Mumbai : In case of joint pain, people immediately take painkillers. Repeated use of painkillers can be harmful for the human body. A recent study by the University of Tasmania in Australia called turmeric a panacea treatment for osteoarthritis. The curcumin present in it can prove to be very effective in reducing the pain.
According to researchers, turmeric is prepared by grinding the dry root of the plant called ‘Curcuma longa’. The polyphenol called ‘Curcuma’ found in it is effective for its infection and anti-inflammatory properties. This is the reason that people who consume turmeric regularly, not only get relief from swelling in the joints, but also block signals which make them feel pain.
During the study, the researchers divided the 70 patients who were suffering from osteoarthritis into two groups. The participants in the first group were given two capsules prepared of turmeric daily. At the same time, the other group was given sweet pills saying that it was painkillers. After 12 weeks, the participants of the first group reported a greater relief in joint pain compared to the other group. They also asked to reduce the dose of Painkiller.
Researchers claimed that at present there is no effective drug for treating osteoarthritis other than painkiller. In this case, the doctor may recommend turmeric as a best and no side-effect treatment. A scan of the participants’ joints reveals that turmeric does not change their structure, but the swelling reduces the pain signal decreasing the pain sensation. The results of the study have been published in a recent issue of the Annals of Internal Medical Journal.