Relief from pain and inflammation without significant side effects.
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 (5-LOX) 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 (COX-2). Chief among these effects is its inhibition of NF-kappaB – the inflammation Master Switch.
So, unlike other COX-2 inhibitors, using ginger will not increase your risk of heart attack. Unlike NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) it won’t give you an ulcer. In fact, using ginger will likely reduce your chance of either a heart attack or ulcer. To quote the publication summarized below: “ginger has a better therapeutic profile and fewer side effects than NSAIDs.”
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:
2005
Ginger–an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions.
Summary of the abstract
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have been known and valued for centuries.
Prostaglandin biosynthesis is inhibited by ginger, a property ginger shares with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin.
Ginger suppresses prostaglandin synthesis through inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2. Ginger also inhibits 5-LOX, which distinguishes ginger from NSAIDs and might explain why ginger has a better therapeutic profile and fewer side effects than NSAIDs.
Ginger has also been discovered to inhibit the induction of several genes involved with inflammation. Those include the genes for COX-2, as well as genes encoding cytokines.
Ginger therefore effects pathways important in the regulation of inflammation, and may be useful in the treatment of chronic inflammation.
Related posts:
- Ginger may be effective in the treatment of migraine Ginger is suggested as both an abortive (acute) and prophylactic...
- Ginger an effective anti-inflammatory agent in arthritis Ginger shown to reduce COX2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)...
- Feverfew plus ginger found effective in acute treatment of migraine Feverfew and ginger, delivered sublingually, were effective in preventing migraine...
- Ginger inhibits inflammation and is anti-carcinogenic Ginger is known to have potent anti-inflammation and anti-cancer properties....
- Ginger reduces inflammation in multiple sclerosis Activated macrophages are present in high concentrations in a number...
