When it comes to Chinese and Indian medicine, they often go the holistic and herbal route, which is totally acceptable because there are a lot of naturally occurring substances which can have benefits for the human body.
One thing which is often used in herbal and natural remedies is turmeric.
Turmeric is said to have various properties which can help in reducing joint and other types of pain. Let’s take a closer look at turmeric, its active compound, and whether or not it reduces joint pain.
Turmeric and Curcumin
If you don’t know what turmeric is, it’s a spice that originates from India comes from a very tall plant with an orange-yellow stem, and it’s often referred to as the “Indian saffron.” This amazing spice is often used in cooking (particularly for curry), and people also make tea out of it.
However, this spice doesn’t just taste good, it’s actually very healthy too.
Now, it’s not actually the turmeric itself which is so healthy, but the active compound in it, which is known as curcumin. This is why practitioners of traditional medicine in India and China use turmeric in their natural remedies.
Curcumin – A Natural Anti-inflammatory
There is plenty of research which shows that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has a variety of benefits for the human body. When it comes to joint pain, curcumin is beneficial because it is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Whether you have general joint pain, swelling, and inflammation, or you actually have diagnosed arthritis, all of that inflammation and tenderness in the joints can hurt.
However, it has been shown that taking turmeric (curcumin), on a regular basis can go a long way in reducing that inflammation, and therefore reducing pain as well.
In fact, there have been various studies conducted over the years which prove that turmeric/curcumin is actually an extremely effective treatment for inflammation in general, whether in your joints or otherwise.
It has been shown that taking 1,000 mg of curcumin per day can be just as effective, if not more effective at relieving joint pain and inflammation than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Curcumin Dosage for Joint Pain
The recommended dosage for curcumin intake for people suffering from joint pain, such as the pain caused by arthritis, is 1,000 mg per day.
It is recommended to split that up into 2 x 500 mg doses per day. Curcumin can cause upset stomachs and digestive issues, which is why it’s recommended to take supplements with food, just to help avoid potential upset stomachs.
If you are taking turmeric supplements, it is recommended that you find one which also contains phospholipids, antioxidants, or nanoparticles, as these substances aid in proper and efficient absorption.
Just be sure to consult a physician before beginning any sort of turmeric supplementation, as it can react with medicines, especially blood thinners.
Other Ways to Take Turmeric
Turmeric supplements are not the only way to get a good daily dosage of curcumin. You can also cook with turmeric and add it to salads, smoothies, curries, and other dishes.
Just be sure that you also have a good deal of black pepper in the food you are making, as it will help your body absorb the curcumin much easier.
Keep in mind that the curcumin content of turmeric is as low as 2% and in some cases as high as 9%.
Therefore, unless you cook with a lot of turmeric, you might not get enough curcumin in your system for it to make much of a difference. However, you can step up your game by making turmeric tea.
Simply buy some turmeric tea and prepare it just like you would with any other tea.
Other Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin
Not only does curcumin have benefits for joint pain, it has other benefits, although a little more research is required on this front.
Either way, it is shown that turmeric is also a great antioxidant, which can help to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and it’s great for the skin too.
It is even thought that turmeric has neuroprotective qualities, or in other words, it can help to maintain and promote healthy neuron structure and function in the brain.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, if you are suffering from joint pain and inflammation, curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is a great natural way to help relieve your pain.