Yes, ginger (Zingiber officinale) can be used to treat constipation. This practice is common in some traditional medicine systems.(source 2) And, studies report that there is valid modern scientific support for using ginger in this way. A 2015 study published in the Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products(source 1) specifically stated that ginger’s ability to treat constipation has been confirmed by modern research.
This same study states that ginger is utilized for many digestive conditions in Iranian traditional medicine, including constipation. And, these traditional uses have been verified by modern phytotherapists (practitioners of herbalism; using plants or herbs as medication to treat or prevent diseases).
Some of the other digestive system applications in Iranian traditional medicine confirmed by phytotherapists include improving digestion, helping with flatulence (gas), expelling of parasites (vermifuge), preventing nausea, and preventing vomiting.
According to a 2005 study, published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences,(source 5) (which we will discuss in greater detail later) it appears there are three significant reasons why ginger helps with constipation:
- It causes ingested material to travel through the intestines faster.
- It has a spasmogenic (when a substance causes contraction of smooth muscle) effect.
- It has a spasmolytic (tending or having the power to relieve spasms or convulsions) effect.
A 2019 study published in Acta Scientific Nutritional Health(source 2) stated the following about why ginger is able to help with gastrointestinal conditions like constipation:
Ginger has [a] number of active compounds which are known to excite digestion, absorption, alleviation from constipation and flatulence by accelerating activity of muscles in the digestive tract.
Acta Scientific Nutritional Health [3 (2019): 78-82]
In addition to all these benefits of ginger for constipation, it appears that topical application of the essential oil even helps with constipation as well. As we will discuss later, there was a noticeable positive effect for many people who received abdominal massages with ginger essential oil!
Ginger’s Effectiveness as a Laxative
So, is ginger a laxative? Yes, ginger can be used as a laxative; and, this herb is used widely in traditional medicine as a laxative.(source 3)(source 5) According to a study in Digestive Diseases and Sciences(source 5) and a study in Food & Function,(source 4) there is valid scientific evidence to support the traditional use of ginger for digestive problems like constipation.
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Why Ginger is Good for Constipation
Ginger may have a direct impact on this process, and it does help speed up the transit of material through the intestines.
A 2005 study, published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences,(source 5) investigated how ginger would affect the transit of food through the intestinal system of rats. In addition to this test, the study also examined how ginger interacted with digestive system tissue of various animals to decipher mechanisms of causation for the effects.
For their tests the study used a water and methanol derived crude extract of ginger. This prepared extract was compared to carbachol (carbamylcholine chloride). Carbachol mimics the effect of acetylcholine; and, acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter within the parasympathetic nervous system.
Essentially, carbachol is used to quicken intestinal transit time and cause diarrhea in research. One of the side effects of this chemical is diarrhea.(source 6)
The study gave rats food containing charcoal to monitor how fast material would pass through the intestines. The study found that 100mg/kg of body weight dose of the extract caused charcoal to move 27.3% farther than saline (salt water). Carbachol moved the charcoal meal 33.2% farther than saline. These results confirmed that ginger was able to promote the passage of material through the digestive tract (scientifically this effect is known as "prokinetic activity").
The study also determined that ginger extract had spasmogenic (when a substance causes contraction of smooth muscle) and spasmolytic (tending or having the power to relieve spasms or convulsions) activity.
The study’s authors conclude that their research provides some scientific basis for the traditional medical use of ginger for digestive problems. The authors sate:
This has provided a scientific basis for the gastrointestinal prokinetic and relaxant activities of ginger by virtue of which ginger has found popular use for an array of digestive ailments. It has also provided evidence for diverse modes of action of ginger as an explanation for all the effects that had until now been undetermined.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences [50.10 (2005): 1889-1897]
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Topical Application of Ginger Oil for Constipation
Given the findings in research it appears that simple abdominal massage with ginger oil can help reduce the symptoms of constipation. One study even used a combination of ginger and lavender oils for massage with promising results. So, if you have some ginger essential oil on hand, this is a quick and easy way to help reduce the severity of constipation!
Let’s take a look at two studies that demonstrate these results.
A study in PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology(source 7) did an investigation on ginger oil applied to the abdomen of constipated individuals. The study therefore can help shed some light as to how effective such a treatment will be.
The study encompassed 30 randomly selected individuals who were suffering from constipation. These people were given ginger oil and told to apply it topically to their abdominal area twice a day for 30 days. Additionally, characteristics of the subject’s stools and bowel movement frequency were noted at the start of this study.
The results of the ginger oil therapy were as follows:
- 23 people reported abdominal pain before ginger oil; after the therapy only 7 people had abdominal pain.
- 28 people experienced hard stools before treatment; after ginger oil treatment only 15 had this problem.
- The study found that of the 30 test subjects, 60% benefited from the ginger oil, 30% had slight changes, and 10% had no change.
This study concluded that the topical application of ginger oil on the abdomen had a positive effect on bowel movement; thus being effective for constipated individuals. 90% of the study participants reported they felt it was a beneficial treatment.
Another study looking into this topic used both lavender and ginger oil for abdominal massage in constipated individuals. This study was published in 2022 in EXPLORE.(source 8)
The study participants included 40 elderly individuals who suffered from constipation. Some of these people were put into an intervention group; they were given abdominal massages with lavender and ginger oil. This therapy was given for 15 minutes for 5 days a week for 4 weeks.
The study found that abdominal massage with these oils reduced constipation severity, associated pain, stool obstruction, and lack of movement of material through the colon. The study concluded that this therapy ultimately reduced the symptoms of constipation and softened stool consistency.
But, it should be noted, it appears more results were seen in the 2nd and 4th week of therapy than at the first follow up examination.
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Ginger Tea for Constipation
Have some ginger tea afterwards and make sure to drink plenty of water. Try to avoid eating solid food until you have a bowel movement. You can learn more about garlic for constipation here.
Tea is often a great easy and safe remedy that can help with constipation. The only caveat being you don’t want to brew tea with an herb that slows down digestive transit (more on why chamomile is not the best choice for constipation).
Hot water by itself is probably the biggest reason why this remedy works. If you want some sound advice, try to reduce or stop your solid food intake and just drink water or fruit juice until you have a bowel movement. In many situations, this should help!
Because the constipation fighting power of getting plenty of warm water can be augmented by the bowel movement promoting herbs, it makes good sense to make a tea with them; one being ginger. And, the stronger the tea is, the more phytochemicals will be in it; which directly correlates to its therapeutic effect.
Just follow your favorite ginger tea recipe, and try to avoid eating any more solid food until you pass a stool. I know from experience that water fasting will rapidly flush the contents of your intestines out when you poop. And, if I were constipated, I would want to just drink plenty of water with some ginger tea until I had a good bowel movement!
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Ginger’s Side Effects
Ginger is a very safe herb, and generally will not cause any problems for most people. Yet, possibly the most common side effect is upset stomach or heartburn—espcially if a lot is taken on an empty stomach.
Although ginger has the US FDA’s “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS) certification, there are still some side effects and warnings to be aware of. Possibly the two most important are that this herb should not be taken with blood thinners. And, if you have a history of gallstones, you should avoid this herb.
There are more side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications for ginger; but, are beyond the scope of this article. Herbsey has a full article dedicated to this topic. If you have some time, it is a thorough overview of the side effects of ginger. You can find it here: Ginger’s Side Effects.
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About the Author
Geoff Kent is a natural medicine enthusiast who has been researching and writing about natural medicine since 2008. Geoff is primarily a web developer, but also researches and authors written and video content about natural health. Geoff has a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northern Iowa.
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