Could Ginger Be the Next Natural Pain Reliever?
Written by Susan Parker | Updated on May 28, 2025
Reviewed by Susan Parker
11 sources cited
When it comes to preparing flavorful sauces, unique desserts, or soothing beverages, the widespread use of ginger in our culinary creations is not only beneficial for its taste but also for its healing properties. Recent studies indicate that ginger can enhance digestion, alleviate nausea symptoms, and reduce pain and inflammation.
Overview
- Ginger is effective in reducing NETosis, a process that triggers inflammation and immune system overactivity.
- Enhancing blood circulation and supporting a healthier immune system, ginger counteracts the hyperactivity of certain white blood cells.
- Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties show promise as a potential natural remedy for managing pain and inflammation.
Ginger's Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
The natural health community has long celebrated ginger for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, for mainstream medical professionals to recognize its benefits, they require scientific evidence on how ginger specifically reduces inflammation. A groundbreaking study has now provided this evidence.
Over 70 million prescriptions for Non-Steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are issued annually in the United States, with over 30 billion doses taken through prescription and over-the-counter use. This significant usage leads to various complications and adverse reactions, accounting for a substantial portion of hospital admissions due to issues like bleeding, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage.
Given these concerns, many individuals seek safer, natural alternatives. Researchers at the University of Michigan conducted a study to understand the mechanisms through which ginger operates, enabling informed discussions between doctors and patients regarding the potential benefits of ginger supplements.
NETosis and its Impact on Immune System Activity
A prior study by the research team demonstrated that injecting mice with a purified form of 6-gingerol, the primary bioactive compound in ginger root, could mitigate the overactivity of neutrophils in an excessively active immune system. In their latest investigations, they explored how oral consumption of whole ginger extract affected neutrophils in mice with immune system hyperactivity and healthy human subjects.
Of particular interest was the extract's influence on neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, a process known as NETosis, which contributes to immune system overactivity through the production of microscopic inflammatory structures. Administering ginger extract orally to mice with immune system hyperactivity resulted in reduced circulating NETs, accompanied by improved blood flow and immune system functionality.
The question remained: would humans exhibit a similar neutrophil response?
Ginger's Impact on NETosis in Humans
In an initial human trial, researchers isolated neutrophils from healthy volunteers' blood and treated them with different stimuli in the presence of varying ginger concentrations for three hours. The results showed suppression of NETosis, even when tested against autoantibodies from individuals with immune system hyperactivity.
In a subsequent experiment, nine volunteers with an average age of 27 consumed a daily supplement containing 100 mg of ginger (equivalent to 20 mg of gingerols) for seven days. This supplementation elevated levels of cAMP, a chemical within neutrophils, which subsequently inhibited NETosis in response to various relevant stimuli.
Dr. Kristen Demoruelle, MD, PhD, one of the senior authors, noted, "Ginger appears to help control NETosis, which is crucial in managing inflammation and symptoms for individuals with an overactive immune system."
Potential as a Future Pain Reliever
Dr. Jason Knight, MD, PhD, another senior author, remarked, "Our research has provided the first evidence of the biological mechanism behind ginger's anti-inflammatory properties in humans."
He added, "Few natural supplements or even prescription medications are known to combat overactive neutrophils. Ginger shows promise in complementing existing treatment strategies, aiming for more personalized relief of symptoms."
Our Insight
The study findings are expected to facilitate discussions between healthcare providers and patients regarding the potential use of ginger supplements for alleviating inflammatory conditions and immune system irregularities. We believe this is a positive step and will continue to monitor developments in this area.
Summary
Recent research emphasizes the potent anti-inflammatory effects of ginger and its role as a natural alternative to NSAIDs. A study by the University of Michigan revealed that ginger suppresses NETosis, a process associated with inflammation and immune system hyperactivity. Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties and enhancement of blood circulation hold promise for naturally and safely treating inflammatory conditions.
