Q: I’ve been having lots of problems with my right knee since I slipped and fell about three years ago. It hurts, swells up and even makes me limp. I’m on my feet a lot at work so I can’t baby it like I would like to so it can get better faster. When I mentioned my problem to a workman at my company, he told me he had a similar problem and worked it out with turmeric. I didn’t even know where to find the product so he picked it up for me over-the-counter at a local store. I tried it and cannot believe how good it makes me feel. I have much more flexibility, none of the pain, and feel like this spice is a miracle drug. Have you any information on this?
A: Turmeric is a herbaceous perennial plant in the ginger family, native to South Asia. It thrives in warm, climates of between 68 and 86 degrees where there is ample rainfall. The plants are gathered each year for harvesting. When not used fresh, the roots, or rhizomes and bulbs are boiled for about a half hour, dried in hot ovens, and ultimately ground into a powder that is orange/yellow in color and used as a spice or for other purposes. The active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin that tastes slightly bitter, pepper hot, resembles mustard, with a rather earthy smell. It is widely used for coloring foods and is a significant ingredient in most curry powders sold commercially. Outside South Asia, turmeric has been used in yogurt, ice cream, yellow cakes, orange juice, icings for cakes, sauces, and a host of other products.
On to the medical aspect of this herb that has received a lot of press lately. In India it is used as a remedy for stomach and liver ailments, for healing ulcers, a variety of skin, gastrointestinal and pulmonary disorders. Curcumin has been used for many years in the US for the treatment of diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and allergies. It is purported to contain antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant properties. As of 2012 the National Institutes of Health had 71 registered clinical trials either underway or completed to study curcumin for a variety of clinical disorders.
Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile which is believed by some to improve digestion. One double-blind placebo controlled study that was not identified further in an article I read indicated that turmeric reduced symptoms of bloating and gas in individuals suffering from indigestion.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one study regarding individuals suffering from the pain of osteoarthritis found that people using an Ayurbedic formula of herbs and minerals with turmeric, winter cherry, boswellia and zinc had less pain and disability; however because of the combination of ingredients, it is impossible to know if the turmeric alone was responsible for the improvement experienced.
Herbs for healing are a time-honored approach to treating disorders and strengthening the body. Turmeric has the capability of lowering blood sugar levels. If combined with other medications for diabetes, it could cause hypoglycemia. The product also acts as an anticoagulant and can interfere with the action of a number of drugs that include Pepcid, Zantac, Prevacid and others. Remember that any herb can trigger side effects and may interact with other supplements or drugs you may be on. Therefore, no product should be taken without the approval of your health care provider.
Thank you for writing.
