Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Backache

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has long been used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for a wide range of ailments, including musculoskeletal pain and inflammation. Its primary active compound, curcumin, is believed to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which are cited as reasons for its traditional use in backache and other types of body pain. Historical texts and traditional practitioners often recommend turmeric—either as a paste applied topically or consumed orally—to help relieve back pain, joint pain, and other inflammatory conditions.

Scientific research over the past two decades has provided some support for turmeric's anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in relation to joint pain and arthritis. However, direct high-quality clinical evidence specifically evaluating turmeric for backache is limited. Most studies focus on its use for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with mixed but generally positive results. These findings suggest a possible benefit for musculoskeletal pain, but cannot be directly extrapolated to backache due to the unique causes and pathophysiology of back pain.

Overall, while turmeric is traditionally used for backache and related conditions, and there is some scientific rationale based on its anti-inflammatory properties, robust clinical trials specifically investigating its efficacy for back pain are lacking. Therefore, the evidence is rated as moderate (2/5) and remains primarily traditional, though ongoing research may provide greater clarity in the future.

More about turmeric
More about Backache

Other ingredients used for Backache

ashwagandha
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
bасора
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
citrus oil
collagen
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
ginger
gotu kola
heartwood
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian tinospora
jujube
kudzu
magnesium
milk
moringa
mustard seed
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
plantain
quail egg
rhizome
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
almond fruit
vitamin D
vitamin D3
water
white willow
wild yam
sarsaparilla
yellow root
squawvine
gastrodia
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
punarnava
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
morus
root tuber
silk tree
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
flowering quince
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
purslane
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
wood betony
paw paw
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
clematis
Aralia
akebia
Antler
Ardisia
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Alsonia scholaris
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspen
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Bermuda Grass
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Butternut
Bogbean
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Chinese Silkvine
Caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Chymopapain
coconut oil
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Curcuma
cypress
Cornus
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Costus
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Deer Root
Dragonhead
Devil's Club
David's Milkberry
Dwarf Nettle
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
Elk antler
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fang-Feng
Ficus religiosa
Fernbush
Ficus simplicissima
Flemingia philippinensis
Frankincense
Genipap
Gnaphalium
Golden Eye-grass
Giant Blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Garden Cress
Galbanum
Golden Shower Tree
Golden Willow
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Poppy
Spikenard
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Edema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Glaucoma
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Halitosis
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Lice
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Mumps
Muscular Dystrophy
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Parasites (general)
Pets (supplements for)
Phlebitis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sciatica
Scratches and Abrasions
Senility
Skin (infections)
Slivers
Snake Bite
Sprains
Staph Infections
Stiff Neck
Stye
Tendonitis