Zingiber officinale – Ginger

Zingiber officinale or Ginger is a tropical plant that is commonly used in most kitchens. The pungent taste of ginger offers our recipes a unique flavor. In Asian cultures, Ginger is often used to treat stomach aches, nausea and diarrhea. Ginger can alleviate nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, and pregnancy.

Short term use of ginger can safely relieve pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Using 1 gram daily of ginger for up to 4 days is safe and effective for relieving nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. Studies suggest that ginger effectively reduces the severity and duration of nausea during chemotherapy.

Ginger is also used in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Taking ginger extract twice a day can help reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis.

Common forms of ginger include fresh or dried root, tablets, capsules, liquid extracts (tinctures) and teas. There are few side effects linked to ginger when taken in small doses. Gas, bloating, heartburn and nausea are the most often reported side effects and are most commonly associated with powdered ginger.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a syndrome in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints. It is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage that covers our joints and acts as a cushion. It can also be caused by a decrease in synovial fluid that lubricates our joints. As the joint surfaces loose their protection from the cartilage, the patient experiences pain walking, standing and bearing weight. Decreased movement due to pain may cause atrophy of the regional muscles.

OA is process that takes time to develop and often has no underlying cause. Affecting nearly 21 million people in the United States – this disease accounts for 25% of visits to physicians. The key symptoms of osteoarthritis are morning stiffness of short duration and pain on motion that worsens with increasing joint usage.

Patients with OA should avoid plants from the night shade family: potato, eggplant, tomato, pepper. Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D are all effective helping decrease progression of OA and helping form collagen. Omega 3 essential fatty acids can help decrease inflammation in people suffering from Osteoarthritis.

NSAIDs such as – ibuprofen – often are used to treat osteoarthritis. NSAIDs offer only a small, short term benefit and many studies link NSAIDs to the hastening of progression of osteoarthritis. Long term use of NSAIDs is also linked to intestinal damage.

If you are suffering from joint pain – schedule an appointment today with Dr. Mundeir to get diagnosed and start on a path of wellness.