Ginger for Arthritis Pain

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has long been used for it's medicinal properties. Recent studies; however, show that ginger could also be an effective treatment for the relief of arthritis pain.

Ginger has been classified as antiemetic, cardiotonic, antithrombotic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitussive, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, spasmolytic, immunostimulant, carminative, and cholagogue actions. Ginger is used to promote gastric secretions, increase intestinal peristalsis, lower cholesterol levels, raise blood glucose, and stimulate peripheral circulation. In traditional medicine ginger has been used to stimulate digestion, its modern uses include prophylaxis for nausea and vomiting (associated with motion sickness, hypermesis gravidarum, and anesthesia), dyspepsia, lack of appetite, anorexia, colic, bronchitis, and rheumatic complaints, and frequently used for dyspepsia and colic. 

In a recent clinical trial a pill containing extracts of the root spice has proved to be as effective as conventional painkillers. Scientists at the University of Miami Medical School tested a highly-concentrated ginger supplement on 250 people with osteoarthritis, the most common form of the condition. Each was suffering from moderate to severe pain.

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Over a six week period, some were given a 255 milligram dose of the dietary supplement twice a day. The rest were given a placebo. The results revealed that two-thirds of those given the ginger pills reported relief from pain - significantly more than those taking the placebo.

Bigger improvements

The ginger group also reported bigger improvements in their levels of pain.

Professor Altman, who is based at the University of Miami Medical School, said: "The effect is similar to that seen with trials using conventional drugs."

Arthritis is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. But these can be associated with severe side effects.

A spokesperson for the Arthritis Research Campaign has stated that ginger was already taken by some arthritis patients for its mild anti-inflammatory effects.

"The study in question involved only a small number of people over a six week period, and we think a bigger trial over a much longer period of time would need to be conducted before any claims as to the reliability of the product's efficacy were taken too seriously.

"There may also be side effects and interactions with other drugs which this study did not address, and the safety of the product would also need to be assessed more fully."

Common condition

Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of joint disease.

It is generally considered to be due to "wear and tear" of the joints leading to damage of the joint surfaces which gives pain on movement.

The condition is very common in older age groups, but can affect younger people too.

There are many factors that influence its development, including a family history and previous damage to the joint through injury or surgery.

The research is published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.