Ginger Root
Ginger root supplements in capsules, tablets, powder and drops. You will find standardised extracts with a stated gingerol content as well as plain dried root. Below we explain how the forms differ and what the strength figures on a label really mean.Read more →
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Choosing between ginger extracts, dried root and powder
Ginger is the rhizome, the thick underground stem, of Zingiber officinale, a tropical plant from Southeast Asia. Its warm bite comes from gingerols and shogaols. Drying changes that mix: dried root holds more shogaol than fresh root. That is why almost every supplement is made from dried root or from an extract of it, and why a capsule tastes of almost nothing while fresh ginger burns.
Most people who buy a supplement are not replacing ginger tea. They want a fixed amount, without the taste, in something that travels in a bag. In our herbs and plants range you will find ginger in several strengths, from food-like amounts to concentrated extracts.
Label strengths are not the amount inside the capsule
A tablet marked 12,000mg does not contain 12 grams of ginger. It contains a concentrated extract, often 20:1, and the big number describes how much dried root that extract stands for. Two smaller figures matter more: the extract ratio and the gingerol content, for example standardised to 5% gingerols. Comparing gingerol milligrams tells you more than comparing front-of-pack numbers. The same applies to curcumin from turmeric, where extract strength varies just as widely.
The forms we carry and who they suit
- Capsules with dried root powder: mild, closest to the kitchen spice, easy to raise or lower.
- Standardised extract capsules: a fixed gingerol content, so every batch gives you the same amount.
- Softgels with extract in oil: useful if plain powder leaves a warm, burning feeling.
- Loose powder: lowest cost per gram, and it works in tea or a smoothie if you like the taste.
- Drops and tinctures: quick to take and easy to adjust in small steps.
How we choose the ginger we stock
We judge three things: the form, the amount, and whether a combination makes sense. We prefer extracts that state their gingerol content, because a bare "root powder" tells you nothing about strength. We also keep simple dried root in the range, since a lower, food-like amount suits people who find concentrated extracts too sharp. Blends with curcumin or black pepper only earn their place when each ingredient is present in a meaningful amount, not as a pinch on the label. We buy directly from the brands, and our compliance team checks every product before it goes live. Read how we select our brands.
Honest expectations before you buy
Ginger has no authorised health claim in the UK or the EU, so we will not promise you a result. What we can say is practical. Studies usually work with roughly half a gram to three grams of dried root a day, and people who take it daily tend to judge it after two to three weeks rather than after two days. Take it with food and a full glass of water if a concentrated dose feels warm in the stomach. If you are pregnant, the NHS advises checking with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements, while ginger in food is treated differently. Speak to your GP first if you use anticoagulant medication. Shoppers often view this page alongside our digestion collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is ginger root and where does it come from?
Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, a flowering tropical plant that originates in Southeast Asia and is now grown in many warm regions. The rhizome is an underground stem, not a true root, although "ginger root" is the name used on almost every label. Its sharp, warming taste comes from compounds called gingerols and shogaols. In supplements it appears as dried powder, as a concentrated extract, or as a liquid extract.
What is the difference between fresh ginger and a ginger supplement?
Fresh ginger gives you flavour and a small, variable amount of active compounds. Drying shifts the balance: dried root holds more shogaol than fresh root, which is one reason supplements are made from dried material. A capsule also gives you a known, repeatable amount with no taste, which matters if you take it daily or while travelling. Fresh ginger stays the better choice if you simply enjoy it in cooking or tea.
Which form of ginger should I choose?
It depends on how precise you want to be and how well you tolerate a concentrated dose.
| Form | What it gives you | Taste | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dried root capsules | Whole powdered root | Neutral | A gentle, food-like amount |
| Standardised extract | Stated gingerol content | Neutral | Consistent daily use |
| Softgel in oil | Extract in a fat base | Neutral | Sensitive stomachs |
| Loose powder | Flexible amounts | Spicy | Tea, smoothies, cooking |
| Drops or tincture | Liquid extract | Sharp | Small dose steps |
If you want to compare two products fairly, look at the gingerol milligrams rather than the equivalence figure on the front.
How much ginger do people usually take, and when?
Research with ginger commonly uses somewhere between half a gram and three grams of dried root a day, often split across the day. Product labels differ widely, so follow the dose on the pack you buy. Most people take it with a meal and a full glass of water, which reduces the warm or burning feeling some notice on an empty stomach. Give it two to three weeks of consistent use before you judge it.
Why do some labels say 12,000mg when the tablet is much smaller?
Because that number is an equivalence figure, not the weight of ginger in the tablet. Manufacturers use a concentrated extract, for example 20:1, and then state how much dried root that extract represents. A 600mg extract at 20:1 becomes "12,000mg". It is not dishonest, but it is not comparable between brands either. The useful figures are the extract ratio and the gingerol percentage, such as standardised to 5% gingerols.
Can I combine ginger with turmeric or other herbs?
Yes, and ginger and turmeric are often sold together. Our rule is simple: a combination only helps if each ingredient is present in a meaningful amount. Many blends spread a small total across four or five botanicals, which leaves too little of each. If you want both at a proper strength, two single products often work out better. Some people prefer peppermint as an alternative if ginger feels too warming.
Can I take ginger supplements during pregnancy?
Ginger in food and drink is treated differently from a supplement. The NHS notes that ginger in foods and drinks may help with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and advises checking with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements. The UK Committee on Toxicity reviewed the available data on ginger supplements in pregnancy and concluded there was no evidence to change that NHS advice. So the practical answer is to ask a pharmacist, midwife or GP first.
Who should be careful with concentrated ginger extracts?
Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take anticoagulant medication, since labels on concentrated ginger products routinely carry that warning. The same applies if you have gallstones, a heart condition, or use regular anti-inflammatory painkillers. People prone to reflux sometimes find high-strength extracts uncomfortable and do better with a dried root capsule or an oil-based softgel. Children should only use a supplement on professional advice.
Why does BONO not promise health benefits on this page?
Because health claims for botanicals such as ginger sit on the European "on hold" list and have not been authorised. We only use claims approved by the European food safety authority, and for ginger there are none. That does not mean the ingredient is pointless. It means we describe what we can verify: the plant part, the extract ratio, the gingerol content and the form. You then decide, with clear information rather than a promise.
