Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) acts as a bitter and carminative herb. It helps stimulate digestion and also improves the tone of intestinal muscles. It also soothes an upset stomach. Ginger may protect the stomach from the damaging effect of alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) and may help prevent ulcers. The gingerols and shogaols in the essential oil counter nausea and vomiting.

According to author Daniel Mowrey, "Ginger is the perfect remedy for acute nausea if you take enough to do the job. The biggest mistake people make in trying to use ginger root is not taking enough."

Ginger also reduces platelet stickiness in the blood, aiding circulation. It also exerts mild anti-inflammatory actions. In Ayurvedic medicine ginger is used to treat inflammatory joint diseases such as arthritis.