Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Like aspirin, ginger inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Unlike aspirin, ginger does not upset the stomach, but protects the stomach lining while reducing nausea.
Banjo includes a pure water, full spectrum extract of ginger root.
Banjo provides fast, effective relief from pain and inflammation because it enables your body’s immune system to function properly. It works just like the fruits and vegetables you eat every day – by naturally inhibiting NF-kB, the inflammation Master Switch.
Banjo works better because it combines the most effective natural extracts and delivers them in a form that ensures maximum bio-availability. You get the full spectrum of phytonutrients your body needs to turn off excess inflammation.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
When properly administered, ginger offers greater potential for relief of pain and inflammation than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – but with fewer side effects – for several reasons.
Ginger directly inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and thereby acts as both a COX-I and COX-II inhibitor.
Ginger also inhibits 5-lipoxygenase by direct action – thereby inhibiting the production of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are key regulators (promoters) of inflammation. They may be of particular importance in allergy and asthma, but are probably involved in promoting and sustaining inflammation generally. Recent studies suggest a role for leukotrienes in cancer, arthritis, pain perception, cardiovascular disease and neurological disease.
Ginger further exerts its anti-inflammatory and anti-pain effect by inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory genes that encode cytokines, chemokines, and the inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase-2. Chief among these effects is its inhibition of NF-kB – the inflammation Master Switch.
Banjo delivers a combination of herbal extracts, including ginger extract, by means of a lozenge. By allowing the lozenge to dissolve in your mouth, active components (actives) are absorbed trans-mucosally (through the lining of the mouth.) This results in faster delivery of a higher concentration of actives to the bloodstream. Of perhaps greater significance, actives are not first subject to the harsh, destructive environment of the stomach, neither are they immediately destroyed by the liver (the “first pass” effect.)
The traditional means of administering ginger – as well as other medicinal herbs – was by chewing or eating. Of course both chewing and eating require that the product spend a substantial time in direct contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth. That might be important.
Most such products are now delivered by means of a gelatin capsule that is immediately swallowed, which may be one reason for the limited efficacy of such products. Banjo provides effective relief from pain and inflammation by employing an effective combination of agents, delivered so as to ensure maximum bio-availability.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):125-32.
Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG.
RMG Biosciences, Inc.
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have been known and valued for centuries.
Ginger inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis and as such is an herbal medicinal product that shares pharmacological properties with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Ginger suppresses prostaglandin synthesis through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. Ginger also inhibits 5-lipoxygenase. This pharmacological property distinguishes ginger from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and might explain why ginger has a better therapeutic profile and fewer side effects than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The characterization of the pharmacological properties of ginger entered a new phase with the discovery that ginger extract inhibits the induction of several genes involved in the inflammatory response. These include genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, and the inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase-2.
This discovery provided the first evidence that ginger modulates biochemical pathways activated in chronic inflammation.
[/stextbox]
Daily ginger decreased levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL – ‘good’ cholesterol.)
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
Saudi Med J. 2008 Sep;29(9):1280-4.
Alizadeh-Navaei R, Roozbeh F, Saravi M, Pouramir M, Jalali F, Moghadamnia AA.
Department of Pharmacology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of fine powder of ginger on lipid level in volunteer patients.
RESULTS: Forty-five patients in the treatment group and 40 patients in placebo group participated in this study. There was a significant reduce in triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), levels of before and after study separately in each group. Mean changes in triglyceride and cholesterol levels of ginger group were significantly higher than placebo group. Mean reduction in LDL level and increase in high density lipoprotein level of ginger group were higher than the placebo group, but in VLDL level of placebo was higher than ginger.
CONCLUSION: The results show that ginger has a significant lipid lowering effect compared to placebo.
[/stextbox]
So in addition to treating pain and inflammation, Banjo may also improve the health of your gums, preserve your teeth – even freshen your breath. How nice!
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
Phytother Res. 2008 Nov;22(11):1446-9.
Park M, Bae J, Lee DS.
Systems Microbiology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 52 Eoeun-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Korea.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used widely as a food spice and an herbal medicine. In particular, its gingerol-related components have been reported to possess antimicrobial and antifungal properties, as well as several pharmaceutical properties.
However, the effective ginger constituents that inhibit the growth of oral bacteria associated with periodontitis in the human oral cavity have not been elucidated.
This study revealed that two highly alkylated gingerols, [10]-gingerol and [12]-gingerol effectively inhibited the growth of these oral pathogens at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 6-30 microg/mL. These ginger compounds also killed the oral pathogens at a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) range of 4-20 microg/mL, but not the other ginger compounds 5-acetoxy-[6]-gingerol, 3,5-diacetoxy-[6]-gingerdiol and galanolactone.
[/stextbox]
Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the formation, in the brain, of amyloid plaques. While the existence of these plaques in Alzheimer’s has long been known, their role in the disease has remained somewhat uncertain. There is, however, increasing recognition of the very significant role played by inflammation in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s. Indeed, the plaques of Alzheimer’s are found to be surrounded by cells (microglia) that cause inflammation through the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals (cytokines.)
In the study briefly summarized below, ginger extract was found to reduce microglia inflammation and the release of cytokines by microglia. As such, the authors conclude that ginger extract might be useful in preventing, or at least delaying, both the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Dec;10(6):1009-13.
Grzanna R, Phan P, Polotsky A, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG.
RMG Biosciences, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA.
INTRODUCTION: Neuritic plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. These are extracellular deposits of beta-amyloid. In the central nervous system these neuritic plaques are surrounded by activated microglial cells that cause inflammation leading to cell death. Long-term activation of microglial cells is therefore suspected of contributing to the neuron loss in Alzheimer’s disease.
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine whether a ginger extract (GE) can reduce the inflammation suspected of causing the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
RESULTS: The results document that the GE used in this study inhibits LPS, cytokine, and amyloid induced expression of the proinflammatory genes TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, COX-2, MIP-alpha, MCP-1, and IP-10. The data provide experimental evidence that ginger can inhibit inflammation and reduce the expression of a wide range of inflammation-related genes in microglial-like cells.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that ginger extract may be useful in delaying the onset and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders involving chronically activated microglial cells in the central nervous system – such as Alzheimer’s disease.
[/stextbox]
Activated macrophages are present in high concentrations in a number of inflammatory lesions. The most common inflammatory cell identified in active central nervous system lesions of multiple sclerosis is, for example, the macrophage.
The study briefly summarized below may have implications on the possible use of ginger extract in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, especially to the extent that ginger extract was associated with a significant reduction in T cell proliferation in response to allostimulation – thought to be important in the pathology of multiple sclerosis.
But even beyond multiple sclerosis, macrophages and T-cells play an essential role in autoimmune disease, and in chronic inflammation generally – suggesting the possible benefits of ginger in the treatment of a very broad spectrum of conditions.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2008 Jan 3;8:1.
Tripathi S, Bruch D, Kittur DS.
Dept of Surgery, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
Inhibition of macrophage activation is one of the possible approaches towards modulating inflammation. Both conventional and alternative approaches are being studied in this regard.
Ginger, an herbal product with broad anti inflammatory actions, is used as an alternative medicine in a number of inflammatory conditions like rheumatic disorders. The present study examined the effect of ginger extract on macrophage activation in the presence of LPS stimulation.
We observed that ginger extract inhibited IL-12, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta (pro inflammatory cytokines) and RANTES, MCP-1 (pro inflammatory chemokines) production in LPS stimulated macrophages.
Ginger extract also down regulated the expression of B7.1, B7.2 and MHC class II molecules.
In addition ginger extract negatively affected the antigen presenting function of macrophages and we observed a significant reduction in T cell proliferation in response to allostimulation, when ginger extract treated macrophages were used as APCs. A significant decrease in IFN-gamma and IL-2 production by T cells in response to allostimulation was also observed.
In conclusion ginger extract inhibits macrophage activation and APC function and indirectly inhibits T cell activation.
[/stextbox]
Two hours after treatment, 48% of patients were pain free and another 34% had only mild headache pain.
No significant side effects were reported.
A combination of ginger and feverfew, when administered sublingualy at the mild pain phase, was found to be both safe and effective at relieving the pain and associated symptoms of migraine.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
Med Sci Monit. 2005 Sep;11(9):PI65-9. Epub 2005 Aug 26.
Cady RK, Schreiber CP, Beach ME, Hart CC.
Clinvest, Inc., Springfield and Headache Care Center, Springfield, Missouri, USA.
BACKGROUND: Treatment of migraine headaches is often delayed due to assessing the potential severity of an evolving headache or anticipating unwanted consequences from prescription medication. Studies have demonstrated improved pain-free response when prescription treatments are taken during the mild headache phase of a migraine. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an OTC product, GelStat Migraine, when taken in the early, mild pain phase of migraine.
RESULTS: 29 evaluable subjects completed the study, all treating at mild pain. Two hours after treatment, 48% were pain-free with 34% reporting a headache of only mild severity.
CONCLUSIONS: GelStat Migraine is effective as a first line abortive treatment for migraine when initiated early during the mild headache phase.
[/stextbox]
Many drugs effective in the treatment of migraine have effects on platelet aggregation.
One theory holds that a migraine begins when platelets clump, releasing serotonin and setting off an inflammatory cascade that eventually leads to full-blown migraine. Indeed, platelet ‘over-responsiveness’ is commonly observed in patients with migraine, and may account for the observed higher risk of stroke documented especially among those who have migraine with aura.
In the study briefly summarized below a traditional Japanese migraine medication is investigated. One of the four herbal extracts used in that medication is an aqueous extract of ginger. Two of the components of ginger extract, 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol, were each found to inhibit platelet aggregation.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
J Pharmacol Sci. 2008 Sep;108(1):89-94. Epub 2008 Sep 6.
Hibino T, Yuzurihara M, Terawaki K, Kanno H, Kase Y, Takeda A.
Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., 3586 Yoshiwara, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan.
The effects of goshuyuto and chotosan, traditional Japanese medicines, on collagen-induced platelet aggregation were examined using guinea-pig blood. Goshuyuto at the concentration of 1,000 mug/mL inhibited collagen-induced platelet hyper-aggregation to the same degree as aspirin at the concentration of 100 mumol/L, but chotosan did not.
Goshuyuto is composed of four medicinal herbs. Of them, aqueous extracts of Evodiae Fructus and Zingiberis Rhizoma inhibited platelet aggregation, but aqueous extracts of Zizyphi Fructus and Ginseng Radix did not.
Two components of Zingiberis Rhizoma, 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol, also inhibited platelet aggregation.
These results suggest that Evodiae Fructus and Zingiberis Rhizoma may play important roles in the anti-aggregation effects of goshuyuto and that 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol are among the active ingredients. Therefore, goshuyuto may ameliorate migraine by preventing the hyper-aggregation of platelets in migraine with aura.
[/stextbox]
Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) were both reduced within 24 hours after application of ginger root extract. Both are key pro-inflammatory agents thought to be important in the pain and inflammation of arthritis.
It is suggested that ginger root extract may play an important role in the future treatment of arthritis.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):149-53.
Shen CL, Hong KJ, Kim SW.
Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-2141, USA.
Ginger root was previously demonstrated to exert anti-arthritic effects in sow cartilage explants.
This study further investigated the comparative effects of ginger root extract (GRE) on the production of inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), in normal chondrocytes (NC) and osteoarthrotic chondrocytes (OC) isolated from pigs.
Collectively, OC produce more inflammatory mediators than do NC, and the production of inflammatory mediators was reduced when GRE was added to both the OC and the NC. The inhibitory effects of GRE on NO and PGE2 production by sow OC observed in this study suggest an important role for GRE as an anti-arthritic agent.
[/stextbox]
Arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation that causes pain and results in cartilage destruction.
TNF-alpha plays a key role in the course and progression of arthritis. It is both a product and an activator of NF-kB. It is probably by means of this NF-kB activating effect that it leads to an increase in other pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as destructive enzymes – all of which means that TNF-alpha plays a central role in arthritis.
In the study summarized below, ginger was found to decrease the level of TNF-alpha while also reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and destructive enzymes.
A decrease in the level of activated NF-kB was also observed, which is the most likely mechanism by which ginger exerts its beneficial effects in arthritis.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 2004 Mar-Apr;40(3-4):95-101.
Frondoza CG, Sohrabi A, Polotsky A, Phan PV, Hungerford DS, Lindmark L.
Division of Arthritis Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and prostaglandins (PGs) such as PGE-2 play a critical role in the pathophysiology of arthritis.
TNF-alpha mediates induction of other cytokines, COX-2, PGs, and metalloproteinases, which leads to cartilage degradation.
An assay system was developed for screening inhibitors of proinflammatory mediators in herbal extracts.
Ginger extract significantly inhibited the activation of TNF-alpha and COX-2 expression and also suppressed production of TNF-alpha and PGE-2. Inhibition of TNF-alpha and COX-2 activation was accompanied by inhibition of NF-kB and IkappaB-alpha induction.
These observations indicate that ginger extract offers a complementary and alternative approach to modulate the inflammatory process involved in arthritis.
[/stextbox]
This publication speaks for itself. Ginger may have many applications and its mechanism(s) of action are being investigated.
The publication:
[stextbox id="grey"]
Hawaii Med J. 2007 Dec;66(12):326-7.
Hoffman T.
Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, USA.
Ginger has been used safely for thousands of years in traditional and folk medicine. Advanced technology enables the validation of these traditional experiences.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has evaluated the results of the available studies, rating the reports from “suggestive” (for short-term use of Ginger for safe relief from pregnancy related nausea and vomiting), to “mixed” (when used for nausea caused by motion sickness, chemotherapy, or surgery), and to “unclear” for treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint and muscle pain).
The scope of ginger’s use will soon be clearly identified and incorporated into mainstream therapeutic options, thereby integrating east and west, old with new, to render ginger as a true “Universal Remedy”.
[/stextbox]
A ginger extract was found to be effective in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Note that in the study summarized, the ginger extract is injected into the mouse. Nonetheless, ginger is found to be effective in reducing inflammation in the lungs in the mouse model of allergic asthma.
Ginger is suggested as both an abortive (acute) and prophylactic (preventative) medication for the treatment of migraine. My experience suggests that ginger, used alone, is unlikely to be effective, but that it can be valuable when used in combination with other herbal extracts.
This study suggests that a combination of turmeric (curcumin) and ginger extract might provide a novel approach to improving structure and function in skin and, concomitantly, reducing formation of non-healing wounds.
This study is the first study to investigate the anticancer effect of 6-shogaol in human non-small cell lung cancer. The results suggest that ginger may have some effect in preventing non-small cell cancer of the lung.
Test tube experiments (“in vitro” means “in glass”) demonstrated that ginger components caused the release of additional insulin when that insulin release had been artificially blocked. In vivo (in life) experiments were then carried out on rats. These rat experiments confirmed the effect of ginger in a living mammal (though not a human.) Glucose levels decreased by 35% and insulin levels increased by 10%.
Ginger has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic, Chinese and Tibb-Unani herbal medicines for the treatment of various illnesses that involve inflammation and which are caused by oxidative stress. Does it work?
Ginger is known to have potent anti-inflammation and anti-cancer properties. In researching these qualities, many previous efforts have focused on the compounds identified as “gingerols.” This research suggests that more benefits might be obtained by using a full-spectrum extract.
Gout is a rheumatic disease that is manifestated by an intense inflammation secondary to monosodium urate crystal deposition in joints.
Aging Alzheimer's Arthritis Asthma Atherosclerosis Back Pain Banjo Cancer Chronic Pain Cluster Headache Crohn's Diabetes Fatigue Fibromyalgia Gout Headache Heart Disease IBD Inflammation Joint Pain Lupus Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Neck Pain Neuropathic Pain NF-kB Osteoarthritis Pain Parkinson's Psoriasis Rheumatoid Arthritis Sjogren's Stroke TMJ Ulcerative Colitis
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.