A video on TikTok claims that boiling pineapple leaves and ginger for about 30-35 minutes and drinking it twice a day for 40 days is a cure for arthritis.
The 53 seconds video which was posted on May 2, 2025 is captioned ”ARTHRITIS #arthritis #pineapple #ginger #healingjourney”. As of the time this report was published, it had garnered about 380,000 views, over 5,800 likes, about 242 comments, over 1,450 bookmarks and about 9,300 shares on the platform.
VERIFICATION
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the joints. It refers to a group of more than 100 different conditions that affect the joints, the tissues surrounding the joints, and other connective tissues. The main symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, stiffness and swelling and reduced range of motion, amongst others.
The causes of arthritis are genetics, age, joint injuries, autoimmune diseases, infections and metabolic issues (like in gout). While there is no cure for most types of arthritis, treatment options like medications (pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and disease-modifying drugs), physical therapy, lifestyle changes (exercise, weight management) and joint surgery can help manage symptoms.
What Does Pineapple Leaves and Ginger Have to Do With Arthritis?
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) contains bromelain (primarily in the stem and fruit), an enzyme that may help reduce inflammation. However, pineapple leaves are not commonly used in medicinal practices.
A Healthline article revealed that pineapple leaf extracts are rich in phenols. Phenols are compounds that, according to animal studies using pineapple leaf extract, may have potent health benefits. Other compounds of medicinal interest found in pineapple leaves include p-coumaric acid (CA), flavonoids, tannins, bromelain, glycosides, proteins, and ascorbic acid. Studies on animals found that pineapple leaf extract may potentially reduce blood cholesterol, improve digestion, provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but some of the compounds found in pineapple leaves may be toxic to humans.
For Ginger, it contains compounds like gingerol, which have been shown in some studies to reduce inflammation and pain. It provides symptomatic relief for people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis when taken regularly. However, ginger is not a cure, only a complementary therapy.
There is no peer-reviewed research or official medical guideline recommending this specific drink as a cure. Arthritis is a complex condition involving joint inflammation; no single food or drink can cure it. Effective treatment often includes medication, physical therapy, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
What do the Experts Have to Say?
Dr. Etido Akwaowo, a lecturer in the department of Botany, University of Calabar said that “there has been no trials of pineapple leaves,” but “ginger has shown that it has the ability to reduce inflammation”, while also noting that the pains experienced by an arthritic patient is due to inflammations.
Chinaza Onwubiko, a Pharmacist with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, revealed that “extracts from pineapple leaves have not been used so far for any pharmaceutical medicine,” reaffirming that “arthritis is among the list of conditions that has no cure but only managed.” She advised that “any unwell person should seek proper medical treatment, rather than resort to drinking concoctions as these drinks might contain heavy metals that could damage the lungs and kidneys.”
CONCLUSION
The claim that a cure of arthritis is drinking boiled pineapple leaves and ginger is CLINICALLY UNPROVEN. While some natural ingredients like ginger may have anti-inflammatory properties that could help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, there is no clinical evidence to support the idea that boiled pineapple leaves mixed with ginger juice is a cure for arthritis.
