Painful diseases of the back and joints are the second most common cause of sick leave, accounting for about 25%. Since these illnesses are often very protracted, they lead to more than one third of sick leave days.

The yellow miracle tuber turmeric is characterised by its many uses. Most of the effects of turmeric can be explained by improving liver detoxification and strengthening the immune system.

The perception of pain has various causes. In the case of back and joint pain, on the one hand, injuries and inflammations cause a local accumulation of waste products (ama) around the joints and muscles, which can lead to persistent pain. On the other hand, pain is transported to the brain via the nerve fibres.

The use of turmeric can have a beneficial effect on both types of pain.

Internal intake

By taking turmeric capsules as a dietary supplement and turmeric as a spice in the daily diet, the internal detoxification of the body is activated. Many studies have shown that turmeric has an anti-inflammatory effect and supports the immune system in its many tasks. By detoxifying the body and dissolving pain-mediating substances in the area of inflammation, the intake of turmeric helps bruises and strains of joints caused by injury, consequences of overstretching of the muscles and strain-related pain in the back to heal more quickly.

External application

Our sensory nervous system, which is responsible for the perception of pain, is stimulated by the release of the neurotransmitter "substance P". Wherever there is inflammation or injury in the body, the production of "substance P" is stimulated in the pain-conducting nerves. The pungent substances contained in turmeric and pepper can also be absorbed through the skin. They lead to an immediate emptying of the depots of "substance P" in the pain-conducting nerves. This results in a short-term increase in pain, which is then perceived as a burning sensation on the skin. But the pungent substances of turmeric and pepper block the further formation of "substance P" and thus prevent pain from being transmitted to the brain in the medium and long term. This can lead to a significant reduction of pain in the original area of pain.

Turmeric oil

The best way to use turmeric externally is by adding the yellow powder to oil (e.g. matured sesame oil or almond oil) or a neutral ointment base (e.g. ghee or olive oil with shea butter) in a ratio of 1:20.

If you want to prepare your own turmeric oil, mix a heaped teaspoon (approx. 5g) of turmeric powder with 100 ml of oil. You can also add a pinch (1g = a ¼ teaspoon) of ground black pepper to this turmeric oil.

Turmeric ghee

As ghee penetrates the skin very well, it is particularly suitable as a transport medium for the active ingredients of turmeric and pepper. You can also prepare turmeric ghee in a ratio of 1:20: 1 heaped teaspoon of turmeric and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper with 100 ml of ghee. Before using this mixture, you should heat it at least once to about 50 degrees so that the active ingredients combine well.

Practical application

Warm the turmeric oil or ghee slightly (to about body temperature) and rub it gently into the painful areas on the back or joints. The effect of this application can be enhanced by applying a warm compress to the treated area for up to half an hour.