Living with chronic inflammation can be incredibly frustrating
And sometimes you just need a natural solution. Whether you’re trying to cut back on pain meds or are just interested in adding something to your routine, I think this is the perfect fit.
I’ve dealt with back pain for 20 years now and while most of the time I feel great managing it through posture exercises at Pain Academy, when a flareup happens, I like to turn to reducing the inflammatory response as my go-to measure.
So, here’s my secret…
It’s GINGER!
His advice was that I put it in my green smoothie or juice. So, I tried it and
It was disgusting. UGH!
If you like the taste of ginger I will now assume you are Satan.
So, I sat down and stared at that Ginger and tried to figure out how I could get that nastiness
into my body without tasting it.
Hmmmmm. (thinking, thinking)
I remembered that I had tried powdered ginger capsules before, but they never worked.
*LIGHT BULB*
I decided to go buy some empty capsules and fill it with fresh ginger! It worked!
Yeah, I’m pretty much a genius.
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| I shredded the Ginger first, of course. – where to buy a ginger grater. |
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| Here’s what it looks like. It’s a disgusting heap of shiz, but it’s about to get awesome. |
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| Grabbed my capsule. – where to buy capsules |
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| Opened it up…are you with me still? p.s. these are not my manly hands. They are my husbands. |
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| And stuffed all that nasty goodness inside. I closed it on up and swallowed it. P.S. that’s my hand. |
Guess what?
It knocked my inflammation out of the park! Who’da thunk that a silly think like Ginger could do that!
Now I just continue to take it as a supplement once a day. Except today, because I woke with my back being a little naughty, so I upped it to 3x’s a day. I’m already feeling better.
TRY IT! You will be amazed at the results.
UPDATE October 2013: It’s about 1 year later and I am still AMAZED at how wonderful this works! Now I just grate about a teaspoon and swallow it whole with a big gulp of water. I’ve stopped using the capsules. Sometimes I’ll go a month without needing it, and then I’ll have days where I’ll double up. We just visited Disneyland as a family, and I was super nervous about all that walking so I took 2 tsp. at night and morning and I felt ZERO inflammation or pain. I’m telling you, this stuff works!
FAQ’S about Ginger:
Q: Does it have to be fresh? Won’t powdered ginger work the same?
A: In my experience, powdered ginger does NOTHING for me. The key here is fresh ginger. I just purchase it about once a month at the store and keep it in my fridge. Totally worth it.
Q: Do I have to stuff it in a capsule? Are there bigger capsules?
A. You don’t have to use a capsule at all, in fact, now I just grab about a teaspoonful and swallow it with a big gulp of water. There are bigger capsules out there, like here.
Q: What is the recommended dosage?
A: I don’t take it every single day, I only take it if I feel stiffness or inflammation and in that case I’ll take 1 teaspoon anywhere from once a day to four times a day. I usually feel a reduction in inflammation and pain-relief within 30-45 minutes.
Q: Does it hurt your stomach? I’m worried that much ginger will give me heartburn?
A: Because ginger is also an anti-emetic (anti-nausea), it is great for the stomach. I’m sure it’s possible to eat too much (just like anything else), so just listen to your body. In my experience, swallowing a whole teaspoonful doesn’t cause me any kind of indigestion or heartburn at all. If you already have heartburn issues, I recommend you read my post on 6 Natural Ways to Stop Heartburn.
Have you tried making hot ginger tea? I love it and I know other people who do as well. You just steep grated ginger to the strength you like. I sweeten it with stevia. I think it’s delicious. You can use wire mesh if you don’t like pieces of ginger in your tea but I like to chew on the ginger pieces as I drink it.
Hi Kay-
Thanks for the tips and info. Sounds delicious! Thank you for reading and posting! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I love ginger. I use it as ginger pate – mix tahini with freshly grated ginger(the amount depends on the taste of ginger you love), then fermented ginger for use with stir fry… Love to juice it and mix with water for morning tonic with lemon juice. Love this blog and Love your amazing sense of humour…..
Do you make fermented ginger yourself? Sounds interesting.
Thank you so much for sharing!! I will start trying a simple teaspoon of fresh ground ginger a day! I can most definitely do that.
I have been making hot chocolate with powdered cocoa, turmeric, cinnamon, pure vanilla extract and honey. We use coconut milk due to dairy allergies. We also use a drop of organic peppermint essential oil which makes it very refreshing. I feel it’s a good inflammation buster on a cold winter night.
My Mom has temporal arteritis & im so curious if the anonymous commenter whose mom has TA & Lupus found relief from this. She is on Prednisone & I would love to see her get off of it or cut her dosage by supplementing ginger or any anti-inflammatory food.
Thank you for posting about raw ginger. I had read that candied ginger was helpful for sciatic pain, of which I’ve been suffering from for several months, and it was helpful. But the raw ginger is the ticket! I’ve been using about a half-inch knob of ginger cut into aspirin-sized chunks in the morning and again around lunch time. I’m really pain free until the next morning. This is so much better than Motrin. Thank you again for sharing!
Just making sure before I try that fresh ginger is OK for those with leaky gut? Is ginger good for healing the stomach/intestines?
Hi Kris,
I think this would be just fine, as ginger is healing to the gut.
I’m trying this ginger in a capsule but by The time I get it into the capsule it is already dissolving the capsule? Any tips?
Hmm, I haven’t had that happen before. I would suggest just skipping the capsule and swallowing with water:)
Hi DaNelle: I am new to your blog and it is very interestin. When it comes to ginger, I just grine it over a glass of water add fresh lemon juice, some chia seeds, and honey and drink it very cold. It is very refreshing and no bad taste at all.
That sounds like a great combo!
I had this same problem. I took a straw and cut one end about 1/2″ up one side of the straw and then 1/2″ up the other side, and then cut off and discard that little piece of straw. This makes a “scoop” which makes it easier to get the ginger in without dissolving the gel caps.
If I dried ginger (I have a dehydrator) blended the dried ginger to a powder and then filled capsules would this work to help with inflammation? I have an autoimmune disorder, sjogrens, which results in dry eye and a few other symptoms.
For me, I haven’t seen a lot of effects from dehydrated ginger, but you’re welcome to try it!
This is awesome solution but for me ginger tastes ao great.
Have you tried to juice it with apples lemons and celery? it tastes like heaven.
What a brilliant site! I’ve done tonnes of research into gut healing and weight loss foods and came to the conclusion that raw goats milk and ginger are two of the absolute best foods for health. I also want a little farm now!!
Love the idea of putting ginger in a capsule – I had just tried to eat some today and obviously – it was too awful – so I was drinking ginger tea – which I don’t think is that potent.
Very pleased with that tip – thankyou 🙂
Awesome!
DaNelle, is the pickled ginger that comes with sushi just as good as raw? I love to eat it too. Also, I have been using candied ginger for YEARS for motion sickness and it works BEAUTIFULLY! Throw out that dramamine! Can you use either picked ginger or candied ginger in place of raw?
Wow! Really? I am going to try this…starting today!!!! I happen to like the taste of ginger, please don’t hate me, ☺️ But it seems I might be able to get more in me if I grate and capsulize it. I had hip replacement surgery 2 years ago and am just getting comfortable enough to walk for exercise. I tried ginger before having heard what a great anti-inflammatory it is but I tried the powdered kind and had no relief. I will thank you in advance for giving me hope that I won’t have to head down the surgery path for my back. I can’t wait to read more of your natural ways of dealing with this painful and debilitating disease.
pumpkin is another great anti-inflammatory…plus helps with PMS… I can a oil called 3-6-9 every day, incorporate the seeds into my meals and who doesn’t like pumpkin muffins. Thank you for the tip on the ginger, I have been meaning to use more of it and now I have a excuse to. 😉
Love the article. Does the ginger have to be grated to be effective? Couldn’t you just slice the ginger in “capsule” size chunks and swallow it with water? This would save the hassle of grating and filling the capsules or grating and taking a tsp full.
Where do you buy the empty capsules and does the ginger root have to be refrigerated? Do you only make enough for the dosage at the time? I have suffered with scoliosis, stenosis, arthritis and sciatica for years and I hate the after taste of fish oil. Will comment for sure if it works or at least helps some, thanks!
Thanks DaNelle for the info.
Great idea, I will have to try this. Need to look for some of those gel capsules. Where did you get yours?
Turmeric is also a strong anti-inflammatory, they sell it in capsules or you can make your own. I like to make a paste using turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and raw local honey and just swallow it quick! It has gotten me through some rough times 🙂
I have heard Turmeric is good. I tried the tablets but didnt notice a difference in my pain level. I have raw honey but I am almost out of it. Guess its time to check the bee hive.
Wow i did try this, today and after making 3 pills i can feel something.. (like relaxing feeling) has this happened to any of you? I had this after a cinnamon tea.
I have been using a mixture of raw honey ,turmeric and black peppercorns in with my morning coffee and cream. This gives me a calming feeling. Have also done the same with hot tea
Ahhh I wish I would have known about this before I bought some Ginger Root Supplements today over lunch! What is your opinion on Nature’s Bounty Ginger Root Supplements?
My body always responds best to fresh raw ginger. I wish powdered ginger worked, it’d be easier!
So you don’t peel it? Where do you get the capsules?
That’s right I don’t peel it:)
I second the above question 🙂 I’m going to try this for my arthritis, and headaches 🙂
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Question: Do you have to make them every day or can you make enough to last a few days and just keep them in the fridge?
I grate it every day I need it. I find the efficacy is stronger when I use as fresh as possible.
Thanks for posting, ginger can be strong in flavor but the extra heat reminds me that it is working. Love making fresh ginger tea- water and freshly chopped ginger simmered, then adding honey to sweeten and lend it’s bacterial benefits. Just feels good going down, especially with a sore throat or respiratory inflamation. I will definitely try this as I already have empty capsules. My challenge this year is to try growing my own fresh ginger in my herb beds.
Thank you!!! Cannot wait to try it when my gut is inflamed. And…I just so happen to have empty vegetarian capsules sitting in my herb cabinet! Cool beans!
So glad I came across this post. My mom – who suffers from Lupus – has also been diagnosed with temporal arteritis. Her sed rate is way high and they have her on huge prednisone doses-not good for her heart. Will be picking up some ginger today!
This method looks much easier than making ginger bug, I am curious on how does it affect on stomach flu symptoms, will it start reducing them immediately, and how often capsules should be taken?
I would just try it out and see how it works. Ginger is an anti-nausea also, so it should help! But if you’re already queasy I would start with small doses.
I wonder what would happen if you dehydrated the grated ginger, and then put them in the capsules? Could you then make a larger batch and have it keep longer?
I think that would work, but I’m not sure about the efficacy of ginger dehydrated. I believe raw would live enzymes for digestion, but I’m not an expert so I say give it a try!
How do you know how mych to consume & how iften?
How do you know how mych to consume & how iften?
Since Ginger is a whole food, it is safe even in large amounts. With that said, about a tsp. Of grated ginger is how much I do in a single dose and on a bad day I’ll do 3 or 4 of those.
I love ginger especially in Asian & Indian cooking. When a sinus infection gets me, I add ginger and honey to my green tea to soothe it. The clear capsule idea was genious though. I will use that for some other things that I would like to add to my diet.
Have you ever tried culturing ginger? I take a jar and do that, it’s better for you. I am thinking you could take the slices and chop them small to get them in the capsule, but it seems like a lot of work to me. Maybe ginger, honey, swallow quickly!
What a great idea!
Glad that worked for you! I love ginger but not right into my mouth 😉
I’ll definitely give this a try … I’m having some inflammation that’s aggravating my asthma right now. I’ve not been able to handle the taste of raw ginger either … so simple it’s brilliant! I’ve shared this on facebook too :-).
I love ginger! Yum – in everything, on everything, in every form. Glad to know it’s good for me!
This is AWESOME news and info! I was diagnosed with Lupus two years ago, adn I can’t wait to try the ginger and see how it helps me!!! THANK YOU!!!
I love eating ginger slices with my sushi. It’s not Satan or hell, it is heaven.
Haha, Okay I’ll admit I do like ginger in Asian dishes but raw is torture!
I love the ginger slices that comes with sushi, but they’re pickled. That changes the flavor.
I’m totally amazed. I didn’t even KNOW you could buy empty capsules! this is awesome – thank you!
Thanks Barb! I just posted the link on your site!
Wow! I love ginger, and I know it works well for soothing upset tummies. Where did you find the capsules? Is it something I can order through Amazon?
I would love for you to share this post at Motivation Monday: https://alifeinbalance.net/motivation-monday-co-host/
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflam also. Works great!
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflam also. Works great!
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflam also. Works great!
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflam also. Works great!
WOW I needed this and am off to the market tomorrow. I have had sciatica and a pinched nerve in my elbow for a week and was starting to get quite down about it. I have been rubbing essential oils of rosemary, cinnamon and camphor on my elbow which has been helping a little.
I wonder if making a tea out of these oils would be effective or if it needs to be raw.
Dang, isn’t sciatica THE worst?! Hopefully this helps! It can’t hurt:)
Terrible – been suffering off and on with sciatica for 20 years. I’m done with drugs and rely on ice packs and prayer! Will try Ginger. I work part time and need to walk…..thanks for this info!
I’ll be damned!!! Thanks for the tip!!!!
Had no clue you could buy those empty capsules OR that ginger was a natural anti-inflamm. So is fish oil, I hear… 🙂
That’s right! I forgot about fish oil!
Mmmm… I love the taste of ginger! mwahahaha But a little bit does go a long way, flavor-wise!
does ginger have the same anti-inflammatory effect if it is cooked (sauteed in olive oil)?
From what I understand, raw is always better. Cooked would still carry some benefits, but they heat from cooking does destroy some enzymes & nutrients.
Thank you, Danelle!!!!!!!!
Wow! I’ll have to do that! I actually do like the taste of ginger normally, but I think it’s because I usually eat it on top of sushi or in cookie form. 🙂 I think it’d be gross raw.
I will assume you are not Satan because we used to be neighbors;) I guess I have to admit I do like the “flavor” of ginger in asian dishes. But raw is pretty dang bad!