What supplements not to take with ginger?

October 11, 2025 •

2 min read

Over 60 drug interactions have been reported with ginger, with some of the most significant involving supplements and medications that affect blood clotting and blood sugar. This makes understanding what supplements not to take with ginger crucial for your safety.

Quick Summary

Ginger can interact with supplements affecting blood clotting, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Combining certain supplements with ginger can increase the risk of bleeding, hypoglycemia, or low blood pressure. Always consult a healthcare provider.

Key Points

Blood Thinner Interactions: Avoid combining ginger with supplements that slow blood clotting, like garlic, ginkgo biloba, and high-dose fish oil, to prevent increased bleeding risk.
Blood Sugar Risks: Be cautious with supplements that lower blood sugar, such as aloe and chromium, as ginger can cause an excessive drop in blood glucose.
Hypotension Concerns: Combining ginger with other supplements that lower blood pressure, like CoQ10 or magnesium, can increase the risk of hypotension (low blood pressure).
Supplement vs. Food: Concentrated ginger supplements pose a higher risk of interactions than the smaller amounts typically used in cooking.
Consult a Professional: Always talk to a healthcare provider before combining ginger with other supplements, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are on prescription medication.
Turmeric Combination: While often combined for anti-inflammatory effects, high-dose turmeric (curcumin) with ginger can increase antiplatelet activity and bleeding risk.

Supplements that interact with ginger

Ginger is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but its active compounds can interact with certain supplements. The risk of interaction is generally higher with concentrated supplements than with the amounts used in food.

Blood-Thinning Supplements

Ginger has natural blood-thinning properties. Combining it with other supplements that also slow blood clotting can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. These include herbal supplements like Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Danshen, Panax Ginseng, and high doses of Turmeric (Curcumin). Other supplements with blood-thinning potential include High-Dose Fish Oil and Vitamin E.

Blood Sugar Lowering Supplements

Ginger may lower blood sugar levels. Combining it with supplements that also lower blood sugar can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Supplements with potential blood sugar lowering effects that require caution with ginger include Aloe, Bitter Melon, Cassia Cinnamon (in concentrated form), and Chromium.

Blood Pressure Lowering Supplements

Ginger can cause a modest decrease in blood pressure. Combining it with other supplements that also lower blood pressure can lead to an exaggerated effect and potential hypotension (low blood pressure). Supplements that may interact with ginger regarding blood pressure include Garlic, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and Magnesium.

Comparison Table of Ginger and Supplement Interactions


Supplement Category	Specific Supplements	Potential Interaction	Risk Level
Blood Thinners	Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Turmeric (Curcumin), Panax Ginseng, High-Dose Fish Oil, Vitamin E	Increased risk of bleeding and bruising.	High
Blood Sugar Lowering	Aloe, Bitter Melon, Cassia Cinnamon, Chromium	Increased risk of hypoglycemia.	Moderate to High
Blood Pressure Lowering	Garlic, Coenzyme Q10, Magnesium	Increased risk of hypotension.	Moderate

Important Safety Considerations

The risk of interaction is generally higher with concentrated ginger supplements than with the amount typically found in food. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining supplements with ginger, especially if you have existing health conditions or take prescription medications. They can provide personalized advice based on your health profile. The lack of stringent FDA regulation for supplements also means variation in product quality and standardization.

Conclusion

While ginger offers many health benefits, it can interact with certain supplements, particularly those affecting blood clotting, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Combining ginger with these can increase the risk of bleeding, hypoglycemia, or low blood pressure. Consulting a healthcare professional before taking ginger supplements with other supplements or medications is recommended for safe use {Link: Dr.Oracle https://www.droracle.ai/articles/152896/what-meds-does-ginger-interact-with}.

[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK565886/]

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, moderate culinary use of ginger is generally safe, with concentrated supplements posing a higher risk. However, consult your doctor about regular ginger intake if you are on medications for blood thinning, blood pressure, or diabetes.

Combining ginger with blood-thinning supplements can significantly increase the risk of bleeding and bruising due to amplified antiplatelet effects.

Both ginger and high-dose turmeric supplements have blood-thinning effects. Combining them can increase bleeding risk, requiring caution with high doses.

Consult your doctor before taking ginger supplements if you are on diabetes medication, as ginger can lower blood sugar and potentially cause hypoglycemia.

Supplements like garlic, Coenzyme Q10, and magnesium can lower blood pressure and should be used cautiously with ginger due to potential hypotensive effects.

Signs vary but can include excessive bruising or bleeding (blood thinners), dizziness or shakiness (blood sugar), and fainting or dizziness (blood pressure).

The FDA considers up to 4 grams of ginger root per day safe for adults without underlying conditions, but individual tolerance varies, and high doses can cause side effects.