The study was conducted among 74 participants with moderate injury to the flexor elbow muscle, induced in the laboratory. Each received, for 11 days, a supplement of ginger at the rate of 2 g per day, or a placebo. The researchers tested 2 types of preparation: raw dried ginger in capsules and ginger that had been cooked before being dried and put into capsules. These 2 forms of supplements are commonly available commercially.

According to the results, both types of supplements reduced inflammatory pain by approximately 2% compared to placebo. In light of similar trials with non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, the effect of ginger is believed to be greater than that attributed to aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, the researchers note.

The 2 preparations of ginger contain various phenolic compounds, mainly gingerols and shogaol. Compared to raw ginger, the one that has been subjected to heat contains less gingerols and more shogaol. Some herbalists believe that the latter would be more effective in fighting inflammation, which had not, until now, been the subject of systematic clinical trials.

Laboratory-induced muscle inflammation was produced using overload exercise during elbow flexion movements. The participants practiced the exercises, under the supervision of the researchers, until signs appeared to diagnose moderate muscle damage (pain, inflammation, swelling, loss of flexibility, etc.).

Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net

1. Black CD, Herring MP, et al. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Reduces Muscle Pain Caused by Eccentric Exercise, J pain. 2010 Apr 23.