<p>In this study, a green method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using <i>Zingiber officinale</i> (ginger) leaf extract as both a biogenic reducing and stabilizing agent is presented. The aqueous extract of the leaf, which is rich in phytochemicals in the form of gingerols, shogaols, zingerone, and flavonoids, was found to be effective in the reduction of Ag⁺ ions to elemental Ag⁰ due to redox reactions and the presence of functional groups (OH, COOH, and NH₂). The Ag⁰ atoms were nucleated and aggregated to produce well-dispersed AgNPs, and the phytochemical capping prevented the agglomeration and improved the colloidal stability. The optimization of synthesis was done by changing the extract volume (10–30 mL), and the nanoparticles were fully characterized through UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), FTIR, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The UV-Vis and PL characterization indicated the best formation and crystallinity of AgNPs at 20–25 mL of extracts, and TEM indicated uniform spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 20.8 +/- 0.5&#xa0;nm. FTIR proved that bioactive functional groups were involved in reduction and stabilization. The antibacterial effect was tested using the agar well diffusion technique, whereby considerable inhibitory zones were observed against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli due to multi-mechanistic effects such as membrane disruption, ROS production, enzyme inhibition, and DNA interference. The findings validate the prospects of ginger leaf extract as a sustainable, economical reagent to produce environmentally friendly, stable, biofunctional AgNPs to be used in antimicrobial and biomedical applications.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>