USA: Ginger effective tool in arthritis pain reduction

The root spice ginger could prove to be as effective as common painkillers in the treatment of arthritis, according to scientists at the University of Miami Medical School . Rheumatologist Professor Ray Altman led a clinical trial into pain reduction through pills containing ginger. The study involved 250 people suffering moderate to severe pain through osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Over the course of six weeks, the participants were given either a placebo or a 255mg dose of ginger twice daily.

November 21, 2001

The root spice ginger could prove to be as effective as common painkillers in the treatment of arthritis, according to scientists at the University of Miami Medical School.

Rheumatologist Professor Ray Altman led a clinical trial into pain reduction through pills containing ginger. The study involved 250 people suffering moderate to severe pain through osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Over the course of six weeks, the participants were given either a placebo or a 255mg dose of ginger twice daily.

Reporting his findings in the Arthritis and Rheumatism journal, Altman concluded that two thirds of arthritis sufferers could benefit from a highly concentrated supplement: “The effect is similar to that seen with trials using conventional drugs.”

Sufferers have welcomed the news as conventional, anti-inflammatory drugs often have severe side effects.