A Dose of Turmeric for Your Joint Pain
Turmeric or Curcuma longa is a spice which is an essential spice in Indian cuisine. Turmeric has been an essential part of Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese medicine and is known for its multifaceted benefits in arthritis pain, wound healing, muscle aches as well as strains and sprains.
What does turmeric do?
The most active chemical ingredient of turmeric is curcumin which not only gives it the aroma and the yellowish orange color but also imparts turmeric a potent medicinal remedy. Turmeric has been recommended by doctors for the patients complaining of sore and achy joints and especially in relieving pain in sports injuries and athletes.
Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and protects the cells from oxidative damage. The curcuminoids present in turmeric also initiate an inflammatory reaction by inhibiting the expression of the pain enzyme COX 2.
What are the researchers saying?
Research has proven that curcumin works better than many other drugs in alleviating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that curcumin is more effective in alleviating tenderness and swelling of joints among other benefits. It also has the added benefit of being devoid of many adverse effects. Curcumin is also endowed with potent anti-inflammatory property which prevents the triggers producing swelling and pain. Another study has also shown that when turmeric was taken by patients suffering from osteoarthritis, there was a considerable decrease in pain and stiffness and an improved physical function and mobility after a period of 90 days.
Other studies have compared the effects of curcumin with ibuprofen for pain relief in 107 people with knee osteoarthritis and reported that curcumin is at par with ibuprofen in alleviating pain and improving function of the knee. It has also been proven in studies that curcumin can be safely taken regularly for up to three consecutive months.
Other turmeric supplements containing curcuminoids have also been reported to reduce the joint inflammation and destruction.
How to take turmeric?
Turmeric can be added as a spice for flavoring soups or stews. Turmeric tea can also be taken. For therapeutic purposes curcumin supplements can be taken. Turmeric is also available in health food stores in the form of pills or capsules. Taking turmeric along with pepper increases the absorption and efficacy of turmeric. It has been recommended that 1000 mg of turmeric pill can be taken once a day.
Turmeric can also be used for topical application to treat the arthritic joints. A paste is prepared by mixing 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder with 1 or more tablespoons of 70% DMSO and applied topically to relieve the pain. The paste can either be rubbed over the sore joint or allowed to dry or it can be applied at the specific site, wrap the joint in a plastic wrap and covered with heating pad for 20 to 30 minutes.
A word of caution
Turmeric should not be mixed with blood thinning agents since it has the ability to slow down the clotting of blood. Turmeric should also be avoided at least two weeks before any major surgery. In any case, you should always consult your doctor before starting off on turmeric.
Category: HEALTH, HERBAL REMEDIES
