Natural Pain Relief With Turmeric & Ginger
Inflammation is responsible for chronic pain and disease, affecting millions of Americans. Most people manage pain and inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Ibuprofen. These drugs have dangerous side effects and are responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The FDA has even increased warnings that they can cause heart attacks and strokes. Other risks include DNA damage, digestive ulcers, bleeding, and kidney damage. What if there was a natural way to alleviate pain and inflammation without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs?
Turmeric and ginger have been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. Recently, these natural roots have achieved recognition in the wellness community for their support in many health conditions. Their medical benefits are backed by over 6,000 scientific publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals.
The efficacy of turmeric and ginger in alleviating pain and inflammation has been proven to be greater than prescription drugs. How? These roots contain natural compounds called curcuminoids and gingerols, which function as COX-2 inhibitors, which block the enzyme responsible for pain, swelling and inflammation. This achieves the same function as common medications for arthritis, but without harmful side effects.
A study published in the medical journal Trials compared the effectiveness of turmeric to that of an anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac.
The randomized trial gave 139 patients with knee pain either a 500-milligram (mg) capsule of curcumin three times a day or a 50-mg diclofenac pill twice daily. Scientists found that both groups experienced significant pain relief.
“Curcumin has similar efficacy to diclofenac but demonstrated better tolerance among patients with knee OA. Curcumin can be an alternative treatment option in the patients with knee OA who are intolerant to the side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,” the study authors wrote.
Aside from relieving pain and inflammation, these roots also contain a powerful dose of antioxidants, which fight free radicals and promote healthy aging.