Can Ginger and Turmeric Help Fight Pain and Sickness?

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Ginger and turmeric are two of the ingredients that have been studied as herbs. Both have been used for centuries to treat conditions ranging from migraines to chronic inflammation. In addition, they are used to help relieve pain, reduce nausea, and boost the immune system.

1. What is Ginger and Turmeric?

Ginger and turmeric are two flowering plants widely used in natural medicine. Ginger is native to Southeast Asia and has long been used as a natural remedy for various health conditions. Its medicinal properties are mainly due to the presence of phenolic compounds including gingerol, a chemical believed to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Turmeric is often used as a spice in Indian cooking. It contains the compound curcumin, which has been shown to aid in the treatment and prevention of a number of chronic diseases. Both ginger and turmeric can be used fresh, dried or ground when added to dishes.

2. The use of turmeric and ginger has properties to help relieve pain and disease

Although, there is still limited evidence for the benefits of turmeric and ginger when used together, studies have also shown that both are effective in reducing pain and illness.
2.1. Reducing inflammation Chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in the development of health conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. What's more, it can worsen symptoms associated with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Ginger and turmeric have strong anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help relieve pain and protect against disease. A study done in 120 people with osteoarthritis found that taking 1 gram of ginger extract per day for about 3 months effectively reduced inflammation as well as reduced levels of nitric oxide, which is a chemical molecule. plays a major role in the inflammatory process. Similarly, a review of 9 studies found that taking 1 to 3 grams of ginger daily for 6 to 12 weeks also reduced levels of the reactive protein C9CRP), which is a marker of inflammation.

Meanwhile, test-tube and human studies indicate that turmeric extract can reduce several markers of inflammation. Some studies also note that it can be as effective as anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen and aspirin.
Or a review of 15 studies also found that turmeric supplementation can reduce levels of CRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA), all of which are used to measure inflammation in the body. body.

2.2. Pain Relief Both ginger and turmeric have been studied for their ability to help relieve chronic pain. Studies show that the compound curcumin in turmeric is especially effective in reducing pain caused by arthritis. In fact, a review of 8 studies found that taking 1,000 mg of curcumin was as effective in reducing joint pain as some pain medications in people with arthritis. Another study in 40 people with osteoarthritis found that taking 1,500 mg of curcumin per day significantly reduced pain and improved physical function compared to those taking a placebo.
Ginger has also been shown to reduce chronic pain associated with arthritis, along with a number of other conditions. In a 5-day study in 120 women, taking 500 mg of ginger root powder 3 times daily reduced the intensity and duration of menstrual pain. Or another study conducted in 74 people showed that taking 2 grams of ginger for 11 days significantly reduced body pain caused by exercise.

2.3 Support immune function Many people use turmeric and ginger at the first signs of illness in hopes of boosting immune function and possibly fighting off cold or flu symptoms.
Several studies have shown that ginger possesses powerful immune-boosting properties. Or a test-tube study also showed that fresh ginger was effective against human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) - which can cause respiratory infections in almost everyone, such as infants and children. and adults. Another test-tube study also showed that ginger extract blocked the growth of certain strains of respiratory pathogens.
Similarly, animal and test-tube studies have also shown that curcumin in turmeric also has antiviral properties and may help reduce the severity of influenza A virus.

Both turmeric and ginger can reduce inflammation levels, which may help improve immune function. However, most research is limited to test-tube and animal studies using concentrated doses of turmeric or ginger. Therefore, more research is needed to determine how each might affect human immune health when consumed in normal food amounts.
2.4. Relieves Nausea Several observational studies have suggested that ginger may be an effective natural remedy for soothing the stomach and helping with nausea. In a study done in 170 women, it was found that taking 1 gram of ginger powder daily for 1 week was as effective in reducing pregnancy-related nausea as a common anti-nausea medication, but less so. more side effects.
Or a review of 5 studies also found similar results, taking at least 1 gram of ginger per day can significantly reduce nausea and vomiting after surgery. Another study found that ginger can reduce nausea caused by motion sickness, chemotherapy, and certain digestive disorders.
Even so, more research is needed to evaluate turmeric's effects on nausea, but some studies have found that it may protect against chemotherapy-induced digestive problems. , which can help relieve symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Some Potential Side Effects

When used in moderation, both ginger and turmeric are considered safe and healthy additions to a well-rounded diet. However, it still has some potential side effects that should be considered.
A study has found that ginger can reduce blood clotting while also interfering with blood thinners when used in large amounts. Furthermore, ginger can affect blood sugar levels, so people taking medication to lower their sugar levels should consult a specialist before taking this supplement.
Turmeric powder is only made up of about 3% curcumin by weight, so it needs to be consumed in large amounts to see its benefits. However, when used in high doses, curcumin has been associated with side effects such as rash, headache, and diarrhea.
Although research on the potential health effects of both ginger and turmeric is abundant, the evidence for the effects of these two roots being used together is limited. To be sure before supplementing, you should consult with experts.

4. How to use ginger and turmeric

There are many ways to add ginger and turmeric to your diet to reap the many health benefits that each of these roots offers. These two root ingredients can work well together in salads, stir-fries and sauces to add flavor and health benefits to recipes.
Fresh ginger can be used as a tea, or added to soups, smoothies, curries. Ginger root extract is also available in supplement form and has been shown to be most effective at 1,500 - 2,000 mg daily.
And turmeric can increase the color and attractiveness of the dish. Turmeric supplements can provide concentrated curcumin and taken in doses of 500mg twice daily to reduce pain and inflammation.
In a nutshell, several promising studies have found that ginger and turmeric can have powerful effects on nausea, pain, inflammation, and immune function. However, there is still a lack of evidence for the effects of the two used together, and furthermore the majority of current research is limited to the laboratory.

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Reference source: healthline.com