Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid and usually affects a single joint, commonly the big toe, although it can affect other joints. Gout is more common in men than women and is characterized by extreme pain, swelling and stiffness in the affected joint. If you regularly suffer from gout, your doctor will likely give you non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain and swelling. The herb ginger might also help to reduce inflammation, although evidence to prove it is an effective gout treatment is limited. Get medical advice before using herbal supplements.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale, is commonly used to flavor foods and is also sometimes used as a medicinal remedy for a variety of ailments including motion sickness, rheumatoid arthritis, diarrhea and spasms. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it might have anti-inflammatory effects, which may be because two of its constituents known as shogaol and gingerol, found in the rhizome.
Administration
Ginger can be taken in several ways. It can be eaten raw, or taken as a tea or in capsules or tablets. Because ginger is not a proven gout treatment, guidance regarding the amount required to alleviate symptoms is lacking. However, the Mississippi Baptist Health System states that for most purposes, the usual dose is 1 g to 4 g daily taken in divided doses.
Effectiveness
Clinical studies evaluating ginger's efficacy as a gout treatment are lacking; therefore, it is difficult to say whether taking ginger is likely to be beneficial for gout sufferers. However, the results of an animal-based study, published in the January 2010 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology" show that one of ginger's active ingredients, shogaol, reduces urate crystal-induced inflammation. The authors conclude, therefore, that this compound may be a useful tool in the treatment of gout. Human-based studies are needed to confirm these effects.
Safety Considerations
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems states that ginger is listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's generally recognized as safe list. However, it might cause side effects including dermatitis and heartburn. It might also heighten the effects of other medicines that you may be taking, including anticoagulants, for example, aspirin and warfarin, and diabetes medicines. Do not use medicinal quantities of ginger if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney or liver disease.
