

Eat often — ideally every 1–2 hours
Eat a little before you get hungry (an empty stomach worsens nausea)
Choose dry foods like crackers and toast
Sip small amounts throughout the day — aim for about 2 liters total
Avoid fatty and heavily spiced foods
Eat a little before getting up in the morning

Summary: Practical Checklist

Safe during pregnancy:

Ginger tea (1–2 cups with a few slices of fresh ginger)
Pharmacy-dose ginger capsules (max 1 gram per day)
Ginger as a spice in cooking
Ginger candy in moderate amounts
Store-bought ginger tea and ginger ale

Should be avoided during pregnancy:

Ginger shots (all types)
Ginger supplements
Homemade concentrated ginger juice
Large amounts of fresh ginger as a side dish

When ginger isn't right for you:

For severe nausea/hyperemesis — see a doctor for medication
For heartburn issues — ginger can make it worse
When vomiting is the main symptom — insufficient effect

Sources

DTU Food Institute. "Advice for pregnant women on avoiding ginger shots." dtu.dk (2019)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
WHO — Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy guidelines