Abstract
Inflammation and immune mediators exacerbate COVID-19; turmeric and ginger possess antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that may mitigate this response. This study compared the effects of turmeric and ginger on inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19. This triple-blind randomized clinical trial enrolled 144 COVID-19 outpatients at Kowsar Hospital (Semnan, Iran) in 2021. Participants were randomly allocated to group C (turmeric), group G (ginger), or group P (placebo) using blocked randomization and consumed three 500 mg tablets daily for five days (15 tablets total). Inflammatory markers-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)-were measured at baseline and on day 6. LDH and WBC levels did not differ significantly among groups (p = 0.349 and p = 0.663, respectively). Changes in CRP and ESR varied significantly across groups (p < 0.001), with greater reductions observed in the turmeric and ginger groups compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001), and no difference between the turmeric and ginger groups (CRP: p = 0.263; ESR: p > 0.99). Turmeric and ginger exerted equivalent anti-inflammatory effects; therefore, either agent may serve as a complementary therapy alongside standard treatment to reduce CRP and ESR in COVID-19 outpatients. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, Trial No IRCT20120109008665N14. Registered 31/08/2021.