Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Regression analysis showed that ginger extract scores were consistently and significantly better than the loratadine scores in quality of life and nasal symptoms.
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disorder affecting the nasal passage which can be divided into two phases: the sensitization phase characterized by immunoglobulin E production following exposure to the allergen and the clinical phase indicated by the symptoms as a result of exposure to the allergen1. The clinical phase also can be divided into early phase response which indicates the biochemical response of an allergic reaction and the late phase associated with the physical manifestation of the biochemical response i.e. congestion, sneezing, wheezing and the like1. Anti-histamine drugs are the first line of treatment for allergic rhinitis; however, the side effects such as drowsiness, dry-mouth, fatigue, and rash prove to be undesirable for most patients seeking alternative methods to manage allergic rhinitis symptoms2. Ginger, which is used throughout the world in food and medicine, has been shown to improve allergic symptoms3,4. Nonetheless, very few studies have investigated the effectiveness of ginger in treating symptoms of allergic rhinitis. In the current trial, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of ginger extract versus loratadine [Claritin®] in managing symptoms of allergic rhinitis1.
The study was a phase 2 trial with a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. The primary goal was to investigated the efficacy and safety of ginger extract versus loratadine in treating symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Eighty consenting patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis between 18-70years old with no history of chronic disease or severe asthma were recruited for this trial. Pregnant women or lactating mothers were not included in this study. Patients were required to stop taking anti-histamines 1 week before the start of the trial. Eligible participants were randomly divided into 2 groups:
- Ginger extract group (n=40): 500mg capsule containing 125mg of ginger extract (with 71.13mg/g of gingerol and 19.65mg/g of 6-shogaol).
- Loratadine group (n=40): 500mg capsule containing 10mg of micronized loratadine [Claritin®] and lactose monohydrate. This was the control group.
All participants were instructed to take 2 capsules twice daily for 6 weeks. Researchers followed up with patients at week 3 and 6 to evaluate safety, efficacy, and compliance. Efficacy was evaluated using the Total Nasal Symptom Scores (TNSS), Rhino Conjunctivitis Quality of Life questionnaire (RQLQ), and Acoustic Rhinometry (ARM). The Total Nasal Symptom Scores (TNSS) and Rhino Conjunctivitis Quality of Life questionnaire (RQLQ) were subjective measures provided by patients at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Low scores indicated little to no symptoms in TNSS and little to no impairment in RQLQ. Acoustic Rhinometry (ARM) is an objective evaluation of the nasal passage conducted by a trained clinician. Specific points within the nasal passages were measured to determine the effectiveness of either treatment in improving the opening of the nasal airways. Blood samples and blood pressure were taken at baseline, week 3 and week 6 to determine the safety of both treatments during the trial.
After 6 weeks, 72 patients completed the trial [Ginger group = 36, Loratadine = 36]. At baseline, no significant differences were observed between the ginger and loratadine group. At week 3 and week 6, researchers found that ginger extract was as effective as loratadine in improving quality of life and nasal symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients. In other words, no significant difference was observed between the ginger extract and loratadine groups in symptom improvement over the course of the trial. Researchers observed a significant difference between groups in the volume of the nasal cavity after 6 weeks. Investigators saw a greater volume in the left (4.25cm3, p=0.027) and right (4.38cm3, p=0.018) nasal cavity in the ginger group compared to the loratadine group (left: 3.67cm3, right: 3.63cm3, respectively). Regression analysis showed that ginger extract scores were consistently and significantly better than the loratadine scores in quality of life and nasal symptoms. In the ARM measurements, the ginger extract group had significant improvement in the volume and distance of the left nostril compared to the loratadine group. The most common side effect in the ginger extract was eructation followed by dry mouth and dry throat. For the loratadine group, drowsiness was the most common side effect followed by dry mouth and dry throat. No significant effects were observed in liver and kidney parameters.
Overall, researchers found that ginger extract was as effective as loratadine [Claritin ®] in managing symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Additional studies will be need to verify these findings.
Source: Yamprasert, Rodsarin, Waipoj Chanvimalueng, Nichamon Mukkasombut, and Arunporn Itharat. “Ginger extract versus Loratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial.” BMC complementary medicine and therapies 20 (2020): 1-11.
© The Author(s). 2020 Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made.
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Posted April 16, 2025.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
References:
- Yamprasert R, Chanvimalueng W, Mukkasombut N, Itharat A. Ginger extract versus Loratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial. BMC complementary medicine and therapies. Apr 20 2020;20(1):119. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-2875-z
- Akdis CA. Global atlas of allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. European Academy of Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis. 2015.
- Makchuchit S, Rattarom R, Itharat A. The anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of Benjakul extract (a Thai traditional medicine), its constituent plants and its some pure constituents using in vitro experiments. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. May 2017;89:1018-1026. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2017.02.066
- Kawamoto Y, Ueno Y, Nakahashi E, et al. Prevention of allergic rhinitis by ginger and the molecular basis of immunosuppression by 6-gingerol through T cell inactivation. J Nutr Biochem. Jan 2016;27:112-22. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.08.025
