Turmeric for Pain Relief: Neuropathic and Muscle

Turmeric for Pain Relief: Neuropathic and Muscle Relief

We've all had muscle soreness and pain at some point in our lives.  Instead of taking pain medication and suffering with it day to day, what if we actually took the step to get to the bottom of the problem?  What does research reveal?  Well, our modern lives are set up to ultimately slowly kill us.  Didn't we create all these time-saving inventions that were supposed to make our lives easier?  Somehow, some way, our lives actually became more stressed.  So stressed that it has created an avalanche of wide-spread systemic inflammation.  And inflammation, the experts say, is the root cause of most diseases.  It leads to all kinds of health problems, causing the body's immune system to being persistently activated, triggering chronic inflammation, which can be hard for our bodies to overcome.

Inflammation can be caused by physical and emotional stress, triggering the release of pro-inflammatory molecules.  Experts say long-term inflammation causes chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes or heart disease---and it can lead to other diseases like auto-immune issues or cancer.  Our lifestyle choices (poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption) act in tandem like a boulder rolling down the mountain to turn into the type of inflammation that turns into some type of manifestation of disease.  That said, we have a world of exciting healing choices in the world of herbs.  One amazing choice that is getting tons of press right now is the power of Turmeric.  It is one of the most powerful of plants that acts to calm inflammation. 

Where does it come from?  It comes from the Curcuma longa plant, a part of the ginger family. hat's used is the underground rhizome.  It is native to southern India and Indonesia but is now cultivated in other regions of the world because of its' popularity.  Today, turmeric remains a key ingredient in curries, spice blends, and traditional dishes across Asia and beyond. Its earthy, slightly bitter flavor and vibrant golden color make it a favorite in both cooking and natural remedies.  But it has a long history as a spice, dating back 2500 BCE from ancient India.

But it is its' ability to help with pain relief and help with neuropathic pain that we are talking about here.  Muscle pain, arthritis pain, nerve pain can all be helped by Turmeric because of its anti-inflammatory response.  The curcumin within Turmeric helps fight inflammation and helps to alleviate the chronic inflammatory state that causes neuropathic pain and muscle soreness.  It neutralizes free radicals and protects nerves and muscle tissues from oxidative stress and supports the healing process.  Studies have shown that it appears to stimulate receptors that help modulate pain signals and may also alter the way pain is perceived by the brain.  Other research has shown that it could help protect nerve cells from damage caused by toxins or metabolic stress, especially exciting for individuals managing neuropathic conditions.  For muscle pain, it also has an analgesic effect post-exercise so that recovery is speedy and soreness is cut down, which is great for athletes.

Okay, it is great. We are ready to get down to it.   So how do we utilize it?  They say you have to incorporate it into your diet in correct proportions and do it daily especially if you are addressing chronic conditions, at least until you see some relief.  They also say that incorporating black pepper helps to enhance the absorption. There are two ways to do it.  First is making Turmeric Water.

Warm Turmeric Water
Ingredients:

1 cup water

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (this helps boost the absorption of turmeric’s active compound, curcumin)

(Optional) 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (for natural sweetness; add only after the water has cooled slightly)

(Optional) Juice of ½ a lemon (for a tangy boost of vitamin C)

Instructions:

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Then remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes. It should be warm (lukewarm) rather than piping hot—especially if you plan to add honey, to preserve its beneficial properties.

Mix Spices: Pour the warm water into your favorite mug. Add the turmeric powder and black pepper. Stir well until the spices are fully dissolved.  Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir in your honey or maple syrup if you choose to sweeten the drink.  Sip your warm turmeric water slowly, ideally on an empty stomach, to fully appreciate its potential anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.

Or you can make a delicious warm milk.  Here's a recipe from Wellness Mama and the original link: How to Make Golden Milk (in Only 5 Minutes!)

Golden Milk Recipe (Turmeric Tea)

Golden milk is a great way to get the digestive and immune-boosting benefits of turmeric daily. Find out how to make this health-boosting drink in under 5 minutes!

Prep Time 4 minutes mins Cook Time 3 minutes mins Total Time 7 minutes mins

Course: Drinks Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 2

Calories: 163kcal

Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

• Blender

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk (Use your favorite milk, or use bone broth in place of the milk for a heartier tea)
• 1 tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch black pepper
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp raw honey (or maple syrup, optional)

Instructions

• Place all the ingredients (except the peppers) in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
• Pour into a small saucepan and heat for 3-5 minutes over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
• Stir in the pinch of black pepper and cayenne pepper if using.
• Drink immediately.

Notes

• Turmeric has a natural, vibrant yellow color and may stain blenders and countertops. The color will eventually fade, but making a thick paste of baking soda and water and scrubbing the stain can help.
   
• This pre-made turmeric ginger broth is a perfect option if you choose to make this tea with bone broth.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 418IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 308mg | Iron: 1mg