Turmeric For Pain: The All Natural Supplement for Pain Relief

Turmeric For Pain: The All Natural Supplement for Pain Relief

Pain is one of the most common reasons Americans access the health care system. It is also a leading cause of disability.

One in every four Americans, approximately 76.2 million people, have suffered from pain that lasts longer than 24 hours. Millions more suffer from acute pain.

The effects of long term pain can stretch further than you think. Not only does it cause physical discomfort, but long term pain can impede your ability to do your job. It can put strain on your relationship with your loved ones. It can negatively affect your mental health.

Due to the side effects of prescriptions and medications, thousands of people are now being drawn more natural ways of relief. And when it comes to natural pain relief, turmeric is one of the best!

How Does Turmeric Treat Pain?

Chances are, you’ve tried turmeric. Turmeric is the spice responsible for giving the yellow color to in curries and many American mustards. The reason why people have been using turmeric for pain (and other medical properties) is due to the nature of curcumin, its primary active ingredient.

Curcumin fights pain by lowering pain sensations AND getting right to the source: inflammation. Inflammation is our body’s natural response to an injury or infection. The body releases certain enzymes and that creates the heat, redness, swelling, and pain one experiences.

woman in painInflammation is needed for healing, but problems begin when inflammation starts to get out of hand and causes chronic pain. Left unchecked, this can lead to several long term conditions, such as heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

What exactly leads to chronic inflammation, as well as the pain and other symptoms that can go with it, can be several reasons.

Sometimes it’s an inherent issue with the enzymes or the body has an improper response and releases the enzymes when not needed. Sometimes diet plays a role. Foods high in unhealthy fats (including saturated and trans fats), added sugars, preservatives, and refined carbohydrates can cause inflammation.

By regulating the inflammatory response in the body, curcumin cuts down on pain. Turmeric has other anti-inflammatory compounds, but curcumin is being proven to be the most critical in relieving pain.

Several studies have even shown that the effects of turmeric for pain is comparable to the effects of ibuprofen for pain, but with a lower chance of side effects!

Since pain doesn’t always come from the same source(s), and turmeric benefits the entire inflammatory system of your body (not just a specific area), turmeric’s effects can benefit a wide array of inflammatory conditions. Including:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Diverticulitis by reducing the swelling of colon pockets (diverticula)

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Gallstones and kidney stones

  • Headaches

  • Backaches caused by muscular strain, sprains or pulls

  • Osteoarthritis caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints

  • Gout

  • Ulcers

Turmeric for Pain and More

In addition to turmeric for pain relief, turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant.

Antioxidants help protect the body from free radicals that can cause cellular damage. As a result, turmeric has a wide array of applications beyond pain relief.

  • Indigestion

  • Depression

  • Stomach aches

  • Psoriasis

  • Anxiety

  • Lowered cholesterol

  • Viral infections

  • Cognitive decline from aging

  • Fungal infection

On top of all its other uses with curcumin, turmeric has over 20 fungicidal compounds. The versatility and relatively no side effects of turmeric for pain is a major reason why it is becoming so popular.

How Much Turmeric to Take for Pain Relief?

turmeric curcuminTurmeric’s efficacy is reflected in how you ingest it. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind that different brands and dosages will have different effects.

Here are some recommended dosages depending on what turmeric and/or curcumin you take:

  • Cut turmeric root: 1.5 to 3 g per day

  • Dried, powdered turmeric root: 1 to 3 g per day

  • Standardized powder (curcumin): 400 to 600 mg, 3 times per day

  • Fluid curcumin extract (1:1): 30 to 90 drops a day

  • Tincture (1:2): 15 to 30 drops, 4 times per day

In many cases, especially with injuries, one would take a larger dose in the beginning. Then after some time, decrease to a lower dose. If you have questions, it is recommended you discuss with your healthcare provider.

A majority of healthcare practitioners recommend pill or capsule form. One formulation that meets all criteria (potency, quality, and cost) is Tranquility Labs’ own Turmeric Curcumin 1000 with Bioperine®.

Our Turmeric Curcumin 1000 combines raw turmeric root powder with a concentrated 95% pure curcuminoids and BioPerine® extract. This unique formula allows for maximum potency and efficacy. The BioPerine® black pepper extract helps with curcumin’s absorption into the body, thus making it more effective.

When an herb has been used for over 4,000 years, it’s safe to say that there is something to believe about the hype! Notably, more and more scientific research is becoming available proving turmeric and curcumin’s benefits, especially for pain.

Do you use turmeric for pain relief? How has it helped you? Please feel free to share your experience(s) with the community in the comments below!