Ginger for Osteoarthritis and Back Pain

Health and fitness expert, motivational speaker, and wellnessconsultant Susan Smith Jones, PhD, recommends natural ways torejuvenate your health in her new book Walking on Air:

Your 30-Day Inside and Out Rejuvenation Makeover.

by Susan Smith Jones, PhDThe latest research on ginger showed its pain-killing properties forosteoarthritis (OA) are on par with over-the-counter painkillers.While ginger is probably best known for adding flavorto foods, my grandmother recommended it to relievepain. Now there are studies to corroborate her wisdom. In the resultsof one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published inthe November 2000 issue of the journal Arthritis andRheumatism, those 247 people with OA who tookginger extract noticed a reduction in discomfort.In fact, of the patients who took ginger, 63% noticed a reduction inknee pain when they were standing, while only 50% of the placebo groupreported a similar reduction. Wrote the researchers, "A highly purifiedand standardized ginger extract had a statistically significant effecton reducing symptoms of OA of the knee."My grandmother taught me to start the day with a hothug of fresh tea and to add coin slices of fresh gingerto many of my teas. I make a quart of this tea each morning to enjoythroughout the day. While you can use ginger tea bags, it's lessexpensive and fresher to simply slice fresh gingerroot and simmer these ginger coins for about five minutes.Ginger is an anti-inflammatory and gives a warming sensation to thebody. It also soothes the respiratory tract. So if you don't have anypeppermint or spearmint on hand, try a cup of fresh ginger tea afterdinner.For more information, please visit: SusanSmithJones.comand click on Walking on Air.