Can Ginger Tea Keep You Awake?

Ginger root tea is naturally caffeine free and sourced from the root of a flowering plant native to Southeastern Asia. Ginger tea side effects are minimal, and in general, ginger is widely used for culinary purposes. It also has health benefits including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Ginger root is distinguished by its knobby brown appearance and spicy fragrance. Peeled and grated, ginger is a spicy addition to many dishes. In its dried form, it is used to flavor baked goods and is also sold as a tea.

Ginger tea is considered to be a tisane, or an herbal tea. Ginger is a naturally caffeine-free food, so it should not affect your sleep as compared with teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant, such as black or green teas, which do contain caffeine.

You may buy ginger tea — it is often combined with other teas such as green tea or with lemon — or make it yourself from fresh ginger root. If you're worried about not sleeping, make sure to buy a tea made just from ginger root or make it yourself at home.

To make tea from fresh ginger, peel and thinly slice a piece of ginger root (you'll want about 2 tablespoons of sliced ginger root). Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a pot, place the ginger in the pot and boil for 10 minutes. If you prefer a stronger tea, use more ginger and boil for a longer amount of time. Tea may be flavored with honey or lemon juice or enjoyed plain.

As a dietary supplement, ginger is used for post-surgery nausea, along with nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy and pregnancy. It's also used for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, among other ailments. Ginger can be purchased fresh, dried, pickled, in tablets and capsules, liquid extracts and as a dried or fresh root tea.

Ginger has been a traditional medicine approach for centuries, and modern medicine is currently exploring ginger's potential in treating more serious conditions, such as cancer.

​Read more:​ Green Tea and Ginger Health Benefits

The major pharmacologically active component of ginger is called 6-gingerol. A review published August 2017 in the journal ​Food and Function​ explains that 6-gingerol is prized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial and gastrointestinal tract protective potential.

An article in the January 2017 issue of the ​Journal of Developing Drugs​ cites ginger's low toxicity and broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological applications including anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and anti-platelet activities.

Ginger, when used as a spice, is believed to be generally safe to consume for most people. Clinical trials with chronic oral ginger therapy in humans have demonstrated safe consumption of 2 grams per day for 28 days with demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Mild side effects of drinking ginger tea could include abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and gas. Some experts recommend that people with gallstone disease use caution with ginger because it may increase the flow of bile. If you experience a rash in your mouth or stomach after eating or drinking ginger, you may have an allergy.

Research has not definitively shown whether ginger interacts with medications, but concerns have been raised that it might interact with anticoagulants (blood thinners) and diabetes medication. Caution should also be used when consuming ginger tea during pregnancy, as there has been no conclusive evidence that ginger is absolutely safe.

​Read more:​ The Cardiovascular Benefits and Harms of Ginger