Ginger is a warming, fragrant spice made from the rhizome of a plant. It’s often chopped or powdered for cooking, preserved in syrup or candied and is native to South East Asia.

A new study published in the Arthritis Journal has revealed the power of ginger in reducing the sensation of pain.

The study compared ginger extract to the common drugs betamethasone (cortisone) and ibuprofen which are used to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion: Ginger is superior to common anti-inflammatory, pain medications.

Ginger extract was able to reduce cytokines, which are responsible for stimulating inflammation and pain, as effectively as betamethasone. Ginger also had less serious side effects than pain-relieving betamethasone, which can be associated with headaches, weight gain, depression, seizures, high blood pressure and more.

Unlike cortisone drugs, Ibuprofen type drugs such as Advil work to block the formation of inflammatory compounds and have no effect on cytokine production.

When compared, Ginger extract was found to be superior to ibuprofen as it not only blocked inflammatory compounds but it also helped to break down existing inflammation and acidity within the joints.

A similar study on the therapeutic effects of spices by Dr Krishna C. Srivastava, at the Odense University in Denmark also found ginger to be an effective and superior anti-pain remedy. The study revealed that patients that were given 5g of fresh ginger or 1g of powdered ginger daily for three months had vast improvements in pain, swelling and morning stiffness.

Incorporating ginger into your diet is both affordable and easy. Here are a few suggestions:

– Add chopped fresh ginger to soups, casseroles, marinades and stir fries

– Add fresh grated ginger to your juices