Advantages and uses of turmeric for pain relief

Turmeric is a tasty yellow spice with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. One of its main advantages is its ability to relieve joint, muscle and nervous pain.

Jump at the main dishes to remember.

How does turmeric curcumin affect the pain?

Turmeric contains various substances with medicinal properties, including curcuminwhich has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory advantages.

Curcumin is best known for its natural touage properties. It works by inhibiting protein production that makes the body feel the pain. It can also affect pain receptors in the body.

Turmeric can have effects similar to pain relievers, the drugs used to relieve pain. According to a 2018 review, turmeric supplements were useful to reduce painful sensations, which were attributable to curcumin. These effects can make a powerful treatment for the management of conditions which cause joint, muscle and nerve pain.

Research on turmeric for 5 types of pain

1. Arthritis bread

In a study in 2022 of people with Osteoarthritis (OA)A type of joint pain that is often due to age and wear, curcumin has proven more effective to relieve pain than placebo (inactive treatment) and comparable to the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Researchers have concluded that curcumin can be used in addition to traditional treatments because of its few side effects.

A study revealed that turmeric capsules as effective as oral anti-inflammatory voltaren (Diclofenac). Researchers reported that even if curcumin has a similar efficiency in diclofenac, it was better tolerated by individuals knee. Therefore, it could be an alternative treatment to NSAIDs.

It has been found that curcumin reduces the effects of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)A type of inflammatory and autoimmune arthritis, in which the synovial (mucosa of the joints) is wrongly attacked by the immune system. Turmented supplements can improve inflammation and clinical symptoms of the disease.

2. Muscle pain

Curcumin can help your muscles recover and even reduce muscle lesions after physical activity by taming inflammation.

A 2018 study revealed that curcumin reduced muscle lesions and pain after intense exercise. Curcumin has also turned out to be countering the two main causes of muscle damage – inflammation and oxidative stress (an imbalance between highly reactive molecules, called free radical and antioxidant in cells) – because it interferes with multiple inflammatory paths.

3. Nervous pain

Curcumin can help relieve associated symptoms diabetic neuropathy (damage the nerve associated with diabetes). These symptoms include numbness, tingling, stab wounds and burns in the hands and feet. It can also cause relief of the nerve and tissue pain after surgery.

In a journal in 2021, scientists analyzed the effects of curcumin in studies both neuropathic pain (pain resulting from nerve lesions) and postoperative pain (pain felt after surgery), some of which were carried out in laboratory or animal models, and some in humans.

Although more clinical (human) studies are necessary, the authors of the journal have suggested that curcumin could be a promising option to mitigate and prevent both types of pain.

4. Fibromyalgia pain

Fibromyalgia causes pain in muscles and connective tissues throughout the body. It is believed that it is the result of a system of perception of defective pain, leading to an increased sensitivity of pain.

In animal models, curcumin has been shown to remove the production of inflammatory enzymes derived from white blood cells, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with conditions which cause increased sensitivity to pain (hyperalsia) and feel pain in response to normally non -bread stimuli (allody). Additional research is necessary to conclude what are the effects in humans and other possible uses of curcumin.

5.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can reduce back pain. This has been demonstrated in a 2024 study evaluating the effectiveness of a formulation of Turmeric-Boswellia.

Boswellia, also known as Indian Fundincens, is an extract based on plants that has proven to reduce inflammation.

In this study, pain relief was rapid. All participants in the Turmeric-Boswellia study reported a significant reduction in pain in about 76 minutes against 190 minutes in the placebo group. Pain relief was also significant and improvements were noted in rest, movement and pressure.

The researchers concluded that the oral formulation of Turmeric-Boswellia provided a significant relief of low back pain within four hours of administration.

How to add turmeric to your diet

You can add turmeric to:

You could also consider using turmeric to make golden milk. To make this drink:

1. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of turmeric to 1 cup of hot milk.
2. Add the black pepper, cinnamon and honey.
3. Reheat over low heat for 10 minutes.

Turmeric and curcumin supplements

Another option to add turmeric to your diet. Supplements generally contain up to 95% curcumin. The foundation of arthritis notes that experts recommend twice a day 500 milligrams (MG) of a high quality turmeric supplement for the management of osteoarthritis or PR.

What are the possible side effects?

Turmeric is generally safe when used in the short term. It generally does not cause side effects.

If side effects are experienced, they are generally soft and may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Urticaria
• Nausea
• Rash
• Stomach

Side effects are more common with higher doses. Higher doses can also interact with certain drugs, including pain relievers, chemotherapy drugs, anticoagulants and immunosuppressive drugs.

Main to remember

• Turmeric is a tasty spice that has proven to be a natural analgesic, capable of managing arthritis, fibromyalgia and muscle and nervous pain.
• You can add turmeric to your favorite dishes and drinks or take supplements.
• Turmeric is generally safe for most people, but it can cause side effects when used in high quantities.