Ginger isn't just for spicing up your meals, it's a proven healer for a variety of ailments, including knee pain. Various cultures, including Asian, Indian and Arabic, have used ginger medicinally for thousands of years to treat conditions such as arthritis, nausea, colic cold symptoms and diarrhea. However, if you're thinking of using ginger extract to treat knee pain, it's best to consult your doctor first.
Overview of Knee Pain
Knee pain is one of the most common ailments in the United States. It can result from an injury, malformation of the joint or a disease such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout. If you're lucky, knee pain is just a short-term problem. But if it's disease-related, it's often long term and more difficult to treat. If you're in this position, seeking medical attention will provide the best treatment approach, which can include natural remedies such as ginger extract.
How Ginger Helps
Ginger contains several key active ingredients, including volatile oils and phenol compounds such as gingerols, shogaols and zingerone. The actual mechanism of how ginger helps to relieve knee pain is unknown, according to the authors of "55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs." However, they point out it may be partly due to ginger's anti-inflammatory effects, which are related to its ability to trigger production of various inflammation regulators, including eicosanoids, which are also known as "super hormones" that regulate other hormones in the body.
Research
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a common cause of knee pain, as well as other symptoms such as stiffness and loss of joint function. In one study published in the "Journal of Advanced Nursing" in October 2010, researchers investigated the effects of ginger compresses in people with osteoarthritis. They found that the compresses produced a reduction in pain and increased suppleness and joint flexibility. Through exposure to ginger's heat and stimulative, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, they also experienced increased energy and greater relaxation. While the researchers point out that more controlled, larger studies are needed to back up their findings, they also recommend that nurses consider using ginger therapy for osteoarthritis patients.
Using Ginger to Relieve Knee Pain
Ginger extract can be taken orally or used in a compress to treat knee pain. Consult a naturopath or herbalist for advice on creating and using a ginger compress. If taken orally, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends a dose of 2 to 4 g daily and not exceeding this amount. Choose preparations standardized to contain 4 percent volatile oils and 5 percent total pungent compounds such as 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol. It's best to take the extract in divided doses to minimize side effects, which may include heartburn, stomach upset, mouth irritation and diarrhea. If you have a health problem, including a blood disorder or gallstones, consult your doctor before taking ginger extract for knee pain.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
- Civista Health: The Knee
- "55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs"; Heather Boon, B.Sc.Pharm., Ph.D., et al.; 2009
- "Journal of Advanced Nursing"; Ginger Compress Therapy for Adults With Osteoarthritis; T. Therkleson; October 2010
