Arthritis and GingerGinger is an ancient remedy for a number of
diseases. Its efficacy in the treatment of arthritis is due to its
analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.byBrad
ChasePin it00In This Article1 What is Ginger?2 Ginger: Uses,
Supplements and Doses3 Ginger: Safety and Side Effects4 How Ginger
Works For Arthritis5 Research on the Efficacy of Ginger in the
Management of Arthritis6 How to Use Ginger to Treat ArthritisWhat
is Ginger?inger refers to the rhizome ofZingiber officinale.Also
called ginger root, it is the plant stem running underground and
sprouting green leaves and white or yellow-green flowers above
ground. After harvesting, the rhizomes are washed and scalded with
hot water or scraped to prevent new leaves and flowers from
growing.Ginger is extensively used as seasoning, spice, delicacy
and medicine in many Asian cultures. It is related to other known
seasonings such as turmeric and cardamom.Young ginger rhizomes are
edible; they are usually pickled to be eaten as snacks but they can
also be made into candy. Ginger tea is usually made from such
rhizomes. Matured ginger rhizomes are drier and they are the form
of ginger used as spice in different Asian cuisine.Powdered ginger
is more potent than fresh ginger. In fact, 6 parts of fresh ginger
is the equivalent and substitute for 1 part of powdered ginger.The
characteristic odor and taste of ginger is due to its zingerone and
gingerol content. Shagaols which are produced from gingerols when
ginger is cooked or dried can also produce this odor and
flavor.Ginger also contains essential oils such as zingiberene,
citral, cineol, farnesene and bisabolene.Ginger: Uses, Supplements
and DosesMedicinal Properties of Ginger
Sedative Analgesic Antipyretic Antibacterial Antioxidant
Laxative
The antioxidant property of ginger is useful for preventing
damage to cells, tissues and organs in the body. It specifically
regulates the peroxidation of lipids and the release of harmful
free radicals.A new study found ginger extract to be effective for
reducing muscular pain. In this study, ginger was able to reduce
pain by 25% after recent exercises. Ginger has also been indicated
to be helpful for reducing arthritic pain.However, the most common
indication for ginger root is nausea and vomiting associated with
motion sickness, chemotherapy and pregnancy.Early results from
preliminary studies show that ginger may reduce the risk of heart
attack and stroke because it lowers cholesterol levels and prevents
blood from clotting. Ginger is also showing possible anticancer
benefits in in vitro studies.Ginger is sold in food markets as a
cooking spice. It is available both as fresh and dried roots.Fresh
ginger root can be used to prepare ginger tea and the dried root
can serve as an herbal remedy. Ginger oil, obtained from the steam
distillation of the root, is also sold as a supplement.Ginger
supplements take different forms including tincture, capsule,
extracts and oils.Ginger is not recommended for children under the
age of 2. In adults, daily doses of ginger should not exceed 4 g
and the upper limit for pregnant women is 1 g daily. The dose of
ginger for arthritic pain is 250 mg taken 4 times daily.Ginger:
Safety and Side EffectsGinger interferes with some drugs especially
those used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and for
preventing blood clot (anticoagulants such as Coumadin). Therefore,
patients placed on these drugs should consult their doctors before
starting on ginger.Ginger canlower blood sugarlevels, therefore, it
increases the risk of hypoglycemia in patients already taking
diabetes medications. It can also lower blood pressure and prevent
blood from clotting.Lastly, ginger increases the production of
bile. Therefore, it must not be used for patients suffering from
gallstones.Still, the FDA recognizes ginger as safe. It takes a
very high dose to achieve ginger toxicity. The symptoms of this
toxicity are caused by the overstimulation of the central nervous
system. This intoxication occurs at doses exceeding 2 g of ginger
per kg of body weight.Common side effects of therapeutic doses of
ginger involve gastrointestinal symptoms. These include belching,
gas, bloating, nausea, heartburn and diarrhea. Some of these
gastrointestinal side effects can be avoided by taking ginger
capsules instead of extracts, tinctures and oils.Ginger allergy is
also possible and its chief presentation is rash.How Ginger Works
For ArthritisGinger is useful in the management ofosteoarthritisand
rheumatoidarthritisbecause it relieves joint pain and reduces
inflammation. It also has antioxidant properties.These 3 effects of
ginger are interrelated.Studies show that ginger produces its
anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level by inhibiting the
production of inflammatory factors such as COX-2, lipoxygenase and
TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha).In the inflammatory cascade
reaction, arachidonic acid is oxygenated by two enzymes:
cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase. This reaction produces
leukotrienes (LT) and prostaglandins (PG). Of the leukotrienes and
prostaglandin produced, two of them, LTB4 and PGE2, are the major
factors involved in inflammatory processes such as the one that
causes the joint to swell in arthritic patients.Ginger inhibits the
production of LBT4 and PGE2. Therefore, it is described as a dual
inhibitor of eicosanoid (leukotrienes and prostaglandins are
examples of eicosanoids) synthesis.This anti-inflammatory action
explains the efficacy of ginger extracts in the treatment of
arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders.Research on the Efficacy of
Ginger in the Management of ArthritisIn a 1992 study published in
the journal,Medical Hypotheses, all 56 patients who suffered from
rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other muscular disorders
experienced improvement in pain and inflammation while taking
powdered ginger.In the period of treatment with ginger (up to 2.5
years), none of the patients reported adverse effects like they did
with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
corticosteroids and other conventional anti-inflammatory
drugs.Another study done at the University of Miami and published
in the November 2011 issue ofArthritis & Rheumatismreported
similar benefits.In that study, extracts from two ginger species
were taken. These ginger species wereZingiber officinaleandAlpinia
galanga. This concentrated extract was administered to some of the
studys 247 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.The results of
the study showed that patients receiving the combined ginger
extracts experienced more pronounced reduction in knee pain upon
standing and after walking. In addition, the ginger group scored
higher on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WAMU)
Osteoarthritis Composite Index (the standard in outcome test for
arthritis studies) than the control group.A 2005 study published
inThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicineexamined the
effects of these two ginger species on the inflammatory
process.This study was done in vitro on the cells of the synovial
fluids found in the joints. These cells were treated with extracts
fromAlpiniaginger,Zingiberginger and the combination of the two
gingers. At the end of the incubation period, the levels of
chemokines in each batch of the cells were determined.Chemokines
are proinflammatory factors that are secreted in high amounts in
the cells of the synovial fluid to trigger inflammation in the
joints.The results showed that the combination of the two gingers
was the most effective treatment for reducing chemokine levels and
inflammation. Of the two gingers,Zingiber officinalewas more
effective thanAlpinia galanga.How to Use Ginger to Treat
ArthritisGinger capsules are the best forms of the supplements to
take when treating arthritis. They will help reduce the
gastrointestinal side effects of the herb.To further reduce the
chances of such side effects, you should take ginger capsules with
food.Since the best production method that yields the purest ginger
is the super-critical extraction, look for ginger capsules produced
using this method.Ginger snacks and tea do provide ginger when
ingested but at levels that are not enough to produce significant
therapeutic effects. Therefore, you should still take ginger
supplements along with food sources of the herb.Some people do
prefer the taste and odor of ginger. To keep the flavor and reduce
gastrointestinal side effects, you can mix some grated ginger with
food while or after cooking.A ginger oil massage can also be
helpful for relieving joint pain and reducing inflammation. This
kind of massage is common in Japan and it can be easily adapted to
treat arthritis patients. If a massage is unachievable, hot ginger
compresses and bath can be used to treat inflamed, aching
joints.
Next Article:Chondroitin for Arthritis
By brad case
http://www.progressivehealth.com/arthritis-ginger.htm