How does it work? Some laboratory and animals studies have found ginger extracts can reduce the production of several chemical substances (including leukotrienes) that promote joint inflammation. Ginger also contains salicylates, which your body transforms into a chemical substance called salicylic acid.
Recent studies have also suggested ginger can help reduce the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, hormones that cause pain in people with arthritis. Gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone, which are present in ginger, can help reduce swelling and inflammation associated with arthritis.
Furthermore, ginger compounds such as 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin E2, NO, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β)), and pro-inflammatory transcription factor (NF-κB).
Ginger and Osteoarthritis
Black pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin, and the researchers thought adding ginger might help even more. They were right. The herbal combo was just as effective as naproxen in reducing inflammation and pain in knee OA when taken twice a day for four weeks.
Experts say that consuming up to 4 g of ginger a day may help manage pain and inflammation and is likely safe. A person might consume ginger in foods and drinks, take ginger capsules, or use a cream that contains it.
Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.
In theory, ginger can reduce the activity of several chemical substances that promote joint inflammation. Results from RCTs assessing its role in treating participants with osteoarthritis found that it has a high safety profile and can have moderately beneficial effects in reducing pain and disability.
Ginger tea has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, and has been used for centuries in herbal medicine for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects,. Recent studies back up claims that ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
In contrast to aspirin or ibuprofen-type drugs, ginger, which has anti-nausea properties, may actually improve GI function. Ginger extracts (e.g., the powdered ginger spice readily available in grocery stores) have been found to be “clinically effective” pain-reducing agents with a better safety profile than NSAIDs.
Ginger has powerful components that lower blood sugar levels and prevent heart disease. Eating ginger every day can regulate the production of insulin in patients with diabetes. Due to the cholesterol-lowering abilities in ginger, it prevents heart-related diseases and strokes.
Ginger powder supplementation at a dose of 1 gram/day can reduce inflammatory markers in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and it thus can be recommended as a suitable supplement for these patients.
Minor inflammation often responds well to cold compresses and OTC pain relievers. More severe inflammation may require treatment with corticosteroids taken orally or injected into the joint.
Ginger. This spice, widely used in Asian cooking, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions too, as well as significant amounts of potassium, magnesium, selenium, and phosphorus — all good for bone health. Make it into a tea, or slice it thinly and cook it in stir fry or with fish.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and then reduce the heat. Add the ginger into the water and allow it to soak for at least five minutes. Place a small towel into the ginger water and carefully wring out the excess. Apply the towel directly to the affected area and cover with another dry towel to hold in the heat.
Ginger tea can be consumed at any time of day. It works well as a pick-me-up first thing in the morning, but you may also find it helps after a meal to ease digestion. You can add fresh lemon or honey, or buy different flavoured tea bags, such as lemon and ginger or ginger green tea.
The researchers determined that dried ginger, followed by fresh ginger and powdered ginger tea had the highest concentrations of gingerol. One study that the review analyzed included 576 adult cancer patients. The scientists found that doses of 0.5 grams (g) and 1.0 g were most effective at reducing nausea.
Many of ginger's vitamins and minerals are heat-sensitive. Accordingly, eating ginger raw is the best way to get the most out of it.
It is rare to have side effects from ginger. In high doses it may cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth. You may be able to avoid some of the mild stomach side effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset, by taking ginger supplements in capsules or taking ginger with meals.
The root has been found to help provide relief from the many symptoms of PMS, whether related to mood, cramping or fatigue[2]. It also can help ease abdominal discomfort and bloating once a woman's period arrives, thanks to its ability to mediate a healthy inflammatory response.
Teas and infusions are made by adding boiling water to fresh or dried plant products – stems, leaves or flowers – and steeping them to release their active ingredients. Willow bark and ginger are two teas used for arthritis because of their anti-inflammatory properties.