Turmeric and ginger changed some inflammatory markers in a coronavirus trial
A short outpatient trial found greater reductions in selected blood markers than placebo, without establishing better symptoms, faster recovery, or equivalent effects between supplements.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Turmeric and ginger each produced greater reductions in C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate than placebo during this short trial. Other measured markers did not differ significantly across groups. The findings concern laboratory changes in outpatients and do not establish improvements in symptoms, recovery, or the risk of severe illness.
The abstract reports no clinical recovery or safety outcomes and gives no numerical size for the marker reductions. A nonsignificant difference between turmeric and ginger does not establish that their effects are equivalent.
What researchers found
C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Baseline-to-day-6 changes favored each supplement over placebo. The p value describes statistical evidence; absolute reductions and confidence intervals were not reported.
The laboratory response was mixed
The trial measured several blood markers before and after treatment. C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate favored the supplement groups, while lactate dehydrogenase and white blood cell counts did not differ significantly across groups.
The supplements were not proven equivalent
The direct comparison found no statistically significant difference between turmeric and ginger for the improved markers. That result leaves uncertainty about their relative effects; it does not demonstrate that they perform identically.
The original publication
A Triple-blind randomized controlled trial on the effects of turmeric versus ginger on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with COVID-19.
Saleh Z, Asgari MR, Ghorbani R et al.
Sci Rep · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40841392
- Record checked
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