---
title: "Ginger or Turmeric? | Herbadex"
description: "Two related roots: ginger for motion-sickness nausea, turmeric for fullness and wind."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/compare/ginger-vs-turmeric/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

Comparisons

# Ginger or Turmeric?

Ginger and turmeric belong to the same plant family and are often confused. In EMA assessments their evidence and uses differ. The table is built from the sourced cards of both herbs.

| Aspect | Ginger Zingiber officinale | Turmeric Curcuma longa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Strongest evidence | A Strong clinical evidence | T Traditional use |
| Needs | Digestion, Joints, Bones & Pain, Immunity | Digestion |
| Form | Spice | Spice |
| How to use | For motion sickness, adults take 1–2 g of powdered ginger 1 hour before travel. | Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 0.5–1 g of chopped turmeric. |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | From age 6 | From age 18 |
| Drug interactions | No recorded interactions | No recorded interactions |
| Duration limit | See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks | See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks |

## Which one, when?

### Ginger

Has a use backed by clinical studies for preventing motion-sickness nausea; traditionally used for indigestion, joint pain and colds.

[Full card →](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ginger/)

### Turmeric

Traditionally used for digestive complaints such as fullness, slow digestion and wind. Not recommended with bile duct or liver disease.

[Full card →](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/turmeric/)

## Good to know

-   The EMA turmeric monograph has no indication for joint pain or inflammation.
-   No malformations have been seen with ginger in pregnancy, but the EMA prefers avoiding it as a precaution; turmeric is not recommended in pregnancy.

## Sources

1.  [European Union herbal monograph on Zingiber officinale Roscoe, rhizoma – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-zingiber-officinale-roscoe-rhizoma-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2025
2.  [European Union herbal monograph on Curcuma longa L., rhizoma – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-curcuma-longa-l-rhizoma-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2018

This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.