当老姜遇上关节炎

老姜遇上关节炎，一片顶三片。

原文| Aaron Kandola from medicalnewstoday

乱译| 中外物語 （文末有惊喜）

图片| 原文网站或自摄

不当之处，敬请批评指正！

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Ginger for arthritis pain: Will it work?

老姜治疗关节痛，到底管用不管用？

Ginger is most commonly known as a unique, aromatic spice, but it has also long been used in traditional and modern medicines. Ginger may be beneficial in managing the inflammation and pain of arthritis, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.

老姜因其特有的香辣味儿为人熟知。传统和现代医药都有融姜为药的实践。老姜入药，抗炎效果很好，因此对治疗关节炎症和痛症的效果也可能杠杠的。

Ginger is a flowering plant native to several Asian countries, as well as West Africa and the Caribbean. It has been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries and has been applied to treat a range of conditions from motion sickness to digestive problems.

生姜是有花植物，在很多亚洲国家、西非和加勒比海等区域都有大量种植。传统亚洲医学中，生姜入药的历史已有几个世纪之久，针对的症状非常多样，效果也很明显，比如在缓解晕动症（特别是晕车船等）和助消化方面，使用生姜的“偏方”可以说妇孺皆知。

This article will explore the impact that ginger has on the body, whether it can help with arthritis, and how to consume it.

本文重在探讨生姜的药理作用方面对人体的影响，特别针对缓解关节炎症，顺带谈谈其用法。

Fast facts on ginger for arthritis:

老姜治关节炎的疗效，先以事实说话：

Studies have shown that ginger can have a positive impact on reducing inflammation and discomfort in people with arthritis when compared to control groups. The medicinal properties of ginger are derived from the root or rhizome of the plant, and its stem. Ginger is best consumed raw but is available in powder form, capsules, and oils, or as juice.

医学对照研究证明，姜对关节炎引起的炎症和身体不适能起到积极的缓轻作用。生姜的药效主要来自根、茎部分。纯姜的药效当然最好，但姜粉、胶囊和萃取油制品的效果也不错，或也可榨汁使用。

How does ginger work?

略谈药理。

Inflammation is an essential immune response that allows the body to heal wounds and fight infections. The capacity for ginger to reduce inflammation is what underlies many of its medical uses. Inflammation describes the self-protective process by which the body releases white blood cells to combat infection and clear out harmful organisms, such as bacteria. Inflammation can cause discomfort, particularly when it is chronic. Inflammation is common in many types of arthritis and contributes towards pain around the affected joints. The primary therapeutic goal of treating arthritis is to minimize the discomfort it causes, as there are currently no cures for the condition. 

炎症（通常叫发炎）对治愈伤口和抵抗感染是有益的，也是免疫系统正常反应的关键一环。生姜在医学界得到认可的原因，恰好因为它能起到很好的抗炎作用。医学解释说，炎症是机体自我保护还原的过程，这一过程中会产生大量白细胞，以对抗感染和清除有害细菌。炎症并发引起不适，尤以慢性发作为甚。炎症在各种关节炎病痛中特别常见，表现症状一般都以引起关节疼痛为主。目前，治疗关节炎的基本目标是最大可能地减轻炎症引发的不适，因为临床上对治愈关节炎暂时束手无策。

What does the evidence say?

再来看看相关的医学证据。

One study included 247 participants with a common type of arthritis called osteoarthritis. The study found that those given ginger capsules twice a day for 6 months had a significantly greater reduction in pain than a control group. However, these participants were also more likely to experience side effects, such as heartburn, than the control group.

研究人员对247名骨关节炎患者进行了长达半年的对照研究，发现一天服用两次生姜胶囊的患者，疼痛症状明显有所缓解，但好像也会产生一些副作用，比如说胃灼热。

Other studies have indicated that ginger may be comparable to ibuprofen in terms of effectiveness. A recent review concluded that people with osteoarthritis experienced a 30 percent greater pain reduction than a control group, and they were twice as likely to discontinue their treatment compared to a control group. The benefits of consuming ginger are not restricted to osteoarthritis but can also reduce inflammation in other common forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. These pain-relieving properties of ginger have been extended to the treatment of muscular pain. A 2010 study found that consuming either raw or heated ginger caused a moderate to large reduction in muscular pain, following an injury.

相关研究还表明，生姜在药效方面跟布洛芬类镇痛药有得一比。最近复查过的骨关节炎患者当中，跟对照组相比，超过30%的患者疼痛症状有所缓解。生姜的药用价值不单单限于治疗骨关节炎，对减轻普通关节炎引发的炎症也有很好的效果，比如说风湿性关节炎（大概就是“老寒腿”啦！）。生姜这个减轻疼痛的药理已被用于治疗肌肉疼痛。2010年一项研究发现，使用原姜或热姜对治疗因受伤引起的肌肉疼痛（据说对创伤愈合效果也很好），有着非常明显的缓解作用。

The overall consensus

医学共识

The majority of current studies indicate the benefits of ginger, but some studies have also found no effect of ginger on relieving pain or reducing inflammation in arthritis. While more research is needed to provide any definitive answers, ginger is not considered harmful and is more likely to be useful in managing the symptoms of arthritis.

目前的医学界，大部分人对生姜缓解疼痛或对关节炎抗炎效果的药学价值持肯定态度，但也有少数人认为生姜并没有那么邪乎的药学作用。当然，这就需要更有说服力的证据来为生姜的药学价值撑腰——生姜药理无害，可能对治疗各类关节炎症状大有裨益。

How to take ginger

生姜用法

Ginger can be consumed raw or in powdered form. It can be consumed on its own and can be readily bought, as a capsule for oral consumption. People use ginger in cooking, particularly in Asian dishes, such as stir-fry or curry. Alternatively, it can be brewed, as a tea, or made into syrup to flavor cold drinks. Ginger can also be applied directly to inflamed areas of the body in the form of a cream or oil. Dosage should be kept around 2-4 grams (g), taken up to 3 times per day. However, it is recommended not to exceed 4 g per day.

原姜最好，姜粉次之；可就地取材入膳，也可买到姜制胶囊。亚洲菜系中以姜入膳者居多，特别是中国菜系和印度菜系，姜是不可或缺的调料。当然啦，姜茶也是不错的选择；或者姜汁果浆类制品调入冷饮中，满满一杯，轻呷一口，其乐无穷。内服加外敷，疗效更明显。姜制乳膏或萃取油制品则可外敷于炎处。使用剂量最好控制在2-4克，一天三次，足矣。“砖家”特别提醒，一天用量最好不要超过4克，否则“后果”自负。

Is it safe?

生姜入药，安全有保？

The consumption of ginger is considered to be safe in small doses. Side effects are mild and rare, typically only occurring when more than 4 g are consumed per day. If ginger is consumed orally, these side effects are usually gastrointestinal issues, for example, heartburn or indigestion. Applying ginger to the skin can result in other side effects, including irritation and rashes.

姜虽可入药，但用量却不是越多越好，少量是良药，大量可能是毒药。至于副作用，可以说因人而异；有的人泡在姜水里也没事，有的人闻一下可能都过敏。据说，每日用量超过4克，才会出现一些副作用。内服常见的副作用是肠胃不适，比如像胃灼热或导致消化系统不适；外敷的副作用一般是皮肤灼热和起疹。

It is important to consult with a doctor before taking ginger, as it may not be appropriate for everyone. Caution is used with individuals who have:

diabetes

blood disorders

gallstones

Ginger can also interfere with certain medications, including blood-thinning drugs. Furthermore, it is possible to be allergic to ginger. This can be determined by applying a small amount of ginger cream to the skin. If any side effects, such as skin irritation or rashes appear within 24 hours, it may be a sign of an allergy.

像林妹妹一样走哪儿都要带药的朋友，用姜最好遵照医嘱；毕竟，好东西不是人人都能消受得起的。特别提醒三类患者——糖尿病；血质不调（血液病）；胆结石——用姜需要慎之又慎。姜跟稀释血液类药物的关系“不三不四”，患者应多加注意。再啰嗦一句，对姜过敏也很常见，所以更要遵照医嘱，注意用量。比如外敷姜制乳膏，涂在患处24小时内出现疹子，就可能因过敏而致。

Is it worth taking?

生姜入药真有那么神奇么？吃还是不吃，这是个问题。

Assuming there are no allergies, adding ginger to a person's diet is the safest way to introduce the medicinal effects of ginger to the body. Supplements, herbs, and topical creams with ginger in them are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there may be concerns with safety, purity, or quality. Using up to 4 g of ginger per day could be beneficial for managing symptoms of arthritis, and this quantity is relatively safe to consume. Ginger is easy to ingest as a capsule, apply to skin or incorporate into a healthful diet. For most people, it is worth trying ginger and seeing how the body responds. However, it is sensible to seek advice from a doctor before taking ginger, to check it is appropriate. There are also several notable alternatives to ginger. Examples include turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne or garlic. These spices have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful in treating arthritis.

假如没有过敏反应，生姜入膳是最安全有效的办法。姜制补品、草药和外用乳膏不受食品药品监管局的监控，可能是出于对其安全性、纯度和品种不值得大惊小怪。只要每天用量不超过4克，对于缓解关节炎症就是有效且安全的。内服姜制胶囊和外用制品都极易吸收，生姜入膳是一种安全健康的用法。对大多数人来说，试试无妨，有副作用停用就可以了。以防万一，最好还是先找医生问个清楚，然后再用。当然，生姜虽好，却也不是唯一。姜黄、肉桂、辣椒或大蒜都是生姜替代品——这些香辛料对抗炎症或缓解关节炎疼痛都有类似作用。

Other methods of arthritis relief

缓解关节痛，也可另辟蹊径

One way of stopping the discomfort of arthritis is to reduce inflammation around the joints. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can be used to reduce inflammation. NSAIDs operate by disrupting the production of enzymes that cause inflammation and discomfort. The compounds in ginger have also been found to inhibit these troublesome enzymes and may function in a similar way to NSAIDs. Similarly, it is possible that ginger is able to turn off certain genes that cause inflammation, thus making it a powerful alternative to NSAIDs.

阻止关节炎引发不适的一个法子是缓解关节周边的炎症。非甾体抗炎药（NSAIDs），像布洛芬，就能缓解炎症；这类药物能使产生炎症和不适的霉作用之间发生紊乱，使得疼痛症状缓解或消失。研究发现，生姜含有的化合物成分也有类似作用，药理跟非甾体抗炎药类似。有一种推测是姜能够把产生炎症的基因加以转化，因此才能起到诸如非甾体抗炎药类似的作用，甚至会有替代这类药物的可能性。

顺便来张疼痛评估表，痛到深处自然嚎。网络图片©

结语：据说庚子年八国联军抢京城的时候牛气轰天啊，这篇文章却让我看到，洋人怎么吃个生姜都怕吃死似的——只要不吃烂姜，少量姜一般都没事。俺们常听人说，上床萝卜，下床姜；男人晨起三片姜，又降阴来又升阳；男人不可三日无姜；晚上食用姜，赛过喝砒霜。老姜煨鸡、姜辣蛇，以及蜀国人泡菜中一道泡子姜，这些菜都美到让人大喊爽歪歪，有啥不安全？暑天来杯姜茶，既消暑又降温，且美着呢。再好的东西，过量当然就有副作用啦！我估计这位作者没来过中国，或者没吃过中餐，至少没见过真正的中国厨师，所以才这么小心谨慎。当然啦，有的人天生娇贵，沾不得姜啊辣啊什么的，吃口辣椒哭半天，吃个鸡蛋都过敏，也是常有的事，这也算“物之不齐，物之情也”，我们不怪他们！但说真的，姜真是个好东西——中国人都知道！至于晚上为什么不能吃姜，据说是因为姜有促进胃液分泌的作用，晚上睡前不吃东西是为了保住身材，吃了姜就会增强饥饿感，所以睡前忍不住要吃东西，结果就会长肉肉。其实并不是说晚上吃生姜真的有毒。我吃过，没事儿呀！实在吃不得，还可以用姜水泡脚嘛！不过别听我这“江湖郎中”一面之词，最好还是别吃，您金贵啊！我天生贱命一条，大概一般“毒药”对我不管用吧？其实看看“本草”，这篇文章对中国人兴许产生不痛不痒的启发；对洋人兴许还有点帮助。如今大家生活在“地球村”，拿来一瞧，倒也无妨。

哔哔一扫，做个相好。