It has become increasingly popular over the past few decades for researchers to figure out what plants could be used to heal human ailments naturally. One of those plants is turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa. It is coveted for its pain reduction and anti-inflammatory properties. (1)
It belongs to the ginger family and is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It was primarily cultivated in the southern part of India and still remains so. However, its cultivation has now spread across the world and is found in abundance in China, Africa and the tropics of Hawaii and Costa Rica. (1)
Turmeric finds its origin as a useful and healing plant in the ancient Ayurveda in India and is called a ‘natural aspirin.’ It is a great antiseptic and possesses antibacterial properties that help heal cuts or wounds. It clots bleeding effectively on a fresh injury and is used with milk to cure headaches and bad phlegm coughs that leave you with an aching chest. (1)
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Turmeric Benefits
Some of the benefits of turmeric are: (2)
- It expedites post-operative healing.
- Curcumin, a component present in turmeric, helps enhance digestive health.
- It helps with irritable bowel syndrome by soothing the digestive system.
- It can help treat pancreatitis and prevent cancer of the pancreas.
- It enhances muscular health, due to its analgesic and anti-arthritic properties.
- It acts as a protector of bones and strengthens bones in people suffering from osteoarthritis. It is a great healer of bone fractures.
- It improves anemic conditions by increasing the levels of hemoglobin in the blood.
- The most important part of our immune system is the production and removal of blood cells, which is done by an abdominal organ called the spleen. Turmeric enhances the spleen’s health by protecting it from toxicity caused by metal.
- It also relieves you from rashes and inflammation caused in psoriasis and eczema.
Ways to Use Turmeric for Pain and Inflammation
Here are seven ways that you can use turmeric to ease the pain, reduce inflammation and improve your health.
Method 1: Turmeric Milk
Turmeric milk can actually soothe your body and treat inflammation. (3) Red bumps on the skin and the pain caused by folliculitis, pain in the joints or stomachaches can all be cured by drinking this recipe. It also relieves swelling associated with wounds because it acts as a natural aspirin.
Drinking a glass of turmeric milk before going to bed each night will also ensure a good night’s sleep.
Things you’ll need:
- Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
- Milk – 1 glass
Single-StepTreatment: Mix turmeric with warm milk & drink it twice daily
- Heat a glass of milk until it’s warm.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder.
Drink this decoction twice a day.
Method 2: Turmeric, Ginger & Honey
Ginger is known to alleviate menstrual cramps, arthritis, headaches and muscle soreness because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also purifies the blood and enhances blood circulation in your body. (4)
Things you’ll need:
- Turmeric – 1 teaspoon
- Ginger, grated – 1 teaspoon
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
- Water – 1 cup
Step 1. Boil water & add turmeric powder and grated ginger
- Boil 1 cup of water in a kettle.
- Add 1 teaspoon each of turmeric powder and grated ginger.
- Bring it to a boil again.
Step 2. Strain the infused water into a cup and add honey
- Strain the decoction into a cup and allow it to cool.
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to it and mix well.
You can drink this twice a day for 1 week, but not more than that. You will be able to feel relief from your pain.
Method 3: Turmeric & Coconut Oil
Arthritis can cause immense and unbearable pain, which makes it difficult to do normal activities like walking, sitting and standing. Coconut oil is a great source of antioxidants that can strengthen the body against diseases.
Regularly massaging the painful, inflamed and swollen areas with a turmeric and coconut oil paste can provide much relief from arthritis symptoms and help you resume normal activities of life.
Things you’ll need:
- Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon
- Extra-virgin coconut oil – 1 teaspoon
Single-StepTreatment: Apply a paste of coconut oil and turmeric powder to relieve pain
- Mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin coconut oil in a bowl.
- Apply this mixture on the affected area.
Use this paste whenever you feel pain.
Method 4: Warm Curried Soup
We included basil leaves in this recipe because basil is an amazing anti-inflammatory herb and is known to ease pain and joint swelling caused by arthritis.
Things you’ll need:
- Turmeric powder – 1 tablespoon
- Garlic, chopped – 2 or 3 cloves
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Ginger, sliced – 1-inch piece
- Peppercorns – 4 or 5 corns
- Basil leaves – 7 or 8 leaves
- Water – 1½ cups
Step 1. Heat water & add turmeric powder and ginger root
- Heat 1½ cups of water in a pan over medium heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder.
- Grate a 1-inch piece of sliced ginger and add it to the water as well.
Step 2. Add basil, garlic, and peppercorns & bring it to a boil
- Add 7 or 8 basil leaves, 2 or 3 chopped garlic cloves and 4 or 5 whole peppercorns to the water.
- Bring it to a boil.
Step 3. Strain the mixture into a cup & add honey
- Strain the decoction into a cup and let it cool down until it’s warm.
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it and mix well.
Eat this soup twice a day for 3 days to see a reduction in pain. You can prepare the soup in bulk and heat it every time you want to have a bowl.
Method 5: Turmeric & Honey
Honey has great antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Along with turmeric, it can provide immense help with relieving pain. (5)
Things you’ll need:
- Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
Single-Step Treatment: Apply a turmeric and honey paste on the inflamed area
- Combine 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Mix it well, so that there are no lumps.
- Apply this paste on the inflamed area. Reapply if needed.
You can consume this as well.
Method 6: Turmeric Tea
A brew of herbal tea is always a great option because you can just chug down the goodness of all herbs in one easy go.
Things you’ll need:
- Turmeric powder - 1 tablespoon
- Cinnamon - 1 tablespoon
- Ginger, sliced - 1 teaspoon
- Clove powder - a pinch
- Ground black peppercorns - a pinch
- Water - 1 cup
- Honey - as desired for taste
- Coconut milk - ½ cup
Step 1. Pour water and add turmeric, clove powder and ginger to it
- Heat 1 cup of water in a pan over medium heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of sliced ginger root and a pinch of clove powder.
Step 2. Add cinnamon & peppercorns powder to it. Boil and strain
- Put 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder and a pinch of ground black peppercorns into the water.
- Once the water has come to a boil, strain the contents into a cup.
Step 3. Let it cool, add honey and coconut milk
- Allow the concoction to cool down.
- Add ½ cup of coconut milk and honey for taste.
Mix the concoction well and drink it not more than twice a day to get rid of inflammation or pain.
Method 7: Golden Paste
This recipe uses olive oil and peppercorns. Since turmeric is not absorbed very well in the body, a component called piperine in the peppercorns helps in the absorption process. Also, using any organic oil like extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil helps with absorption, as they have good fats in them.
This is not the tastiest of recipes, but you can mix this paste with other food to make it easier to consume.
Things you’ll need:
- Turmeric powder – ¼ cup
- Water – ½ cup
- Ground black peppercorns – 1 teaspoon
- Olive or coconut oil – 2½ tablespoons
Step 1. Heat water and add all the ingredients
- Heat ½ cup of water on medium temperature and add 1/4 cup of turmeric powder to it.
- Put 1 teaspoon of ground black peppercorns and pour 2 ½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into the pan.
- Stir it well to get a thick consistency.
- This could take anywhere between 6 and 10 minutes.
- You can add more water if you think the paste is too thick. Similarly, you can add more turmeric if you think the paste is too runny.
Step 2. Let the paste cool. Store and use it
- Allow the paste to cool down, transfer it to a jar and refrigerate it.
- Use it for joint pain and inflamed area of the body.
Consume this 2 or 3 times a day in small quantities.
Tips to keep in mind
- Store it for not more than 1 to 2 weeks.
- Avoid consuming the turmeric and honey concoction, if you have inflammation or other ailments related to sugar.
- There is a possibility that you might not like the taste of it. In which case, you can consume this with smoothies and salads.
- Use all organic products only for all the above recipes for enhanced health benefits.
Resources:
- Chainani-Wu N. Safety and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin: A Component of Tumeric (Curcuma longa). Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. | Home. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/107555303321223035. Published July 5, 2004.
- Gupta SC, Patchva S, Aggarwal BB. Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1208/s12248-012-9432-8. Published November 10, 2012.
- Prasad S. Turmeric, the Golden Spice. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/. Published 2011.
- Prasad S. Turmeric, the Golden Spice. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/. Published 2011.
- Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F. Honey, and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28539734. Published 2017.