Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when a waste product known as uric acid builds in the blood and forms needle-like crystals in the joints. It usually affects the bigger joints and is characterized by severe pain and swelling. If you regularly suffer from gout attacks you may need to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce pain and alleviate swelling. You can also help prevent further gout attacks by reducing your alcohol intake and avoiding food rich in purines, for example, organ meats and sweetbreads. Ginger may help alleviate inflammation although studies examining its role in the treatment of gout are lacking. Get medical advice before using medicinal quantities of ginger.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Although commonly used to flavor foods and drinks, Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that it has also been used as a medicinal remedy for thousands of years. It is used as a complementary medicine for a variety of ailments including depression, impotence and migraine headaches. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that it may have anti-inflammatory effects and is sometimes used to alleviate symptoms of arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Effectiveness
Studies examining ginger's efficacy as a gout treatment are limited. However, the results of a study published in the January 2010 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology" show that a chemical found in ginger, known as 6-shogaol, reduces uric acid crystal-induced inflammation. The authors conclude, therefore, that it may be a useful treatment for gouty arthritis. However, the study was carried out in mice, not humans. Further studies are needed in humans to determine whether ginger is an effective gout treatment.
Safety Considerations
Ginger is listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "generally recognized as safe" list. However, RxList states that it may cause mild side effects like stomach discomfort, diarrhea and headache. Ginger is contraindicated in diabetes and bleeding disorders; people with heart conditions should also avoid ginger. It may heighten the effects of anticoagulant drugs and should not be taken alongside diabetes medicines and calcium channel blockers.
Other Potentially Helpful Herbs
The University of Maryland Medical Center cites several herbs that may help reduce gout symptoms including turmeric and cat's claw. Both may help reduce inflammation, although studies evaluating their effectiveness as a gout treatment are lacking. Like ginger, get medical advice before using these herbs to treat your condition as they may cause side effects or might not be suitable for you. For example, cat's claw may cause dizziness and vomiting and should not be used by people with immune system disorders.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Ginger
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Ginger
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; 6-Shogaol Inhibits Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Inflammation-An In Vivo and In Vitro Study; E.P. Sabina, et al., January 2010
- RxList: Ginger
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cat's Claw
