Ginger Rub: My Newly Found Arthritic Pain Reliever

For the longest time, I have been using that green oil that contains methyl salicylate+menthol for leg cramps, stiff painful knees, etc.

Now, I found Ginger Rub — it contains methyl salicylate+menthol too but in addition has ginger extract or gingerol(s).

According to label of this Ginger Rub that I have now, the properties are:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Strong Circulation Stimulant
• Analgesic
• Antipyretic
• Antioxidant
• Anti-bacterial
• Has soothing and muscle relaxing properties
• Rejuvenating and anti-ageing
• Refirming and energizing
• Insect repellant

I don’t know about the anti-aging, rejuvenating bit…I am just concerned about the soothing and muscle relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties — and of course the strong circulation stimulant.

Before, I knew ginger as a good lozenge — that’s anti-bacterial right? But I didn’t know about its anti-inflammatory, circulation stimulant capabilities.

What are gingerols or ginger extract anyway?

According to wikipedia:

Gingerol, or sometimes [6]-gingerol, is the active constituent of fresh ginger. Chemically, gingerol is a relative of capsaicin, the compound that gives chile peppers their spiciness. It is normally found as a pungent yellow oil, but also can form a low-melting crystalline solid.

Cooking ginger transforms gingerol into zingerone, which is less pungent and has a spicy-sweet aroma.

Gingerol may reduce nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy and may also relieve migraine.

According to WHFoods, on ginger:

Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract).

Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

We all know ginger as a spice used for cooking throughout the world I particularly like it because it removes the “bad” odor in meat or chicken. And of course, who doen’st like the sweet spicy aroma of ginger?

So I won’t complain if ginger extracts are included in methyl salicylate+menthol home remedies for arthritic pain. I have been using this ginger rub for more than a week and it trumped all the beneficial effects I got from methyl salicylate+menthol alone.

Somebody told me that ginger tea is good for people with gout. Hmmm…must really be the anti-inflammatory properties that are good for the joints. I haven’t heard any side effects yet, so I guess it wouldn’t harm to try it.

Besides, this ginger rub is for external use only. I’ve yet to encounter ginger tea. Or maybe I should just boil ginger? Gingerale anyone? OR is that gingerade?

What do you think? Have you tried ginger against arthritis?