Written by Patrick B. Massey, M.D., Ph.D. In a study of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who took 1 gram of ginger a day had a reduction in pain and knee swelling, as well as a significant increase in knee function.
Knee pain from arthritis is one of the most common medical problems in the US today. Treatment options include pain medications, knee injections, physical therapy and surgery.
As we continue to age, there will be an increased demand for good pain relief. However, rising medical costs may ultimately limit access to newer medications, physical therapy and invasive procedures.
Inexpensive and safe dietary supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) have been shown to reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis. A common spice – ginger – may soon be added to that list. In a recent study in the journal OsteoArthritis and Cartilage, ginger was shown to be effective in reducing arthritis-related knee pain and increasing function.
Ginger comes from the root of the plant Zingiber officinale. It has been used as a spice, condiment and medicine for more than 2,500 years. Today, ginger is available as a spice, raw, pickled and in a capsule form at grocery and health food stores.
The active ingredient in ginger is an oil called gingerol. It accounts for the aroma as well as the therapeutic properties.
Historically, ginger has been used as a treatment for the nausea associated with motion sickness and following surgery. It also reduces platelet stickiness, but only at very high doses (more than 10 grams a day).
Twenty-nine patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were enrolled in a double blinded, crossover study. Some of the patients took 1 gram of ginger a day. The study authors followed levels of pain, function and swelling of the knee. Only the patients taking ginger had a reduction in pain and knee swelling. They also had a significant increase in knee function.
These results go beyond simply reducing pain. Patients whose knees hurt are often limited in their ability to exercise. The sedentary lifestyle associated with knee pain can lead to serious, life threatening conditions such as heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Ginger is not without potential side effects. Pharmacological studies suggest that very large doses (more than 10 grams a day) might lead to sleepiness or cardiac arrhythmias. Ginger should not be used for morning sickness during pregnancy because it may cause premature labor. Daily consumption of high doses of ginger root may also interfere with the absorption of iron and fat-soluble vitamins and affect blood levels of a number of medications such as digoxin, isoniazid, dilantin, coumadin and some antidepressants.
But since ginger is inexpensive and, at lower doses, has few side effects, its potential to relieve knee pain from arthritis is exciting.
Is ginger better than medications or other dietary supplements? We don’t know. Future research could include comparisons to pain medications and dietary supplements like glucosamine. One area of interest would be evaluating specific combinations, such as ginger and glucosamine. I have seen very good relief of knee pain for my arthritis patients when I prescribe combinations of pain medications and glucosamine. Ginger may also be an option.
