Given the recent findings about naproxen and cox 2 inhibitors, is ginger a safe alternative for pain? what are any heart risks?

Ginger: Ginger is effective for nausea - it has no beneficial or harmful effects on the heart and no activity in relieving pain. Here is what the National Institutes of Health has to say about ginger: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ginger To treat arthritis, short acting NSAIDs are a reasonable trade-off. Use ibuprofen in the smallest dose that helps you. What benefit is there of living to 100 but miserable?