People with arthritis often try various products to help with the inflammation and pain. Surprisingly, relief may be as close as your kitchen or grocery store. Ginger is an herb commonly used to treat nausea and other stomach ailments, but new research shows that ginger may be beneficial for arthritis pain. More research is needed, and ginger may not work for everybody, so ask your doctor if ginger could be beneficial for your arthritis.
About Arthritis
Arthritis causes inflammation of the joints where two bones meet. Arthritis can also inflame surrounding tissues and may be mild or severe, depending on the type of arthritis. There are many kinds of arthritis, but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are most common. Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of wear and tear on the joints due to aging. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues. Most kinds of arthritis cause joint swelling, pain and stiffness of the joint. Arthritis is a chronic disease, so most physicians focus on symptom relief and improved function for daily living.
About Ginger
Ginger has been used for centuries as an herb, spice and medicine for various conditions. Ginger is native to southeastern Asia and has gained popularity through Asian cuisine. The herb can be used as a tincture, capsule, freshly grated or in a powdered form. Because some people cannot tolerate the spicy taste of ginger, powdered ginger has become increasingly popular for health enthusiasts. Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols, which give the herb its distinct flavor and may reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. For this reason, scientists are actively studying the health benefits this herb could offer for arthritis sufferers.
Research
In 2007, the University of Arizona conducted studies on the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger. Results showed that the anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols effectively reduced the production of proinflammatory chemicals that contribute to inflammation. In 2005, a study by Johns Hopkins University revealed that compounds in ginger suppress inflammatory chemicals enough to reduce the need for pain-relieving medications. More research is needed, so ask your doctor if ginger could be beneficial for your condition.
Precautions
Although ginger offers many healthy benefits, the herb is not safe for everyone. Herbs contain natural chemicals that can trigger adverse reactions or interfere with prescription medications. Ginger is believed to interfere with blood clotting factors and may interfere with blood-thinning medications. Tell your surgeon before having any surgical procedures done, because ginger can increase your risk for bleeding. Taking more than 4 g of ginger a day may cause heartburn, diarrhea or mouth irritation. As always, consult your doctor before taking any new supplement.
References
- University of Maryland; Ginger; Steven D. Ehrlich NMD; November 2008
- PubMed Health; Arthritis; Michael E. Makover MD; February 2011
- PubMed.gov; The Effect of Extracts from Ginger Rhizome on Inflammatory Mediator Production; February 2007
- PubMed.gov; Ginger Extract Components Suppress Induction of Chemokine Expression in Human Synoviocytes; February 2005
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