Ginger Tea in Pregnancy: Is It Safe for Morning Sickness?

It’s 7 a.m., and the smell of breakfast triggers your morning sickness and sends you running to the bathroom. Your mom and lola’s advice? A cup of salabat to calm the stomach. But before you take that sip, you want a straight answer: Is ginger tea in pregnancy safe, and how much is too much?

You don’t have to guess your way through it, Mom. Dr. Vicar Ong, an ob-gyn perinatologist at Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, walks you through what’s safe, what to watch for, and when to check in with your own doctor as you manage morning sickness day to day.

Is Salabat Safe for Morning Sickness?

A cup of salabat a day is considered a safe amount during early pregnancy.

You’ll be glad to know salabat for pregnant women has a good track record. “Ginger tea (salabat) is generally safe and is a natural remedy that can help relieve nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy,” Dr. Ong says.

Safe doesn’t mean it’s okay to take mug-fulls throughout the day, though. If you’re considering ginger in other forms, like powder, candy, or capsules, check with your doctor first, since dosage and safety can look different outside a simple cup of tea.

What the Research Says About Ginger and Nausea

It’s not only Dr. Ong saying this, the studies agree with her. Ginger and nausea during pregnancy have been studied closely, and the findings line up with her guidance, though scientists are still filling in some gaps.

The studies point in ginger’s favor

Here’s what the studies found. A 2024 review in Advances in Nutrition pulled together multiple existing studies and found that ginger helped ease nausea for most pregnant women, with no signs of serious harm to mom or baby. Simply put, if you have a healthy pregnancy, you can safely use ginger to help relieve morning sickness.

In a small 2024 study conducted in India, researchers tested brewed ginger tea directly (not capsules or candy) on pregnant women dealing with morning sickness for the first time and found a real drop in their nausea levels. So, yes, Mom, it’s confirmed. A cup of ginger tea can help ease nausea.

Why the evidence still comes with a caveat

Here’s the catch that nearly every review flags: the studies behind these claims are still small, and they don’t always measure nausea the same way, so it’s hard to call their results a sure thing. This is exactly why Dr. Ong treats ginger tea as a helpful part of managing nausea, not a stand-in for medical care.

Remember, Mom: salabat can ease your discomfort, but it doesn’t replace checking in with your ob-gyn as your pregnancy progresses.

Good news on the safety side, too. The same 2024 review also looked at ginger’s safety track record, and its largest study followed thousands of pregnant women without finding any increased pregnancy risk. A couple of much smaller studies raised early questions, but even the researchers behind them said the results were too limited to draw any real conclusions from.

So, in short: ginger looks safe in moderation, but what exactly moderate means should be confirmed with your own doctor.

How Much Ginger Tea Is Safe During Pregnancy?

Alright, Mom, here’s the number you actually came for. Dr. Ong usually advises her patients to drink no more than one cup of salabat per day. “Ginger is safe in moderate amounts, but excessive intake is not recommended during pregnancy,” she says.

One cup is your number to help ease morning sickness, unless your ob-gyn tells you otherwise.

Who Should Avoid Ginger Tea During Pregnancy?

That one cup might still not be right for you, though. Ginger tea isn’t the right choice for every pregnant woman. Dr. Ong flags a few situations where you should avoid it or check with your doctor first.

• If you have a bleeding disorder or are experiencing vaginal bleeding
• If you’re dealing with a threatened miscarriage
• If you have an upcoming surgery or scheduled cesarean delivery
• If you’re taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel

If any of these apply to you, skip the salabat and talk to your ob-gyn.

Warning Signs to Stop and Call Your OB

Stop drinking ginger tea and call your ob-gyn if you feel dizzy, faint, or can’t keep fluids down.

Even if you can safely drink ginger tea, certain symptoms mean it’s time to put the cup down and pick up the phone.

Symptoms that need same-day medical attention

Stop drinking ginger tea and call your doctor right away if you notice vaginal bleeding, dizziness or fainting, or signs of dehydration like very dark urine or an inability to keep fluids down.

These symptoms are your cue to get checked out same-day, and seeing your doctor early is always the right call, Mom.

When you notice hyperemesis gravidarum symptoms

Severe or persistent nausea and vomiting that doesn’t ease up is also a red flag. As Dr. Ong puts it, “medical evaluation is needed because prescription medications may be more appropriate.” Basically, if ginger tea and rest aren’t cutting it anymore, you’ve moved past what a home remedy can fix, and that’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong.

This level of nausea sometimes points to hyperemesis gravidarum, a more serious form of pregnancy nausea, and reaching for more ginger tea isn’t the answer here. In fact, some women with this severe form of nausea report that ginger actually made them feel worse, not better. This calls for your ob-gyn’s care, not more tea.

Ginger Tea in Pregnancy: The Bottom Line

If you have a healthy pregnancy, a cup of salabat a day is one of the gentler morning sickness remedies out there. But every pregnancy is unique, so loop in your ob-gyn before making it part of your routine, especially if any of the conditions or warning signs above apply to you.

That’s really the whole story with ginger tea in pregnancy, Mom: one cup, checked against your own health history and your ob-gyn. Pair that conversation with this pregnancy complications guide so you know what else is worth watching as your body changes.

Got more questions about ginger tea in pregnancy, or other remedies you've heard from your lola? Trade notes and get support from other expecting Filipino moms in the ParenTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group.

About Dr. Vicar Ong
Dr. Vicar Ong is an ob-gyn with 11 years of experience, subspecializing in Maternal and Fetal Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas and completed her residency training at Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and holds subspecialty certification from the Philippine Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your ob-gyn before starting any new food, drink, or supplement during pregnancy.