Have you ever considered using turmeric for pain relief? Wondering how to use turmeric for optimal effect? For the vast majority of ailments, from osteoarthritis to muscle injuries, reducing inflammation is a primary strategy for reducing pain. Inflammation is the result of the body’s immune response — either in response to an infection or injury or as a malfunction of the immune system (autoimmune disorder).
Aside from anti-inflammatory drugs and medications, a number of other strategies exist to reduce inflammation and thereby reduce pain. Ingesting certain foods and spices with known anti-inflammatory properties is one of the easiest ways to proactively manage pain to help supplement other medical treatment options.
How to Use Turmeric for Pain
Turmeric, which contains the chemical curecumin, is known to be effective at reducing inflammation in the body and is used to treat a wide variety of pain-inducing conditions ranging from arthritis and joint pain to headaches and even fibromyalgia. A member of the ginger family, you would probably be most familiar with turmeric as the main ingredient in curry, there is a whole host of ways to ingest and use turmeric for pain — even for people who cannot stand the taste of curry. Turmeric is surprisingly diverse and there are a number of ways that you can incorporate turmeric for pain relief into your everyday life. Here are some of our favorite ways for how to use turmeric for pain relief.
With tea
Adding a dash of turmeric to a cup of hot green or black tea gives it a nice twist. As a bonus, green and black teas also have a number of anti-inflammatory properties themselves, meaning that this combination is twice as nice. Try a sprinkle in your next cup of tea to see if it is your, well … cup of tea.
Want an even bigger kick of turmeric for pain relief in your tea? Check out this recipe from Meghan Telpner. She combines turmeric with nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, ginger and more to create a unique blend of ingredients — many that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric Latte
A turmeric latte is a fantastic option because the accompanying fats in whatever kind of milk you decide to use will help your body absorb and use more of the turmeric for pain relief. Plus, this recipe is fairly delicious.
To make it, take two cups of milk (we like almond or coconut, but whatever kind you prefer), 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix all of the ingredients well. A blender is helpful to get all of it mixed really well. Then heat the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop, whisking constantly. Your turmeric latte is done whenever the mixture is hot, typically in 2-3 minutes.
Add it to your favorite smoothie
Smoothies can be a fantastic way to get extra servings of fruit and vegetables, as well as a way to add more turmeric for the pain to your diet. And in this summer’s heat, it is just what the doctor ordered. Add turmeric to your favorite recipe for a unique twist.
Don’t already have a favorite smoothie recipe? Fitness Magazine has curated a list of healthy smoothie recipes using natural and unrefined ingredients — something you should try to mimic, even if you do not end up using any of the recipes they have there.
In scrambled eggs
Alright, we have covered a bevy of beverages. Wonder how to use turmeric in foods that you actually chew and swallow? Eggs can be a healthy and delicious addition to most diets. And because scrambled eggs are so easy to make, it is a great vehicle for someone trying to add turmeric for pain to their diets on a regular basis. Plus, whatever cooking oil you use in the pan will help your body better absorbs the turmeric for pain relief. The next time you whip up a batch of scrambled eggs, sprinkle in turmeric to taste.
Sweet Lemon-Pepper Turmeric Salmon
Odds are, you have heard about how great salmon is for your health. This recipe from the blog Perchance to Cook is a simple, yet flavorful way to pair all of the health benefits of salmon with turmeric for pain relief. Once you have let your salmon marinate for an hour or so in the honey-turmeric mixture, it only takes about six minutes for the salmon to cook in the oven. So while this does require a little bit of prep work, it is still an incredibly simple dinner or weekend lunch. And the delicious result will have everyone in your family begging for this meal pretty regularly!
Now that we’ve provided some recipes, hopefully adding turmeric for pain relief to your diet sounds easier than you would have guessed before reading. That being said, some people may benefit from turmeric supplements for pain relief. If you have tried these recipes and still want to get even more turmeric for pain relief added to your routine, talk to your doctor about what dosage would be appropriate for you and to be turmeric supplements won’t interfere with any prescription regimen you may be on. Also, ask your doctor for recommendations for brands. He or she will likely be able to help steer you clear of turmeric supplements that are loaded with fillers, meaning that you can get optimal benefits rather than wasting your time and money.
And for personalized recommendations for you and your pain, be sure to schedule an appointment today with one of our expert providers. We specialize in pain management and can give you, even more, direction for what combination of methods will help you maximize your quality of life by minimizing pain.
