Turmeric anyone?

GrannyLiv if you’re taking a non steroidal anti-inflammatory like Naxproxen, you might find you can give that up when the effect of Curcumin kicks in.
That’s what I found. I was also taking Ranitidine for years to protect my stomach from the effects of the Ibuprofen.
Good luck with it.

GrannyLiv Hope it works for you, fingers crossed

Noted Avor2. I have been prescribed Omeprazole because I also take Naproxen, however I have not had any gastric issues with the Naproxen so I don't take it.

I've started on the turmeric capsules, so fingers crossed that I am in the group who finds it beneficial!

Started taking them, didn't make any difference like everybody was telling me, then I found out that I shouldn't be having them if I was taking Omeprazole, so I have now stopped. Just check that you aren't taking other medication that might cause a problem. I know it works for a lot of people, so hope it does for you. x

I take turmeric + black pepper capsules which I buy online, it's not expensive. I do use it in cooking too, but to get enough you'd need to have most of your meals tasting of turmeric.

Since starting it, I have had a definite improvement in the osteoarthritis in my knees. I also go swimming twice a week which may be contributing to the improvement, but I'm not going to abandon either. My GP approved of the turmeric, and told me his partner uses it. He says that it's more effective if taken with black pepper, which is why I buy the capsules.

I’ve been using Curcumin (which is a the active ingredient in Turmeric) for the last three years.
For twenty years previously I was on Ibuprofen for arthritic pain in the knee caused by a car accident. After a couple of weeks of taking Curcumin I was able to give up the Ibuprofen completely.
I take two capsules a day of “Curcumin 95 with bioperine”. Costs about £16 for 60 capsules online.
It’s brilliant. I no longer have pain in my knees and my joints are more supple.
It is supposed to have several other benefits such as being an anti-oxidant but I can’t vouch for that. Definitely works for me as an anti-inflammatory though.

I've been offline for a while,so have been surprised by the amount of replies here! Thank you all for taking the time.

And good to hear that it has benefitted some of you (while noting that it also didn't for others!).

SueH49 - thanks for the recipe, I will try that out. So far I have found no contraindications with my prescribed meds, so I think I'm good to go!

I cant help thinking that if something makes you feel better and does no harm then it works.

I think placebos can work . That has been known for a long time. They may not cure your cancer etc but if you feel better it will help you.

My trusty hot water bottle helps my painful back joints.

Curcuma is the French name, turmeric the English one.

Curcumin is the name for the Holland and Barrett turmeric extract - liquid capsules.

I'm not advocating the use of turmeric but just received an offer by email of turmeric and black pepper capsules £7 ish for a 4 months supply.

jura2 What is the difference between turmeric and curcumin? When I look up the translation of "turmeric" in my English/Italian dictionary, it is "curcuma".

My husband started taking the capsules last year when he was crippled with sciatica - within a fortnight the pain had almost gone and he's been taking them ever since. He told his brother who did a lot of research and he started to take a different one - he had been on prostate medication and has been able to give that up as well as it helping his acid reflux. His wife started to take them too. Definitely seems to be a miracle treatment - I've been taking them too for high cholesterol but didn't realize you shouldn't if you're on blood thinning meds which I am so maybe I should stop.

I'm taking the turmeric capsules from Healthspan. (Just swallow whole.) I also take glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. And Bromelain. (Honestly I'm not a supplement junkie - it's all for my joints' well-being!) I think that they are helping: I have reduced the amount of prescribed pain killers I take.

I just mix up the powder with black pepper and full fat yogurt (it’s fat soluble) to a thick paste then have a teaspoonful Before food.
Not delicious but one gets used to it.

Really helpful jura, thank you.

Curcumin (extract of curcumin) 19.99 for 30 - but if you use penny sale, then it is better, and Nature's Garden turmeric caps - currently in the sale.

jura2, assuming it doesn't break the rules (?) which H&B tablets do you take? I've bought some online with the black pepper addition but I've also bought some H&B capsules without the latter. I'm trying out the latter but it is all SO confusing and the prices vary enormously between different manufacturers.

BTW OH is a doctor and totally against this new fad of taking loads of supplements. After being advised to take it, he did a lot of research of medical journals, etc - then agreed, for the first time ever, to take the above- with amazing results.

WE both use Turmeric and Curcumin (extract) daily- for joint paint and for a much more severe condition. Results have been 'miraculous' (and neither of us believe in miracles ...) but we will never know to which extent Turmeric is responsible. We were advised to take it ba a Professor of plant pharmacology- they have had brilliant results in several countries with improvement to memory and cognitive impairment, even in cases of diagnosed and established Alzheimers and Dementia- so for this alone, it is worth it as it has a strong preventitive effect. Great results too with some forms of cancer, like prostate. The Prof (Hostettmann) said there is no funding for research by big pharma, because they can't make money out of natural products. (Curcumin and Turmeric tablets we buy from Holland and Barrett when they have the penny sale - in this case starting next Thursday).

I take turmeric for an immune related disorder. I think it makes a difference but time will tell. My symptoms did worsen when I stopped it for a while. There is sound research to show that it can make a difference but as ever, it doesn't work for everybody.

I belong to that Facebook turmeric users group, it's very informative. It appears to be important to go for the highest level of curcumin which is the vital ingredient in turmeric for inflammatory conditions. It also appears to be important to take it with black pepper and possibly coconut oil, these aid absorption. It's obviously key to take the correct amount with the correct additional items. There is a lot of variation in capsules available online and in places like Holland and Barrett but I don't see why one shouldn't take capsules so avoiding the taste some complain about.

I have read that it is biologically like taking aspirin so it can upset the stomach and it does clash with other medications. It has been shown to be effective on animals.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and I'm willing to give anything a go. However I am a huge sceptic when it comes to alternative / dietary "cures". I tend to think that there is a great placebo effect which won't work unless you believe in it.

However I did try turmeric. Took it daily for about three months. It's pretty unpleasant but I used to mix it up with milk.

No Effect Whatsoever.

I have also tried gluten free as some people are evangelical about gf for auto-immune disorders. Again no effect whatsoever.

So try it by all means, it's unlikely to do any harm.

I fry up left over veg with turmeric, chilli and soy sauce; very nice. Also, you can stir it into baked beans if you do not want to fuss. I find the capsules good to top up. It has made a noticeable difference to aches and pains.

I keep sliced turmeric root in the freezer and pop a slice into a mug of milk, heat in the microwave and add some honey. I think it’s delicious.

Brilliant someone has posted the recipe! Thank you. I was also going to add that there are many contraindications when taking this so it needs to be looked into carefully. There is a really interesting article on the Facebook group I mentioned, about Golden Paste and heartburn/reflux and some people have managed to come off their medication and just take GP. (not sure it increases acid in the stomach) However I'm not an expert just someone who uses and rates this stuff highly. I can only suggest joining the 'Turmeric user group UK' on facebook as they have a wealth of information and very very helpful admins. Yes the taste is a bit yukky at first but after 18 months of using it I can tolerate it almost neat these days! Its lovely with baked beans and also cabbage! I just dollop a big spoonful onto my plate and it just goes down with the rest! Dosage needs to be increased slowly from small amounts. You can also get ready made capsules, which I use for holidays, but they are pretty expensive. Oh one last thing, If you are using for a dog, add some cinnamon, otherwise they can often smell of cat pee! It has to be Ceylon cinnamon and not the standard stuff we use in baking as this is poisionous to dogs. There are a lot of do's and don't's regarding taking this stuff so please do your research! But I wouldn't be without it!

I was so wishing that I could take this to help with painful knees. Then I read that it is not to be taken with Omeprazole and blood thinners. I take both, so cannot try this, which is a pity.