Ginger has had uses for centuries medicinally in India and Asia, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Chinese herbalists have used ginger for digestion problems as well as stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea, heart conditions and colic. Herbalists may holistically treat tendonitis and inflammation of your tendons with ginger. Ginger stops the inflammation and brings comfort to you by stopping the pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved ginger as a medicine. Before starting any supplement, talk to your doctor to obtain advice about it.
Tendonitis
You may injure your shoulder or arm and then notice you have severe pain when you move your arm. Swelling will occur along with severe, sometimes intolerable pain, Gale Malesky relates in her text, "The Definitive Guide to Health Supplements." Baseball and tennis players suffer from this type of tendon inflammation. Using your arm and shoulder for long periods, such as when lifting and moving heavy boxes, also can cause tendon strain.
Pain and Inflammation Reducer
Ginger regulates two types of chemicals responsible for inflammation of your tendons: cyclo-oxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase, according to Malesky in her book. Ginger inhibits these two enzymes and counteracts the inflammation and pain associated with their negative effects. Ginger provides quick relief from this type of painful inflammation. You can take ginger internally or rub ginger oil into the painful tendon area. You can use ginger for chronic pain. Malesky says it produces less toxicity then acetaminophen. Ginger may replace anti-inflammatory medications that contain aspirin-type substances that can cause stomach ulcers and further health issues. Ask your physician about it first, however.
Cooking With Ginger
Adding ginger to your food can help many ailments, such as inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. You can use the actual herb, which is available in most grocery stores. It is a popular ingredient in Asian cooking and other types of cuisine. The herb, which you slice and place in food, works better for healing than the powdered type you find in the spice aisle. It tastes better, too. You can benefit from its natural influence that promotes better health in your body. It is a natural help for motion sickness you may experience in a long car ride or plane trip, Mother Earth News indicates.
Drug Interactions
Before starting a ginger supplement, talk to your doctor. If you take blood pressure medications you may find their effects altered by ginger. Ginger naturally causes your blood pressure to lower. Your blood pressure may become too low if you already using medications to lower your blood pressure. Medications to treat increased blood pressure include diltiazem, verapamil, felodipine and nifedipine.
References
- MedlinePlus: Ginger
- "The Definitive Guide to Health Supplements"; Gale Malesky, et al.;1999
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Tendonitis
- Mother Earth News: Ginger
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
