Can I Use Ginger to Relieve PMS Symptoms?

This spicy, antioxidant-rich rhizome, used in everything from curries to cakes, has long been praised for its anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger’s history as a medicine spans thousands of years, and it’s used in both TCM and Ayurveda. It’s also widely renowned in modern medicine, considered a gastrointestinal panacea for safely soothing nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, and other digestive woes.

What’s more, studies indicate that taking ginger capsules a few times a day can relieve menstrual-cramp pain to the same degree as over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like aspirin.

Romm suggests cooking with ginger or enjoying ginger tea to help with digestive issues, nausea, and cramps. She also recommends taking ginger capsules — often more effective than tea at combating pain — three times a day for the first three days of your period.