This Ubiquitous Spice Serves Up Healthy Benefits for Joints

A member of the same plant family as cardamom and turmeric, ginger’s sweet, pungent flavor has been an integral component of cuisines throughout the world for thousands of years.

Though ginger’s precise origins are uncertain, it is believed to originate from Southeast Asia. Ginger contains as many as 14 different active phytochemicals, including shogaols, gingerols, ginger essential oil and others, that provide relief from arthritis symptoms [1].

One of the things that makes ginger effective against arthritis is its diverse and powerful range of anti-inflammatory compounds. With so many active constituents, ginger is able to exert a multi-faceted attack that targets numerous components of the inflammation cycle.

Ginger also protects joints by inhibiting tissue-destroying enzymes. In a laboratory experiment, enzymes particular to joint destruction in gout were effectively shut down by exposure to a single ginger compound [8].

An ayurvedic herbal formula containing ginger, black pepper and pippali pepper has also been found to reduce activity of the same enzymes [6].

Advanced stages of RA can impact numerous bodily organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys, as well as impair blood cell production and metabolic activities.

A laboratory animal experiment found that ginger was more effective than the prescription drug indomethacin at protecting against advanced-stage complications of RA [7].

Ginger preserved healthy body weight, promoted production of healthy red and white blood cells and normal blood protein levels and prevented damage to the heart and kidneys.

Stomach ulcers from taking NSAIDS and adrenal suppression from the overuse of steroid drugs cause many arthritis patients to seek alternative medicine solutions.

In a clinical trial of patients with knee osteoarthritis, a combination of ginger with the prescription arthritis drug diclofenac resulted in better symptom improvement than the drug by itself [5].

This means potentially less need for prescription drugs and lower drug side-effect risk for many osteoarthritis patients.

Ginger is generally considered safe with only mild adverse effects such as heartburn and diarrhea.

However, high doses of ginger may have a blood thinning effect [9]. If you take anticoagulant therapy you should consult with your doctor before taking ginger.