Ginger and Contractions In alternative medicine, ginger has a reputation as a spice capable of bringing on a period. Ginger seems to increase peristalsis -- the intestinal contractions that move food through the gastrointestinal tract. There is no clinical evidence, however, that ginger can induce menstruation, cause a miscarriage or start labor. In amounts greater than 5 grams per day, ginger could cause diarrhea, which might irritate the uterus temporarily. However, diarrhea will not stimulate labor contractions unless your uterus is already gearing up for labor.