Does turmeric really work for pain?

Turmeric has been around for centuries, but it’s recently gained popularity as a natural pain reliever. But does it really work? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of turmeric and find out if it’s worth all the hype.

What is Turmeric?

First things first, let’s talk about what turmeric actually is. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a spice commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It comes from the root of the curcuma plant and has a bright yellow color.

Fun fact: Did you know that turmeric was originally used as a dye before it became a spice? Who knew something that stains your clothes could also be used to flavor your food!

Aside from its culinary uses, turmeric has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments such as arthritis, digestive issues, respiratory problems, and skin conditions.

But how does it actually work? Well, turmeric contains an active compound called curcumin which gives it its anti-inflammatory properties. This is why many people turn to turmeric when they’re experiencing pain.

Here are some common ways people use turmeric for pain relief:

Topical Applications

Some people apply topical creams or ointments containing turmeric directly onto their skin. These products may help with conditions like arthritis or muscle soreness by reducing inflammation in affected areas.

While topical applications show promise for localized pain relief,there currently isn’t enough research on these methods alone.

Oral Consumption

The most common way people consume turmerics (yum!)is by adding it to their food or taking supplements containing concentrated amounts of curcumin.

One study found that daily consumption of 500-2,000 mg of curcumin can reduce joint paint and swelling similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). That’s great news for people who prefer a natural alternative to pain medication!

However, it’s important to note that tumeric supplements are not regulated, meaning different brands may have varying levels of curcumin content.

In addition,curcumin has low bioavailability which means the body doesn’t absorb it easily. Fortunately, some brands use methods like nanoemulsion or adding black pepper extract (piperine) which can increase the absorption of curcumin.

But before you go chugging a bottle of turmeric supplements, always be sure to consult with your healthcare provider first!

Injections

For more severe or chronic pain conditions, some people opt for injections containing curcumin directly into affected areas.

While this method is newer and still being researched adequately,it shows promise in managing post-surgical pain and neurological disorders.

What Does Research Say?

Despite its long history as an herbal remedy,alpha ample research testing and trials regarding turmeric specifically are currently lacking,hence Professor Michael Baum stating “its effectiveness remains unproven” convincingly enough!.

Here’s what we do know:

  • A randomized controlled trial published in Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine found that turmeric was just as effective as ibuprofen in reducing knee osteoarthritis.1

  • Another study in Phytotherapy Research showed that curcumin eased joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.2

  • However,a review of existing studies on using tuumeric supplementation for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) found no significant benefits.3

Although these tests did provide insights,turmerics efficacy at relieving certain types of pains still require further investigationin contradicting opinions . Many researchers agree that larger-scale clinical trials involving human subjects need to be conducted before any hard conclusions can be made about tumeric’s uses.

The Bottom Line

Overall, there is some evidence to suggest that turmeric can be effective at reducing certain types of pain. As a completely natural alternative, it’s certainly worth considering alongside traditional medication or therapy.

However,it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before adding any supplements,as they may interact with existing medications you’re taking.

So go ahead and add some extra turmeric in your next curry dish if you feel up for experimentation! Just know while it’s fascinatingly useful for other things like dyeing fabric , more research is needed to provide full effectiveness proof on whether this spice actually ranks high among recommended pain relief solutions.

References

  1. Henrotin Y et al., Curcumin: A New Paradigm and Therapeutic Opportunity for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis: Curcumin for Osteoarthritis Management, J Altern Complement Med 2010 Jul;16(7):891-7.
  2. Phytotherapy Research April 2012 study
  3. Lang A et al., Curcumin in Combination With Mesalamine Induces Remission in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol (2015)

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