Ginger Compress Therapy – A Painless Solution for Kidney Failure Patients

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most outgrowing diseases of all, and globally, about 10% of the world's population is affected. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when the kidney can no longer perform its function to full capacity. There are currently two treatment options for CKD: dialysis and transplantation. Both existing treatment options have their demerits, including high cost, pain, sleep disturbances, restlessness, graft rejection, and much more. Zingiber officinale, also commonly known as ginger, is one of the most commonly used household herbs and a potential medicinal herb. It contains various phytochemicals such as essential oils, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponin, tannin, protein, and carbohydrates. Ginger has been reported for multiple medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-arthritic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective. The nephroprotective properties of ginger are less explored than their other therapeutic properties. Few research data suggest that the aqueous extracts of ginger lowered blood glucose, serum, urea, and creatinine levels in diabetic-induced rats. It also helped to restore the changes in the kidney due to toxicity. Thus, it protects renal tissues from structural damage caused by hypoglycemia, inhibits cholesterol absorption due to oxidative stress, and also boosts the kidney's defense mechanism. The in silico work performed on 64 phytochemicals against the Vitamin D3 receptor target protein of CKD showed the binding efficiency of phytochemicals against this target. Diterpene (Lactone) has shown a better binding score with optimal ADMET properties. Ginger compress therapy is a very simple treatment process, using pieces of ginger boiled in hot water, after which a towel is soaked in this ginger water and spread over the lower portion of the patient's back for around 30 minutes. After this, the area must be rubbed with a few drops of gingelly oil. Currently, many Siddha and Ayurveda practitioners in India and many other countries use this therapy to cure numerous patients. Deeper research into this therapy could enhance efficiency and provide a scientific approach.