Is ginger safe for babies?
Ginger is a common culinary spice, but also a powerful and important medicinal herb. This herb has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of health problems in people of all ages, and is a common ingredient in herbal formulations worldwide. Ginger is not only safe for use in babies and children, but it’s also easily accessible and remarkably affordable in all its forms (fresh, dried, tincture, capsules, etc).
Ginger has been used to treat the following health problems:
- Viral infections
- Hypoxia / Low oxygenation of tissues
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Cancer
- Colorectal
- Gastric
- Ovarian
- Liver
- Breast
- Prostate
- Diabetes
- Anorexia / Appetite loss
- Kidney stones
- Cough
- Asthma
- Pain
- Back pain
- Ear pain
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Migraine
- Toothache
- Edema
- Hemorrhoids
- Poor circulation
- Fever
- Rheumatism
- Fatigue
- Malnutrition
- Common cold
- Osteoarthritis
- Debility / Weakness
- Sore throat
- Dementia
- Gingivitis
- Stroke
- Muscle strain
- Arthritis
Ginger has the following medicinal effects in the body:
- Hepatoprotective / Liver protective
- Anticancer
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Antidiabetic
- Nephroprotective / Kidney protective
- Larvicidal
- Analgesic / Painkiller
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immunomodulatory
- Cardioprotective
- Antipyretic
- Radioprotective
- Antiviral
Ginger: Herbal Remedy for Viral Infections in Babies
Ginger is an important antiviral herb for people of all ages, including babies and young children. Its antiviral properties have been attributed to the presence of certain compounds in the plant, including gingerol, paradole, bisabolene, zingerone, zingiberol, and 6-shogaol. The sesquiterpene beta-sesquiphellandrene is another active antiviral constituent in ginger. Besides the specific viral infections discussed below, ginger has also been used to treat the following viral infections:- Chikungunya
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- COVID-19
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis C virus
- The lyophilized juice extract of ginger inhibits viral replication of the hepatitis C virus inside of HepG2 cells. It does this by interacting with viral RNA.
- Hepatitis A virus
- Human norovirus
- Herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
- Ginger essential oil can reduce HSV-2 activity by up to 90% in vitro.
- Rhinovirus
- Influenza A
- H1N1
- H5N1
- H9N2
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Treatment
Fresh ginger hot water extracts (i.e. infusions/decoctions made from fresh ginger root) have been found to inhibit plaque formation of RSV in humans. This plaque inhibition also prevents viral attachment and entry into cells. In A549 RSV cell lines, fresh ginger extracts decreased plaque counts by nearly 20%, while in HEp-2 RSV cell lines, plaque counts decreased by 27%. If given before viral exposure, fresh ginger extract prevented plaque formation by up to nearly 13%. Higher doses of fresh ginger also were shown to increase mucosal secretion of the cytokines IFN-beta and IFN-alpha, both of which may further inhibit infection with RSV. In other words, a tea or decoction made with fresh ginger root can not only treat, but also prevent, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Note that only fresh ginger root is effective in the treatment of RSV; use of dried ginger root preparations has not been shown to achieve the same medicinal effects.
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COVID-19 Treatment
Ginger may be effective as a child-safe treatment for COVID-19 (and perhaps also for other coronavirus infections, such as SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and others). Note that this herb is also effective in treating other respiratory infections, including rhinovirus and RSV.One Saudi Arabian study on patients with COVID-19 observed that hospitalization levels were lower in patients who used ginger medicinally (28%) in comparison with COVID-19 patients who didn’t take ginger (38%). In Bangladesh, Tunisia, and areas of Africa, many effective herbal COVID-19 treatments include ginger as a key antiviral ingredient. In Iran, a combination of ginger and echinacea was found to effectively reduce COVID-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath, muscle pain, and coughing, even more so than the commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drug, hydroxychloroquine.
Patients who develop ARDS as a result of COVID-19 infection may also benefit from ginger. Research indicates that the administration of ginger extracts given with food for 21 days may improve oxygenation levels, decrease levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-a (cytokines implicated in cytokine storm syndrome), and require less time using mechanical ventilation than patients who don’t receive any treatment with ginger.
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Support our outside vendors by purchasing Hawaii Pharm's Ginger tincture here. Rotavirus Treatment
Rotavirus is a common viral infection in babies and young children, and is thought to infect almost every child in the world at least once before the age of 5. This virus generally causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever. Rotavirus A is the most common strain, causing approximately 90% of rotavirus infection cases, though there are a total of 9 different rotavirus strains that can develop. One study found that aqueous ginger extracts may specifically be active against the SA-11 type of rotavirus.Chikungunya Virus Treatment
Aqueous extract of ginger may provide a powerful herbal treatment for chikungunya virus infection. Gingerol, a compound found in ginger and ginger essential oil, is thought to be one of the primary medicinal constituents responsible for fighting infection with chikungunya. In HepG2 cells, which are more likely than other cell types to be infected with chikungunya, gingerol was found to inhibit viral replication by inactivating extracellular viral particles or by actively entering viruses and destroying their genome.Ginger for Hyperoxia in Babies
Hyperoxia, otherwise known as oxygen toxicity, is a problem generally seen in premature infants who are receiving therapeutic oxygen supplementation; one of the most concerning risks of hyperoxia is organ damage. Premature infants are particularly at risk for lung damage due to hyperoxia since their lungs are already underdeveloped.One Turkish study found that ginger supplementation in premature infants may help alleviate lung damage caused by hyperoxia. Specifically, the study considered whether or not ginger may be able to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia, an inflammatory lung condition. Researchers administered 1000mg/kg of oral ginger supplements to rat pups with hyperoxia, in addition to lipopolysaccharide. The rat pups who received both ginger and lipopolysaccharide exhibited improved weight gain, decreased apoptosis (cell death), and lower levels of total oxidants, including of the damaging oxidants malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase. Ginger also was found to lower levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1-beta.
In the lungs specifically, ginger supplementation helped protect against the destruction of parenchymal tissues, fibrosis, and the development of abnormal alveolar structure. Ginger was also able to generally prevent ongoing tissue damage in the lungs.
Ginger for Gastrointestinal Problems
Ginger has been known to be able to treat the following gastrointestinal problems (among others not listed here):- Diarrhea
- Nausea / Vomiting
- Constipation
- Bloating / Gas
- Indigestion
- Belching
- Gastric ulcers
- Dyspepsia
- Gastritis
- Intestinal cramping
- Heartburn
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Gastroenteritis
- Dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
Ginger improves gastrointestinal motility, meaning that it helps facilitate nutrient absorption through ensuring that ingested foods/drinks/etc. move through the GI tract at the appropriate rate, in addition to preventing the problems listed above. Sluggish or uncoordinated digestion is the cause of or a key player in the development of most of the problems listed above. One study administered 100mg of ginger extract twice daily (this is equivalent to 2 grams of fresh ginger root daily) and observed a notable increase in gastrointestinal motility when compared with participants receiving placebo. Other research also suggests that ginger facilitates more efficient and rapid emptying of the stomach, thereby reducing symptoms of heartburn, gastritis, indigestion, belching, gastric ulcers, nausea, and more.
Ginger for Diarrhea in Children and Infants
Diarrhea has many different causes. Ginger can work to treat both the symptom of diarrhea, as well as the cause of the diarrhea in some cases. In other situations, while ginger may not be able to treat the core cause of the diarrhea, it may be able to treat the symptom of diarrhea. In children and infants, diarrhea can quickly become serious if the child or baby becomes dehydrated, so having safe medicines available to treat diarrhea is extremely important.Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting
Like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are generally symptoms of an underlying problem, such as a viral or bacterial infection. Nevertheless, these symptoms can become a major concern if a child becomes dehydrated as a result of vomiting, or if they’re unable to eat anything or keep down food for an extended period of time. Ginger is an excellent option for managing nausea and vomiting in children and babies. Its antiemetic properties are thought to be due to ginger’s anti-inflammatory actions in the body, as well as the herb’s inhibitory effects of 5HT-3 and muscarinic acetylcholine (M3 receptors). Ginger is also well-suited to treating nausea and vomiting because it helps regulate esophageal and gastric motility to facilitate stomach emptying into the intestines, rather than regurgitation.One study observed the effects of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in children between the ages of 1-10 years with acute gastroenteritis. In this study, children were given 10mg of ginger every 8 hours until the resolution of their nausea/vomiting symptoms in addition to oral hypotonic rehydration solution given 30 minutes after ginger administration. If a child experienced more than 1 episode of vomiting in the span of 8 hours, they could be given another additional dose of the ginger supplement. The study found that the administration of ginger effectively reduced vomiting by approximately 1 episode over the course of each 24-hour period.
For the treatment of vomiting, ginger can be given at a dose of up to 2 grams per day in adults. In the study discussed above, which centers on children, ginger extracts would have been given at a dose of approximately 30mg/day minimum.
Ginger for Infantile Colic and GERD
Ginger has long been used as an essential treatment for infantile colic and GERD in babies (as well as in young children). Rhuger is a popular remedy that utilizes ginger and rhubarb extracts combined with magnesium carbonate to treat infantile colic, GERD, and other digestive problems in babies and children of all ages. It is recommended to be used for at least 2 weeks, at which point the dose can be increased if needed.Ginger for Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious, life-threatening GI problem that (generally) affects only premature babies. In this condition, severe inflammation of the large and small intestines leads to bacterial overgrowth and subsequent cellular damage and death in the tissues of the intestines. If left untreated, necrotizing enterocolitis can cause intestinal perforations, sepsis, peritonitis, and even death.Given the severity of this particular health problem, it definitely warrants a trip to the hospital for emergency care. That being said, ginger may be able to help the baby recover more effectively. Ginger may also be able to help prevent the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in at-risk infants, including premature babies born before 36 weeks gestation, those who were born at an especially low weight, and babies who are formula-fed rather than fed with breast milk.
One animal study in newborn rats observed the effects of ginger on necrotizing enterocolitis. The rat pups in the test group were given an oral dose of ginger of 1000mg/kg of bodyweight. These pups had improved weight gain and better clinical disease scores than the pups with necrotizing enterocolitis who didn’t receive any treatment at all. The severity of the intestinal damage in the pups who received ginger was also significantly less than that of the other untreated rat pups. The pups who received ginger also had notably lower levels of the cytokines TNF-a, IL-1-beta, and IL-6, while the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase remained at relatively normal levels in comparison with the untreated rat pups. Production of xanthine oxidase, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase were lower in the ginger-treated pups.
Ginger for Pediatric Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Fatty liver disease may not seem like the kind of problem that should be included in any sort of article about children’s health, but in reality NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is more common in the developed world than one might expect. In fact, hepatic steatosis (the precursor to childhood non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is thought to be found in up to 43% of babies who were exposed to risk factors before/after birth, and in up to 24% of babies not exposed to these risk factors. Mothers with diabetes or gestational diabetes have also been found to be significantly more likely to give birth to babies with hepatic steatosis or NAFLD.Ginger has been found to be an effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults; while studies on ginger’s use for this condition in children are limited, it’s reasonable to assume that this herb would work to treat NAFLD in babies and children as well.
One study observed a group of 44 adult patients with NAFLD over the course of 12 weeks. The test group received 2 grams of ginger powder supplement in capsule form each day (the control group received a placebo pill). Both groups were also advised to eat a balanced diet and to get a healthy amount of physical activity each week. The patients in the group that received ginger supplements demonstrated a significant drop in inflammatory markers, liver enzymes (which suggest liver problems), hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance.
How to Administer Ginger to Babies and Children
Ginger can be given to babies and children as a tea/infusion or as a tincture. It can also be added to food to increase not only the nutritional and medicinal value of the food, but also to add flavor and interest. Note that ginger can be a pretty intense flavor, especially for babies and toddlers, when given in larger doses (in other words, try to disguise the ginger with something else if you think that your baby/toddler might put up a fight against this spicy root).In adults, the maximum recommended dose of powdered ginger is up to 4 grams per day. Thus, the following dosing guidelines can be used for children:
- Birth to 1 year - 480mg/day (12% of adult dosage)
- 1-2 years - 1000mg/day (25% of adult dosage)
- 3-7 years - 2000mg/day (50% of adult dosage)
- 8-12 years - 3000mg/day (75% of adult dosage)
Start with a low dose and work your way up only on an as-needed basis. Use the smallest possible dose to achieve the desired effect (this applies not only to children, but also to adults).
The Rhuger Ginger and Rhubarb mixture contains 0.0075mL of ginger (and 0.015mL of rhubarb root) per 1mL of syrup. Thus, the dose given may range from 0.0225mL to 0.09mL of ginger extract per day. This formulation recommends the following dosing protocols for babies; these protocols should ideally be administered for at least 2 weeks for best results:
- Birth to 5 weeks - Administer 0.5mL up to 6 times per day
- 6-12 weeks - Administer 1mL up to 6 times per day
- 3 months and over - Administer 2mL up to 6 times per day
Note that ginger can aggravate digestive complaints caused by the gallbladder. If you suspect that your child’s particular digestive problem might ultimately be the result of a gallbladder blockage, spasm, or other gallbladder related issue, wait to administer ginger. If you do administer ginger and find out later that the problem is gallbladder related, don’t fret; ginger won’t cause harm necessarily, but it does have the potential to make certain gallbladder-related symptoms worse.
Resources:
• San Chang, Jung, et. al. (2013). Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines. Retrieved December 16, 2023 from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23123794/
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