Turmeric V. Ibuprofen for Pain (2024)

FAQs

Turmeric V. Ibuprofen for Pain? ›

There are various studies looking at the benefits of turmeric, including several that showed turmeric to be just as effective as ibuprofen for reducing inflammation, swelling and pain. However, more research is necessary to confirm these effects.

In two recent studies Turmeric was found to be more effective than Ibuprofen for post surgical pain and swelling and delayed muscle soreness, both were dosed between 1,500-5,000 mg per day. How Does Turmeric Work? Turmeric inhibits a protein and enzyme in the body that promote inflammation.

Taking turmeric extracts, alone or together with other herbal ingredients, can reduce pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis. Turmeric might work about as well as ibuprofen for reducing pain. But it doesn't seem to work as well as another drug, called diclofenac.

The Science Behind Turmeric and Turmeric Extracts

Multiple studies have shown that taking higher doses of curcumin in supplement form — around 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day — had similar pain relief effects to taking a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Taking turmeric supplements may put you at a higher risk of getting kidney stones. Don't take turmeric supplements if: You're taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil , Motrin ), or Acetaminophen (Tylenol ). Turmeric may lessen the effects of these medications.

The authors concluded that there is some evidence to suggest that taking curcumin each day for 8-12 weeks can help reduce joint pain and inflammation due to arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis.

Curcumin May Be More Beneficial Than Turmeric for Specific Conditions. As curcumin is considered the most active ingredient in turmeric, researchers have begun to isolate it and examine whether it could benefit certain conditions on its own ( 6 ).

How much turmeric should you consume to retain the health benefits? Here are a few helpful tips to get you started. Sayer uses 1/2 - 1.5 teaspoons per day of the dried root powder, certified organic. A typical dose of supplemental curcumin is about 250mg per day, and often increased when dealing with a condition.

When taken by mouth or applied to the skin, turmeric — and the curcumin it contains — appears to be generally safe when limited to less than 8 grams a day. That said, different amounts often are recommended depending on the health condition being addressed, and higher doses have been used for limited periods of time.

What is the strongest natural anti-inflammatory? ›

Studies show that turmeric could be beneficial in doses ranging from 500–2,000 milligrams (mg) per day. However, the recommended dosage can vary depending on the specific condition you're trying to treat.

Turmeric is a widely used nutraceutical for various ailments due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In-vitro studies have shown turmeric modulates the NF kappa Beta immune response in a similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Avoid using turmeric together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, dandelion, danshen, evening primrose, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, and willow.

People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for 4,000 years to treat a variety of conditions. Studies show that turmeric may help fight infections and some cancers, reduce inflammation, and treat digestive problems. Many studies have taken place in test tubes and animals.

Naproxen. Naproxen (Aleve) is the most powerful anti-inflammatory pain reliever available without a prescription. It is especially effective for sprains, sunburns and arthritis and other conditions. Similar doses of Naproxen tend to last longer than other non-prescription pain relievers.