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J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2025;14(3): 315-331.
doi: 10.34172/jhp.2025.53171
  Abstract View: 172
  PDF Download: 177

Review

Effects of Zingiber officinale in complementary care for postoperative complications: A systematic review

Hedayatallah Lalehgani 1 ORCID logo, Ali Amini 2 ORCID logo, Hadi Shakerin 3,4* ORCID logo

1 Department of Adults and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
2 Department of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Research Center for Prevention of Oral and Dental Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Hadi Shakerin, Email: hadishakerin1@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Postoperative complications are among the most common complications related to surgery or anesthetics, leading to longer treatment duration and extended hospitalization. So, we decided to explore the clinical outcomes of Zingiber officinale or ginger on postoperative complications.

Methods: This study adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. To find relevant studies published before April 2, 2025, a comprehensive search was done in Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PubMed/MEDLINE. Predefined criteria for including and excluding studies were applied and duplicate entries were eliminated. The data extraction process concentrated on study characteristics, interventions, and key outcomes.

Results: The included studies demonstrated that Z. officinale was generally effective in alleviating the severity and frequency of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) compared to standard antiemetics, with several studies reporting a significant decrease in nausea intensity, reduced need for antiemetic medications and improved patient satisfaction. However, the incidence of vomiting was not consistently affected. Moreover, aromatherapy with ginger showed variable effectiveness, with some studies indicating borderline or non-significant effects. Regarding postoperative pain, ginger demonstrated comparable analgesic effects to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in several trials, with significant pain reduction observed. Additional benefits included reduced postoperative shivering, anxiety scores, and decreased severity of post-cesarean abdominal distention. However, effects on bowel function and ileus were inconsistent.

Conclusion: Z. officinale shows promise as a safe complementary treatment for reducing postoperative complications in various surgical settings. However, additional clinical research is necessary to draw a more definitive conclusion.


Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:

Our review indicates that Zingiber officinale is a safe and effective complementary therapy for alleviating postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain. This supports the integration of ginger into perioperative care protocols to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, while potentially decreasing the dependence on traditional antiemetics and analgesics. Health policymakers should consider endorsing its use to promote a more holistic and cost-effective approach to surgical care. Meanwhile, clinicians are encouraged to thoughtfully incorporate ginger into postoperative management.

Please cite this paper as: Lalehgani H, Amini A, Shakerin H. Effects of Zingiber officinale in complementary care for postoperative complications: A systematic review. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2025;14(3):315-331. doi: 10.34172/jhp.2025.53171.

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Submitted: 12 Feb 2025
Revision: 02 Jun 2025
Accepted: 04 Jun 2025
ePublished: 01 Jul 2025
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