Ginger essential oil found to protect joint health in arthritic patients

Researchers from The University of Arizona and The University of Kansas have found that ginger essential oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help prevent and treat chronic joint inflammation. In their study, which was published in the journal PharmaNutrition, researchers examined the anti-arthritic effects of ginger essential oil and gingerols in experimental models.

• Ginger and its extracts have been used as anti-inflammatory remedies in traditional medicine.
• Ginger and its phenolic secondary metabolites called gingerols were previously shown to have potent anti-arthritic effects in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis.
• In the current study, the researchers assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger essential oil in female mice with arthritis.
• The essential oil of ginger contains terpenes with reported phytoestrogenic activity.
• Then, they treated the mice with ginger essential oil.
• The results revealed that the administration of ginger essential oil prevented chronic joint inflammation.
• The anti-arthritic effects of ginger essential oil were similar to those of 17-beta estradiol.
• However, ginger essential oil did not exhibit any effect on estrogen-responsive organs.
• Nonetheless, ginger essential oil was tolerated well.

Overall, the findings of the suggest that ginger essential oil and gingerols may possess joint-protective effects in arthritis.

To read more studies on natural treatments for joint inflammation, visit AlternativeMedicine.news today.

Journal Reference:

Funk JL, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, Chen J, Zhang H, Timmermann BN. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF THE ESSENTIAL OILS OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE) IN EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. PharmaNutrition. July 2016; 4(3): 123-131. DOI: 10.1016/j.phanu.2016.02.004