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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), particularly its active compound curcumin, is widely used to support or treat arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The justification for its use is rooted in both traditional practices and emerging scientific studies, but there is now a moderate level of scientific validation supporting its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have investigated turmeric’s impact on arthritis symptoms. For example, a 2016 meta-analysis in the journal Journal of Medicinal Food examined several RCTs and concluded that turmeric extracts (around 1000 mg/day of curcumin) provided significant improvement in pain and function in osteoarthritis patients compared to placebo, with efficacy comparable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in some trials. Turmeric’s proposed mechanism involves inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and enzymes such as COX-2, thereby reducing inflammation and pain.

However, the overall quality of evidence is moderate due to limitations such as small sample sizes, short study durations, and variability in curcumin bioavailability. Most studies report only mild side effects, with gastrointestinal upset being the most common. While promising, larger and longer-term studies are needed to firmly establish efficacy and safety. Nonetheless, the current scientific evidence suggests that turmeric can be a helpful adjunct for managing arthritis symptoms, especially for those seeking alternatives to conventional medications.

More about turmeric
More about Arthritis

Other ingredients used for Arthritis

adrenal cortex
alfalfa
algal oil
allspice
aloe vera
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bamboo
barberry
basil
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
borage oil
boron
Indian frankincense
bovine
bovine gelatin
broccoli
bromelain
burdock
calamari oil
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
carrot
cartilage
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
celery
cherry
chondroitin
chymotrypsin
cinnamon
citrus oil
clove
collagen
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
copper
cordyceps
cowage seed
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
evening primrose oil
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
gelatin
genistein
ginger
ginseng
glucosamine
gooseberry
gotu kola
green lipped mussel
green tea
guggul
heartwood
hemp oil
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian tinospora
knotweed
kale
krill oil
kudzu
luteolin
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
moringa
mustard seed
myristoleate
n-acetyl-glucosamine
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
spruce
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
papain
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pregnenolone
pumpkin
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sardines
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
strontium
thyme
triphala
ubiquinol
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
white willow
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
squawvine
jiaogulan
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
gastrodia
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
commiphora
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
ferulic acid
silk tree
chrysanthemum
haliotis
juniper berries
solomon's seal
amber
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
royal jelly
guelder rose
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
yucca
barrenwort
wintergreen
menthol oil
gentiana macrophylla
noni
biota seed
goji berry
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
indigo leaves
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
clematis
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Ash
Aralia
Avens
akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Aminomonosaccharide
Animal Tissue
Antler
Alpha-Humulene
Ardisia
Angelica
Apigenin
Allicin
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Avocado
Anserina
Ascophyllum nodosum
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Andrographis
Ampelopsin
Actaea spicata
Asteracea
Avenacosides
Acetylsalicylic acid
Arjunic Acid
Aspen
Ant
Abalone
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Apocynin
Astragalin
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Betony
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
bergenin
Blubber oil
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Bone Marrow
Baicalein
Bee hive
Bovine Protein
Basidiomycota
berry
Bogbean
Boswellia
Black Poplar
Banyan
Black willow
Boxwood
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
Barbasco
Bone Protein
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Babassu
Bacteria
Borage
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Black root
Bupleurum
Bittersweet
benzyl isothiocyanate
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Bee venom
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Crustaceans
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Camelina Oil
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Capillary Artemisia
Cyanidin
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Cedar
Corktree
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Cabbage
Crinum latifolium
Cannabidiol
Cinnamaldehyde
Cytokines
Corallina officinalis
Carthamus
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Clerodendrum indicum
Currant
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Dimorphandra mollis
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Daphne
Devil's Club
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
Dwarf Nettle
Dulse
Diterpenes
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipsacus
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Eclipta
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Emu Oil
Enzyme Blend
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
Evening Primrose
Echium
Ecklonia
Glycosaminoglycans
Lotus
Mustard
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
walnut
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