Traditionally, Ginger was classified as a stimulant and carminative and used frequently for dyspepsia, gastroparesis, slow motility symptoms, constipation, and colic. Ginger may also decrease pain from arthritis, and may have blood thinning and cholesterol lowering properties that may make it useful for treating heart disease. Ginger has been found effective in multiple studies for treating nausea caused by seasickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy. Tea brewed from ginger is common folk remedy for colds. Ginger ale and ginger beer are also drunk as stomach settlers in countries where the beverages are made. Ginger water was also used to avoid heat cramps in the United States.

In Chinese, Japanese, and Indian medicine the rhizomes and stems of ginger have been used for hundreds of years. The oleoresin of ginger is often found in traditional preparations used to treat cough, gas, constipation, and excess stomach acid.

Ginger is commonly used for various types of "stomach problems," including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea caused by HIV/AIDS treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite. Other uses include pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, menstrual pain, and other conditions. However, there is not strong evidence to support the use of ginger for these conditions.