We set out to find an all-natural but powerful pain reliever that would work on all types of pain.
No matter what the ache, we wondered if there was a drug-free solution that could address them all:
- knee pain
- arthritis pain
- back pain
- neck pain
- YOUR pain
And we found it in, of all places, the ugly rootlike stem of an ancient Asian plant!
More on that strange root in a moment, but first I want to tell you just a little bit about the man behind the study that introduced this powerful pain reliever to us.
The study comes from Dr. Roy Davis Altman. He earned the distinction of Super Doctor back in 2011. Super Doctors are recognized as leaders in their fields.
Dr. Altman received his degree in internal medicine and rheumatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He now practices at UCLA Medical Center. And he’s a founding member of the Osteoarthritis Research Society.
In other words, Dr. A. has got the chops when it comes to knowing all about pain management.
His study had a clear objective: “To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized and highly concentrated extract of two [stem] species… in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.”
Stemming the pain with a simple stem
Dr. Altman tested 247 patients over the course of six weeks. They all had moderate to severe pain. Patients either received the extract or a placebo twice every day.
“The percentage of responders experiencing a reduction in knee pain on standing was superior in the extract group compared with the control group,” reported the study.
The extract group also reported greater improvements in pain levels.
The study’s conclusion: “A highly purified and standardized [stem] extract had a statistically significant effect on reducing symptoms of OA of the knee.”
Dr. Itamar Grotto had similar results. He’s an associate professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. He’s published over 80 peer-reviewed articles. For this study, he teamed with colleagues at Tel Aviv University.
At first, study participants didn’t have much difference in pain. But after six months, the “extract group showed a significant superiority over the placebo group.”
The swelling in their knees significantly decreased too, according to the study published in the journal Osteoarthritis Cartilage.
Then the extract group was switched to the placebo. Their knees swelled up again! A clear sign that the extract was working.
Alternative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil says the plant that the extract was made from is a “natural anti-inflammatory that is worth trying in all cases of arthritis, bursitis, and other musculoskeletal ailments.”
So what’s stopping the arthritis pain in it’s tracks?
It’s native to Asia. Cooks have used as a spice for at least 4,400 years.
It’s ginger.
If you’re a sushi fan you might already be familiar with this tasty plant. And yes, it is the same flavoring used in real ginger ale.
The potent anti-inflammatory components in ginger are called gingerols. They’re the reason it reduces swelling. And the reduction in swelling is the reason for the reduction in pain (and improved mobility) in people with arthritis.
Ginger also has a warming effect. So it comforts sore joints while it heals.
The antioxidants in ginger help clear the joints of impurities allowing fresh blood to flow into the painful areas.
Are we looking at the ancient future of pain relief?
Dr. Altman’s team noted that “Present-day therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee is directed at symptoms, since there is no established disease-modifying therapy.”
Many arthritis sufferers turn to painkillers. But those drugs don’t eliminate the inflammation. They slow down the receptors in the brain that sense pain. So you just don’t think it hurts anymore.
That’s another reason to make ginger your go-to arthritis “med.” It’s more than a painkiller. It reduces the swelling that causes the pain.
Ginger is available in many forms. Their are capsules with powdered ginger extracts as well as pure ginger extract liquids .
Dr. Andrew Weil recommends one or two grams of powdered ginger a day. Whatever you choose, make sure you get 100% pure ginger.
But perhaps the best option is fresh ginger. You can get the whole root in any grocery store. It’s cheap, widely available and delicious used in your favorite recipes.
Try adding grated ginger to olive oil and vinegar to make a salad dressing. If you have a juicer, throw in some ginger with your fruits or veggies.
I make a lot of juices at home. Ginger contributes a nice, unique flavor… and some great health benefits.
You can also enjoy pickled ginger with sushi… And add grated ginger to stir fries and soups.
Michael Jelinek is the managing editor of the Natural Health Dossier newsletter. The newsletter scours the world for the most crucial, cutting-edge discoveries made by the best doctors and researchers in natural and alternative medicine.
Natural Health Dossier is a series of private research briefs prepared that challenge established beliefs and evaluate new ideas in order to dispel mainstream myths about diet, exercise, nutrition, health and healing, aging, pain relief, and more.
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