Sep 15, 2021

Does Turmeric Help with Pain? Analyzing the Science

Turmeric, that golden miracle spice that holds a special place in Ayurvedic medicine, is a known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. Many of these effects are likely due to curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric that acts on various molecular and metabolic pathways in the body. ¹

And as modern medical science has advanced, both turmeric and curcumin extract have been found to provide health benefits even for those without diagnosed health conditions. This has led to a plethora of clinical studies into its uses for inflammation, neurological disorders, and even as a metabolic booster. There is even some evidence it may help with high cholesterol and heart disease. ¹

But what about pain? After all, it follows that if a compound can reduce swelling, it may be able to offer some analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. So, we thought we'd ask: does turmeric help with pain, too?

Turmeric and Arthritis-Related Pain

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 20% of Americans suffer from knee pain. Additionally, studies have found that between 10% and 13% of people over 60 have osteoarthritis symptoms (OA) in their knees. This makes it the most common joint disorder in the United States. The pain from this – and other types of arthritis – can range from mild joint stiffness to disabling agony. ²

Because arthritis is typically caused by inflammation in the joints, OA, rheumatoid arthritis, and similar disorders are typically treated with an anti-inflammatory. Over-the-counter NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can provide some relief from swelling and pain. However, these often come with long-term severe use risks, such as ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, heart failure, and kidney failure. ³

This has led clinical scientists to seek out alternative treatments for arthritis swelling and pain. And one of the treatments – curcumin – just so happens to be the main active ingredient in turmeric. One study that examined the efficacy of curcumin extract against traditional NSAIDs – including ibuprofen and naproxen – found that curcumin was at least as potent as most NSAIDs, if not more so, in treating general inflammation. This has led to increased interest concerning the effects of curcumin and turmeric on inflammation-related pain. ⁵

Studies on Turmeric and Arthritic Pain

In one randomized, controlled clinical study, 139 patients with knee OA were randomly assigned to receive either 500 milligrams of curcumin three times per day or 50 milligrams of diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory) twice per day for 28 days. At the end of this time, the authors concluded that curcumin had “similar efficacy” to diclofenac and was better tolerated. ³

A second randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Australia involved 70 participants suffering from varying degrees of knee OA. This study provided patients with either two capsules of curcumin extract or two placebo capsules per day. After twelve weeks, the authors reported that curcumin was more effective than the placebo for knee and arthritis pain. However, the authors also noted that more extensive trials are needed to assess the clinical significance. ⁴

A third pilot study examined the safety and effectiveness of curcumin both alone and combined with diclofenac in rheumatoid arthritis patients. 45 individuals with diagnosed RA were randomly assigned to receive either 500mg of curcumin, 50mg of diclofenac, or a combination of both. The authors found that the curcumin group showed the most improvement, with "significant improvement" over the diclofenac group. ⁶

So far, these results point to turmeric helping with pain by way of curcumin’s reducing effects on inflammation. However, not all pain is arthritic pain (thankfully!). So, we thought we’d ask: does turmeric help with other types of pain, too?

Turmeric and Dental Pain

It turns out the answer appears to be yes – and in one of the most unlikely places. An efficacy review of turmeric's applications in the field of oral health found that turmeric has proven properties as an:⁷

Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antimicrobial
Antiseptic
Antimutagenic

Due to these traits, the study found that turmeric is "quite useful" in the world of dentistry. The review found evidence that massaging aching teeth with roasted, ground turmeric could reduce pain and swelling. In some cases, turmeric was able to eliminate all signs of pain completely. ⁷

Another study looked at turmeric's effects on post-operative dental pain. Ninety participants – 44 men and 46 women – who had undergone surgery to remove their wisdom teeth were randomly sorted into a placebo group or a curcumin group. Pain was evaluated after surgery and after their first, second, and third dose of drugs. The study found that those who took curcumin experienced "significantly less" pain than individuals in the control group. ⁸

Turmeric and Other Types of Pain

So far, we’ve established that turmeric can help with inflammation-related pain. This includes pain from arthritis, general swelling, and dental procedures. And clinical studies suggest that turmeric may be effective against other types of pain, as well.

For instance, one double-blind clinical trial found that women suffering from PMS found relief by taking two curcumin extract capsules twice daily for seven days before and three days after menstruation. The study posited that curcumin might have worked by moderating neurotransmitters and inflammation-related molecular pathways. ⁹

Furthermore, an informative bulletin on micronutrients from Oregon State University found that curcumin is effective at:¹⁰

Reducing pain and tenderness in post-surgery patients
Alleviating pain and inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis
Reducing dental-related inflammation, thereby leading to a reduction in pain

However, one area that’s lacking in clinical data is how much curcumin or turmeric you can (or should) take for pain.

The FDA notes that turmeric is “Generally Recognized as Safe.” Additionally, at least one dose-escalation study notes that curcumin does not present with short-term toxicity in doses up to 12,000 milligrams per day. But other studies have found that large, continued doses of turmeric can lead to kidney stones. Furthermore, even moderate doses of turmeric can thin the blood. This has led many doctors to recommend that pregnant woman and at-risk individuals abstain from consuming turmeric products. ¹¹¹²¹³¹⁴

So, Does Turmeric Help with Pain?

The answer, based on the trials above, appears to be a firm yes. While more trials may be needed to establish a baseline of dosage, efficacy, and use, it seems that both curcumin and turmeric can help with many types of pain.

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