Ginger and Breastfeeding: What Nursing Mothers Need to Know
Ginger is a common kitchen spice used in tea, soups, sauces, smoothies and traditional remedies. It is also widely used for nausea, digestive discomfort and other everyday complaints. But if you are breastfeeding, you may wonder whether ginger is safe for you and your baby.
The short answer is that ginger used as a normal food or flavoring is generally considered different from taking concentrated ginger supplements or medicinal preparations. Current information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine's LactMed database says ginger has a long history of use as a food and medicine and is generally recognized as safe as a food flavoring, including during lactation. However, research specifically examining ginger's safety and effectiveness in breastfeeding mothers and their babies remains limited.
That distinction matters. A small amount of fresh ginger in food or an occasional cup of ginger tea is not necessarily equivalent to a concentrated ginger extract, capsule or herbal product containing multiple ingredients.
If you are breastfeeding and considering ginger for a specific health problem or to increase your milk supply, it is sensible to consider the form, amount, reason for use and any medicines you take.
Can You Eat Ginger While Breastfeeding?
For most breastfeeding mothers, eating ordinary amounts of ginger as part of food is generally considered low concern.
Ginger contains naturally occurring compounds called gingerols and shogaols. These compounds contribute to ginger's characteristic flavor and are associated with its biological activity. Ginger is commonly used for nausea and motion sickness, among other traditional uses.
Using ginger as a cooking ingredient is very different from taking a high-strength supplement. Food products generally contain much smaller and less concentrated amounts of active compounds.
For example, adding grated ginger to a meal, using ginger in a homemade dish or drinking a mild ginger beverage is not the same as taking a concentrated ginger extract.
Nevertheless, “natural” does not automatically mean “risk-free.” People can react differently to herbal products, and supplements may contain substantially different amounts of active ingredients.
Is Ginger Tea Safe While Breastfeeding?
Ginger tea is one of the most common ways breastfeeding mothers use ginger.
A mild ginger tea made from fresh ginger is generally a less concentrated option than a ginger supplement. However, commercial herbal teas can contain several ingredients, and the strength of different products can vary.
Before drinking an herbal tea regularly while breastfeeding, check the ingredient list. A product marketed as a “lactation tea,” for example, may contain ginger alongside other herbs. The safety of the whole product cannot be determined simply by knowing that ginger itself is commonly used as food.
If you are taking medication, have a medical condition, or want to use large quantities of ginger every day, speak with a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional before making it part of your routine.
Does Ginger Increase Breast Milk Supply?
This is one of the most important reasons people search for ginger and breastfeeding.
Ginger is traditionally used as a galactagogue, meaning a substance believed to increase breast milk production. LactMed notes that ginger has been used for this purpose in Türkiye, Indonesia and parts of Asia. However, the scientific evidence is limited and does not establish ginger as a reliable way to increase milk production.
A systematic review involving five studies found weak evidence that ginger, alone or in combination with other herbs, might increase milk supply in mothers who had vaginal births, but not in mothers who had cesarean births. Some later research also reported an increase in milk flow after steamed ginger extract compared with placebo at certain postpartum time points.
These findings are interesting, but they should not be interpreted as proof that ginger will increase milk supply for every breastfeeding mother.
Milk production is influenced by many factors, including how frequently and effectively milk is removed from the breasts, breastfeeding technique, infant feeding patterns and maternal and infant health.
LactMed specifically emphasizes that galactagogues should not replace assessment and professional support for factors that may be affecting milk production.
In other words, ginger should not be viewed as a substitute for getting help when you believe your milk supply is low.
Can Ginger Decrease Breast Milk Supply?
You may also encounter claims that ginger reduces milk supply.
Interestingly, LactMed reports that ginger has been traditionally believed to both increase and decrease milk production in different cultures. This conflicting traditional use highlights why it is difficult to make a definite claim that ginger will either increase or decrease milk supply in every mother.
There is currently not enough high-quality evidence to say that ordinary dietary ginger reliably reduces breast milk production.
If you notice a change in your milk supply after starting a concentrated herbal product, consider discussing the product with a healthcare professional rather than assuming ginger is responsible.
Ginger Supplements While Breastfeeding: Are They Different?
Yes. This is an important distinction.
A ginger capsule, extract, powder or concentrated herbal preparation can provide a much higher amount of ginger compounds than normal food use.
LactMed notes that there are very limited data on the safety and effectiveness of ginger in nursing mothers or infants. It also points out that dietary supplements are not subject to the same pre-marketing approval requirements as medicines in the United States. Supplements may contain several ingredients, and the amount actually present may differ between products.
This does not mean every ginger supplement is dangerous. It means there is less certainty about products that provide concentrated doses, particularly when compared with ordinary culinary use.
The European Medicines Agency has also stated that safety during lactation has not been established for medicinal ginger preparations and, because of insufficient data, medicinal use during lactation is not recommended in its herbal monograph.
Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should not automatically assume that a ginger supplement is equivalent to eating ginger in food.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Ginger?
Ginger is generally well tolerated by adults, but it can cause unwanted effects in some people.
Reported side effects can include:
Heartburn
Stomach discomfort
Nausea
Dry mouth
Headache
An unpleasant taste
LactMed also notes that ginger can increase bleeding risk when taken with warfarin.
The European Medicines Agency reports possible adverse effects associated with medicinal ginger preparations, including stomach problems, nausea and allergic skin reactions.
If you experience an unusual reaction after consuming ginger, stop using the product and seek appropriate medical advice, especially if symptoms are severe.
Does Ginger Pass Into Breast Milk?
This is a common question because anything a breastfeeding mother consumes can raise concerns about the nursing baby.
Unfortunately, there is limited information about the transfer of ginger compounds into human milk and the effects of those compounds on breastfed infants. LactMed describes the available evidence on ginger during lactation as very limited.
The lack of evidence does not necessarily mean ginger is harmful. It means researchers have not established enough information to confidently describe the effects of concentrated ginger exposure through breast milk.
This is another reason ordinary dietary use and concentrated medicinal use should be considered separately.
If your baby develops an unusual symptom after you begin taking a new herbal supplement, discuss the situation with your pediatrician, doctor or pharmacist.
Ginger for Breastfeeding Nausea and Digestive Problems
Some breastfeeding mothers use ginger because they experience nausea or digestive discomfort.
Ginger has established traditional and medicinal uses for nausea and digestive symptoms. The European Medicines Agency recognizes certain ginger preparations for specific uses, including prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness and traditional use for mild gastrointestinal complaints.
However, an approved or traditionally used medicinal purpose does not automatically mean that every ginger product is appropriate during breastfeeding.
The form of ginger matters, as does the dose and the reason you are taking it.
If nausea is persistent, severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is better to identify the underlying cause instead of relying on ginger alone.
Ginger and Breastfeeding: Food vs. Supplements
A simple way to understand the issue is to separate ginger into three broad categories.
1. Ginger used in food
Fresh ginger, ground ginger and ginger used as a normal cooking ingredient are generally the lowest-concentration forms. LactMed considers ginger generally recognized as safe as a food flavoring, including during lactation.
2. Ginger tea
A homemade or mild ginger tea may contain more ginger than a typical meal, but the amount can vary considerably. Commercial products may also contain additional herbs.
3. Ginger supplements and medicinal preparations
Capsules, extracts and concentrated herbal preparations can deliver substantially more ginger compounds. Evidence about their safety during breastfeeding is limited, and professional advice is particularly appropriate before regular use.
Is Ginger Good for Breastfeeding Mothers?
Ginger can be part of a balanced diet while breastfeeding. It can add flavor to meals and beverages, and some people use it to help with nausea or digestive discomfort.
However, it should not be promoted as a guaranteed breastfeeding aid.
There is currently insufficient evidence to say that ginger reliably increases milk supply in all breastfeeding mothers. If you are concerned about your milk production, practical breastfeeding support is usually more important than relying on an herbal supplement.
A lactation professional can assess feeding and milk-removal patterns and help identify factors that may be affecting supply.
When Should You Ask a Healthcare Professional Before Taking Ginger?
Consider speaking with a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional before using concentrated ginger products if you:
Take prescription medicines
Take blood-thinning medication such as warfarin
Have a condition that affects bleeding
Have a history of significant reactions to ginger
Want to take high-dose ginger supplements
Plan to use ginger medicinally for an extended period
Are concerned about your baby's response
Are using a multi-herb breastfeeding or lactation product
This is particularly important because supplements can contain multiple active ingredients and may vary in strength and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ginger and Breastfeeding
Can I eat fresh ginger while breastfeeding?
For most people, ordinary culinary use of fresh ginger is generally considered low concern. Ginger has a long history of use as a food, and LactMed describes it as generally recognized as safe as a food flavoring during lactation.
Can I drink ginger tea while breastfeeding?
A mild ginger tea is different from a concentrated ginger supplement. Check the ingredients if the tea is commercially prepared, especially if it contains several herbs. If you plan to drink strong ginger preparations frequently, ask a healthcare professional for individualized advice.
Does ginger increase breast milk?
There is limited evidence that certain ginger preparations may increase milk flow or milk production in some circumstances, but the evidence is not strong enough to say that ginger reliably increases milk supply for everyone.
Can ginger decrease milk supply?
There is not enough reliable evidence to conclude that ordinary ginger consumption decreases milk supply. Traditional reports have described both increased and decreased milk production, so claims that ginger always affects supply in one direction should be treated cautiously.
Is ginger supplement safe while breastfeeding?
Safety data for concentrated ginger supplements during breastfeeding are limited. LactMed notes the lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data, while the European Medicines Agency says safety during lactation has not been established for medicinal ginger preparations.
Can ginger affect my baby through breast milk?
There is limited information about ginger exposure through human milk and its effects on breastfed infants. This uncertainty is one reason concentrated medicinal use deserves more caution than normal dietary use.
The Bottom Line
For a breastfeeding mother, ginger in normal food amounts is generally considered much less concerning than concentrated ginger supplements. Ginger has a long history as a food and traditional remedy, but research specifically examining its use during breastfeeding remains limited.
Ginger may have potential as a galactagogue, but current evidence is not strong enough to guarantee that it will increase breast milk supply. If you are experiencing low milk supply, breastfeeding difficulties or concerns about your baby's feeding, professional assessment should come before relying on ginger or another herbal product.
The safest approach is to consider how much ginger you are taking, what form it is in, why you are taking it and what other medicines or supplements you use.
For ordinary dietary use, ginger can generally be viewed as a food rather than a high-dose treatment. For concentrated extracts, capsules or medicinal preparations, however, it is wise to get personalized advice from a healthcare professional.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice. Breastfeeding mothers who are taking medicines, managing a health condition, experiencing feeding problems or considering concentrated herbal supplements should consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Evidence about herbal products can change as new research becomes available.
Sources and evidence: The information in this article is based primarily on the U.S. National Library of Medicine's LactMed database, which was revised in June 2026, and European Medicines Agency information on ginger medicinal preparations and lactation.