Ginger contains active medicinal phytochemicals known as gingerols, shogaol, and paradols. All of these beneficial components possess antioxidants properties. Antioxidants help the body fight off free radicals that can cause cell damage and inflammation. Additionally, gingerol and paradols are also anti-inflammatory (1).
This aromatic spice has been traditionally used in dealing with nausea, motion sickness, and upset stomach as well as in treating and preventing the growth of H pylori, the bacteria responsible for gastric infections and ulcers. Studies showed that the pain-relieving properties of ginger to ibuprofen and a prescription NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) were equally effective (2).
Aside from this, there were also studies showing how regularly eating ginger can help relieve certain pain that comes with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Arthritis refers to conditions that cause inflammation of joints. One of its degenerative types is osteoarthritis which develops when the layers of cartilage that support the joints erode due to aging. In this case, ginger works by lowering down levels of inflammation. It inhibits leukotrienes, inflammatory mediators that play a key role in inflammatory diseases (3).
Furthermore, ginger also contains salicylates, which our body transforms into a chemical substance called salicylic acid. Salicylic acid prevents our nerves from making prostaglandins thus easing pains and discomforts (4).
In a study involving 247 people with osteoarthritis, results revealed that hat those who took ginger capsules twice a day for 6 months had a significantly greater reduction in pain as compared to the control group (5).
When it comes to muscle pain, ginger may also help. Ginger has a very potent anti-inflammatory effect which has been found to reduce muscle pain after intense physical activity (6). The result of a study demonstrated that consumption of either raw or heated ginger caused a moderate to a large reduction in pain following an injury (7).
What’s more? Ginger may also be helpful in proving relief from dysmenorrhea (the medical term for pain before or during menstruation). A study revealed that ginger is more effective than a placebo when it comes to relieving pain in women with dysmenorrhea not caused by pelvic conditions such as endometriosis (8).
In a separate study, ginger was found to be more effective than a placebo in reducing pain severity (9).
How To Use Ginger
Add grated or powdered ginger over a salad or savory dishes.
Grate one to two teaspoons and simmer it in a pot with hot water for five minutes to make a soothing tea.
Sources:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319106#how-does-ginger-work
- https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/treatments/alternative/ginger-turmeric-dynamic-pain-fighting-duo
- https://www.gardenstatepain.com/blog/how-ginger-can-work-to-fight-pain
- https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/ginger
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1529-0131(200111)44:11%3C2531::AID-ART433%3E3.0.CO;2-J
- https://lionedgenutrition.com/fighting-inflammation-with-ginger/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20418184/
- https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/16/12/2243/2460294
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2016/6295737/
Disclaimer
The watching, interacting, and participation of any kind with anything on this page does not constitute or initiate a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Farrah®. None of the statements here have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products of Dr. Farrah® are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information being provided should only be considered for education and entertainment purposes only. If you feel that anything you see or hear may be of value to you on this page or on any other medium of any kind associated with, showing, or quoting anything relating to Dr. Farrah® in any way at any time, you are encouraged to and agree to consult with a licensed healthcare professional in your area to discuss it. If you feel that you’re having a healthcare emergency, seek medical attention immediately. The views expressed here are simply either the views and opinions of Dr. Farrah® or others appearing and are protected under the first amendment.
Dr. Farrah® is a highly experienced Licensed Medical Doctor certified in evidence-based clinical nutrition, not some enthusiast, formulator, or medium promoting the wild and unrestrained use of nutrition products for health issues without clinical experience and scientific evidence of therapeutic benefit. Dr. Farrah® has personally and keenly studied everything she recommends, and more importantly, she’s closely observed the reactions and results in a clinical setting countless times over the course of her career involving the treatment of over 150,000 patients.
Dr. Farrah® promotes evidence-based natural approaches to health, which means integrating her individual scientific and clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. By individual clinical expertise, I refer to the proficiency and judgment that individual clinicians acquire through clinical experience and clinical practice.
Dr. Farrah® does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of any multimedia content provided. Dr. Farrah® does not warrant the performance, effectiveness, or applicability of any sites listed, linked, or referenced to, in, or by any multimedia content.
To be clear, the multimedia content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any website, video, image, or media of any kind.
Dr. Farrah® hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.
