Ginger may help soothe muscle pain, according to a new study.
For 11 days, 74 volunteers took either a placebo or supplements containing ginger (an herb found to fight inflammation). On the eighth day of the study, participants lifted weights in order to bring about slight muscle injury in their arms. Study results showed that volunteers who had taken ginger had significantly lower levels of pain (compared to participants who'd taken a placebo capsule).
Ginger is one of several herbs shown to lessen pain in scientific studies. White willow bark, for instance, may alleviate back pain, joint pain, and osteoarthritis pain, while bromelain may benefit people with conditions marked by musculoskeletal tension (such as TMJ syndrome). In addition, curcumin may help lessen pain associated with tendonitis.
