As we get into the winter season, the common refrain of holiday foods coming to kill us is once more heard. While there are many high fat, high sugar delicacies that may help to do so, there are a few choices we can make that may have some benefits. Gingerbread, a fragrant favorite of the season, maybe one choice. Ginger has been found to have several benefits, one of them possibly being decreasing the pain from osteoarthritis or other causes. This recipe listed here calls for a half cup (24 teaspoons) of fresh ginger, a significant amount. Studies using it for pain control use a teaspoon per day, though no study addressed using gingerbread as a delivery vector. In my chiropractic/physical therapy practice in Silver Spring MD, I have some of the same reservations about using herbs for pain that I do for medication. It's wonderful for people to be pain free, but it's important to first know the cause and significance of your pain. This is best done by coming to see a doctor who focuses on musculoskeletal care, which I and the other doctors of ABC clinics do. But any excuse to make gingerbread is a good excuse.
Warnings: Individuals who have had ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or blocked intestines should use ginger supplements cautiously and should avoid large amounts of freshly cut ginger. People with gallstones should use ginger with caution. While ginger has been used in studies for morning sickness without advserse effects seen, it should not be used in large doses during pregnancy without consulting your doctor. There is a theoretical blood thinning effect possible, though no incidences of this have been reported, but people on blood thinners or who have blood clotting conditions should consult their doctor about using ginger regularly.
References:
Altman RD, Marcussen KC. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2001;44(11):2531-2538.
Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders. Medical Hypotheses. 1992;39:343-348.Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders. Medical Hypotheses. 1992;39:343-348.
http://www.ams.ac.ir/AIM/0584/006.pdf
White B. Ginger: an overview. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(11):1689-91.
Warnings: Individuals who have had ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or blocked intestines should use ginger supplements cautiously and should avoid large amounts of freshly cut ginger. People with gallstones should use ginger with caution. While ginger has been used in studies for morning sickness without advserse effects seen, it should not be used in large doses during pregnancy without consulting your doctor. There is a theoretical blood thinning effect possible, though no incidences of this have been reported, but people on blood thinners or who have blood clotting conditions should consult their doctor about using ginger regularly.
References:
Altman RD, Marcussen KC. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2001;44(11):2531-2538.
Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders. Medical Hypotheses. 1992;39:343-348.Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders. Medical Hypotheses. 1992;39:343-348.
http://www.ams.ac.ir/AIM/0584/006.pdf
White B. Ginger: an overview. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(11):1689-91.
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