Ginger-based formulations for allergic rhinitis disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies in animals and humans
Clinical Snapshot
PICO Framework
| P — Population | Patients with allergic rhinitis (human studies) and animal models of allergic rhinitis |
| I — Intervention | Ginger-based formulations (various preparations containing Zingiber officinale) |
| C — Comparator | Control interventions (placebo, standard care, or no treatment) |
| O — Outcomes | Clinical symptoms (nasal rubbing, sneezing, itching, runny nose), total nasal symptom scores, quality of life measures, and biomarkers (IL-4, IL-5, OVA-specific IgE, eosinophil levels) |
Bottom Line
This systematic review and meta-analysis provides moderate-quality evidence that ginger-based formulations may improve allergic rhinitis symptoms and quality of life. The pooled analysis of 21 studies (6 animal, 15 human) demonstrates statistically significant improvements in nasal symptoms, with standardised mean differences ranging from -0.51 to -0.63 for key outcomes. However, several methodological limitations reduce confidence in these findings. The absence of heterogeneity assessment and GRADE evaluation makes it difficult to assess the certainty of evidence. Most importantly, the multi-component nature of many formulations means the observed benefits cannot be definitively attributed to ginger alone. While the results are promising for complementary management of allergic rhinitis, clinicians should interpret these findings cautiously. The evidence is insufficient to recommend ginger-based formulations as first-line therapy, but they may have a role as adjunctive treatment in patients seeking integrative approaches. Further high-quality RCTs with standardised ginger preparations are needed before definitive clinical recommendations can be made.
Key Findings
P Value: Not explicitly reported but CIs exclude null
Effect Size: SMD = -0.63 for total nasal symptom scores
Primary Outcome: Total nasal symptom scores in humans showed significant improvement
Nnt Or Sensitivity: Effect sizes suggest moderate clinical benefit with SMDs ranging from -0.51 to -0.63 for human symptom outcomes
Confidence Interval: 95% CI: -1.00 to -0.26
Clinical Application
Moderate - depends on availability of standardised ginger-based formulations and patient acceptance of herbal therapies Limited applicability as specific ginger formulations would need TGA approval as therapeutic goods. May be relevant as complementary therapy alongside standard RACGP-recommended treatments for allergic rhinitis Adults and children with allergic rhinitis seeking complementary therapeutic options
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is a chronic non-communicable disease that adversely affects respiratory health and quality of life. Ginger-based formulations, owing to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, may offer a promising alternative therapeutic option. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and meta-analyze evidence from animal studies and human randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of ginger-based formulations in allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus (April 2025) identified studies comparing ginger-based formulations with control interventions. Outcomes included clinical symptoms and relevant biomarkers. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE tool for animal studies and RoB2 for human studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models, with results expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Twenty-one studies (6 animal and 15 human studies) were included. In rodents, ginger-based formulations significantly reduced nasal rubbing (SMD = -1.99; 95%CI, -3.15 to -0.83), sneezing (SMD = -1.99; 95%CI, -2.78 to -1.20), and biomarkers (IL-4, IL-5, and OVA-specific IgE). In humans, ginger-based formulations significantly improved itching (SMD = -0.51; 95%CI, -0.79 to -0.24), runny nose (SMD = -0.59; 95%CI, -0.87 to -0.30), sneezing (SMD = -0.56; 95%CI, -0.75 to -0.37), total nasal symptom scores (SMD = -0.63; 95%CI, -1.00 to -0.26), and quality of life (SMD = -0.56; 95%CI, -0.87 to -0.24), and eosinophil levels. CONCLUSION: Ginger-based formulations improve symptoms and biomarkers of allergic rhinitis in both animal and human studies. As many interventions are multi-component, the observed effects are more appropriately attributed to the overall formulations rather than ginger alone. Further research is needed to explore mechanisms and clarify clinical applications.
References
- 1.Inpan, R., Kantasa, T., Hanprasertpong, N., Na Takuathung, M., & Koonrungsesomboon, N. (2026). Ginger-based formulations for allergic rhinitis disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies in animals and humans. Pharmaceutical Biology. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2026.2667560
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