Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic autoimmune disease, affecting the joints with varying severity among patients. Natural products from plants have played a remarkable role to cure and avert different diseases from ancient times. A study conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that about 80% of world’s population relies on traditional medicine. In USA, nearly 121 drugs are prescribed today, where 90 of them come from the natural sources particularly from plants in a direct or indirect manner. Herbal remedies can form an alternative source to relieve symptoms in patients having RA as well as to address the drawbacks associated with present treatment methods with allopathic drugs. A number of natural products including flavonoids, terpenes, quinones, catechins, alkaloids, anthocyanins and anthoxanthins modulate inflammatory response and hence are considered as gold mine for treatment of RA. Ginger is traditionally used in alternative medicines to reduce pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This review article is an attempt to provide a detailed insight in ginger as an antirheumatic remedy, phytoconstituents responsible for anti-rheumatic effect of ginger, mechanism involved in anti-rheumatic action of ginger and their safety issues but further research is required to investigate the safety, efficacy and potential drug interactions of ginger.
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