Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Pain (general remedies for)

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Synopsis

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

Turmeric, and specifically its active compound curcumin, has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries to address pain and inflammation. Modern scientific research has increasingly investigated its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Multiple clinical studies and systematic reviews suggest that curcumin may reduce pain, particularly in conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory disorders. The mechanisms proposed include inhibition of inflammatory cytokines, suppression of NF-κB activity, and downregulation of COX-2 enzymes, all of which are involved in pain signaling and inflammation.

Randomized controlled trials have found that curcumin supplementation can modestly reduce pain scores compared to placebo, though its effects are generally less pronounced than standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Bioavailability of curcumin is an ongoing challenge, but formulations with enhanced absorption are being developed and tested. Side effects are generally mild, making turmeric a relatively safe adjunct for pain management.

Overall, while turmeric’s pain-relieving effects are supported by both traditional use and emerging scientific evidence, the strength of evidence is moderate (rated 3 out of 5). It may be beneficial as part of a comprehensive approach, especially for mild to moderate pain or for patients seeking alternatives to pharmaceuticals.

More about turmeric
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Other ingredients used for Pain (general remedies for)

allspice
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
cabbage leaf
California poppy
camu camu
cassia bark
celery
chen pi
cherry
Chinese salvia root
chymotrypsin
cissus quadrangularis
collagen
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
dog rose
ethanol
fennel
fenugreek
flaxseed
fruit blend (proprietary)
gelatin
ginger
gooseberry
gotu kola
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
jujube
kudzu
l-phenylalanine
lovage
magnesium
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
mint
nettle
spruce
okra
orange
peppermint oil
perilla
polygala root
protease
pumpkin
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
rutin
saffron
sage
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
strawberry
vitamin D
watercress
mulberry
white willow
zhejiang fritillary
sarsaparilla
yellow root
boneset
catnip
typhonium
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
smilax
fumaria parviflora
rubia cordifolia
swertia
chaff flower
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
yarrow
prickly ash
morus
root tuber
silk tree
haliotis
juniper berries
solomon's seal
amber
flowering quince
cistanche
dioscorea
teasel
sweetgums
lotus seed
birch
queen of the meadow
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
yucca
barrenwort
wintergreen
camphor oil
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
shepherd's purse
yerba mate
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
peach
noni
wood betony
biota seed
white oak
abies spectabilis
Sichuan pepper
soursop
geranium
arnica
clematis
sea salt
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alcohol
Aralia
Arjuna
akebia
Antler
Agastache
Alseodaphne andersonii
Angel's Trumpet
Aquilegia viridiflora
Alpha-Humulene
Alpha-terpineol
Agrimony
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Abrus
Alchornea
American Pawpaw
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Alchemilla
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Anserina
Agmatine
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Aquilegia formosa
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Actaea spicata
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Acer Truncatum bunge
Arjunic Acid
allyl isothiocyanate
Aspen
Ashoka
Argan nut oil
Asarabacca
Abuta
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Baliospermum
Black spruce
Blackthorn
Bleeding Heart
Bulnesia sarmientoi
bergenin
Blubber oil
Breadnut
Blepharis
Boswellic Acid
Bistort
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Bougainvillea
Brazillian peppertree
Bugbane
Bisabolene
Benfotiamine
Bael
Butternut
Bogbean
Black Gram
Bauhinia
Boswellia
Bethroot
Banyan
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Barbasco
Barbary matrimony vine
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
Black root
Baobab
Bupleurum
Bittersweet
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Black Hellebore
Bee venom
Bergenia
Bottle gourd
Cumin
Centella triterpenes
Calendula
Casearia esculenta
Common Monkey Flower
Chinese Mountain Ant
California Redbud
Calotropis gigantea
Carrapicho
Cucurbita
Codonopsis
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Citron
Cashew
Chinese Fleeceflower
Cymbidium goeringii
Cannabinol
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cajuput
Chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Coca
Capers
Celandine
Cinnamic Acid
Ceylon Leadwort
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Cissus sicyoides
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Campylandra fimbriata
Chenopodium
Chilean Wildnut
Cistus
Corktree
Cubeb
cypress
Cowslip
Cranesbill
Crinum latifolium
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Cannabidiol
Carlina
Calamus
Cherimoya
Cyanthillium cinereum
Corydalis
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
Collinsonia
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Colocynth
cola nut
Cynanchum
California False Hellebore
Cupuacu
Casearia sylvestris
Culvers Root
Currant
Calycophyllum
Cannabidiolic acid
Dimorphandra mollis
D-phenylalanine
Didymocarpus
Dendrobine
DIVI-DIVI
Dicentra formosa
Danshen
Dense Fruit Dittany
Deer Root
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dill
Dianthrone
Dwarf Morning Glory
Dolichos
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dimorphandra gardneriana
Dipsacus
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Erigeron
English Horsemint
Erythrina
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Emu Oil
Echinodorus
Enzyme Blend
Eupatorium
Elemi
Embelia
Eugenol
Fig
Goldthread
Lotus
Lily
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Oak
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut

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