Will Turmeric Help My Pain? Yes, According to Science.

Will turmeric help my pain? Yes, according to science. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can decrease your pain. And it is a natural remedy. Read further to find out more.

Flower of the Turmeric Plant/Mouse23/Pixabay

Which Spelling Is Correct?

Either way is acceptable; turmeric or tumeric.  And so is the pronunciation.  Just in case you were wondering!  I’m going with turmeric.  It appears to be the more common and accepted use of the word.  But you should be able to research it with either spelling.  

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a flowering plant that is native to India, Asia, and South America.  

Turmeric contains Curcumin, which is a bright yellow chemical.  The plants of the Curcuma longa species are the family that includes ginger.  The roots or rhizomes are the part of the plant from which we process turmeric.  

Curcumin is a polyphenol which is a naturally occurring compound and can affect the body at the cellular level.  It has been shown to have several health benefits.  For our purposes here, we will concentrate on the anti-inflammatory properties.  

Turmeric is a spice used in cooking, particularly from the above countries.  We now know that it contains properties which fight inflammation in the body.

Turmeric rhizomes/michernandez/Pixabay

Will Turmeric Help My Pain?

There appears to be evidence and scientific studies that support the efficacy of turmeric for helping manage pain, especially osteoarthritis.  This arthritis is related to unhealthy inflammation in the body.

Turmeric contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  These anti-inflammatory properties are what may help manage pain.  Unhealthy inflammation in our body causes tissues to swell and even feel hot.  This can cause pain.  

Therefore, if we are able to reduce this inflammation, we may be able to reduce our pain.  There does have to be a healthy balance though, because we want some inflammation systems in our body to fight things like infections.  

I wrote an article about inflammation.  If you want more information, check it out here.  What Is Inflammation in the Body and How Does It Affect Pain?

How can I take it?

There are many articles about how to take turmeric.  They include turmeric supplements, tea, or in liquid form.  You can also cook with turmeric.   

The body doesn’t naturally absorb turmeric, and therefore, does not benefit from its properties.  Research now shows that taking turmeric with pepper will increase its absorption.  If you want to benefit from taking turmeric for your pain, you should also take pepper along with it.  

I found a yummy recipe with turmeric and pepper. It’s called Turmeric-Black Pepper Chicken With Asparagus.  If you want to make it vegan, you can change out the chicken for tofu.  

I have a link here to my Thrive Market account where you can purchase Organic Honey Chai Turmeric Vitality tea.  It contains pepper and other spices, along with the turmeric.  It is a spicy beverage that will provide 750 mg of turmeric root.  If you use this link, I receive a small referral fee.  

If you are taking it in supplement form, make sure the supplement has pepper in it as well.  Research states that it is safe to take 400 to 600 mg up to three times a day.  But please monitor yourself for any adverse side effects. 

This article discusses the supplement option in great detail.  Read it if this is the option you are going to choose.  Turmeric: The Key to Inflammatory & Arthritis Pain?

Other Benefits of Turmeric

Beside being an anti-inflammatory and helping lessen pain, turmeric has been found to be beneficial in:

• Helping the body to deal with oxidative processes.  Aging has been linked to cell oxidation and turmeric fights this.
• May increase brain activity, and has been studied in dealing with Alzheimer’s.
• May lower the risk of heart disease.

So you see, this wonderful spice can impact you in multiple amazing ways.

Side Effects?

There are very few side effects to turmeric.  A very few people that took part in scientific studies reported diarrhea, headache and rash.  But they were in the minority.  

However, should you decide to add this to your body, do so with caution.  Keep an eye out for side effects; whether positive or negative.  

Why Does Turmeric Work?

Apparently turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory properties, is able to fight unwanted inflammation by suppressing the inflammation.  In simple terms, it aids the body in healing itself where tissue is inflamed in a chronic painful area.  

I used this article from the National Institutes of Health for reference.  It is helpful to read to see the many uses of turmeric.  And it is the article that I used to find out how science supports the use of turmeric to fight inflammation.

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor.  I have researched this subject because I want relief from my pain, and I don’t want to keep taking medication.  If you intend to add turmeric to your diet in any form, you should consult with your physician.  Especially if you are on blood thinners, as turmeric can also act as a blood thinner.  

Conclusion

Has this article answered your question about turmeric? I hope so. I am hopeful that turmeric can help ease some of my pain, and yours as well. Leave a comment about this article, or ask a question if I haven’t explored this topic enough.