Hi all, not posted for a while but do get to read most of the posts on a daily basis although yesterdays posts did not come through until late and i am only reading them this morning. I also seem to miss out on some posts so maybe i need to change my settings to receive as sent not just on a daily basis.
Turmeric. Some time ago a friend of mine introduced me to Turmeric as an anti cancer herb. Tried it a few times but could not get used to the taste. I was reading an article recently about Turmeric, in short it has been used for centuries in India for many ailments, not just cancer and is known as a wonder herb. Two elements were of interest to me, anti inflammatory and pain relief.
For about 18 months i have suffered from swollen feet...supposedly linked to COPD. Some days my right foot would be so swollen i would struggle to get my right shoe on....i wear sandals. Also for about 2 months i have struggled with severe back pain getting up in the morning. The pain would be so bad that i could not sit up, in fact i would have to slide my body to the edge of the bed then slowly get my feet on the floor and then try to sit up. Some days my girlfriend would have to help me, the pain would be so bad.
So, 3 days ago i started adding half a teaspoon to my morning smoothie...dosage should be one teaspoon a day taken in 2 doses. I made extra juice today so will have another half teaspoon this afternoon.
The result after 3 days? The swelling in my feet has reduced by about 50% and this morning i was able to sit up and get out of bed like a normal person.
So if you have any aches, pains, swelling etc it's worth googling Turmeric. I am adding extra honey to my smoothie to mask the taste.
Merv
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Swerv
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I heard a doctor on the radio a few years ago say if he could only take one supplement it would be Turmeric. They claim it may even help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's but of course that has not been proven.
I believe it has many beneficial effects throughout the body.
Really pleased to read your post as I have just started taking Turmeric capsules as nothing else was helping my back pain and Osteoarthritis in my knees. It has only been a day since I started taking them but I do feel slightly less stiff this morning.
I've been taking Turmeric capsules (along with other supplements) since 11th August - have never been better but who knows 😊
It's helping me and after only 3 days, so more improvement to come.
Do the capsules have black pepper added? I read that for Tumeric to work to full capacity it needs to be mixed with black pepper....can't remember why.
Hi gemlady 12, i live in Thailand and can buy Turmeric in my local tesco, but will be checking out my local organic shop as i would like to try it in root form.
Thailand, interesting. Well, I live in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Asheville, to be specific. I buy fresh tumeric from local whole foods markets. It has the same form and shape as fresh ginger root only it's deep orange inside (and it stains things, watch out!)
I grate it just like ginger. Not sure of the difference in benefits, or if perhaps the powdered form is more concentrated and therefore more effective. I'll try to research this and you may want to do same. Keep us posted!
Fresh Turmeric is definitely better, just not found it here yet but i am fairly sure i will find it in our organic shop. I put ginger in my juicer so would do the same with the Turmeric root...if i can find it.
Hi swerve..I bought my tumeric root from " Fresh Direct".
I received 12 nice roots,approximately 3 to 4 inches long each,for $ 2.99.
They are online,so its a delivery service.They sell awesome fresh juices from N.Y.City as an example, and fresh brown eggs from local farms in NY. Fresh organic soups,I can go on and on.I like this store!!)
They also have pick up service,II think Long Island,NY,but not sure because I utilize delivery
So far this is my second day using the grated tumeric root.
I have been cautious, and will up how much I put in my morning " tea" ,warm water,fresh lemon slice,and grated ginger and now tumeric.
Gemlady cautioned wisely...it does stain!
Hoping we all,if we use it,in whatever form,get rellief!
Powder being concentrated makes sense,too!
I was shopping and it was the first time seeing it available in root form,so I jumped on it!
Glad to hear the turmeric is helping you so much. We have had some really good posts about it. I used to have carpal tunnel of my wrist. Took turmeric and don't have the problem anymore. It's amazing stuff. Comparable to pain pills.
Also tart cherry juice is good for pain and gout. Anyone wanting to try it, make sure it doesn't react with your medications. I'm pretty sure you can't use it if your on blood thinners.
I was taking half and aspirin each day plus a statin, but it is recommended to stop taking these if you take Turmeric as it is a blood thinner and reduces cholesterol.
I get organic turmeric from a whole food shop and add around half a teaspoon to a smoothie around tea time each day with about 5 twists of the pepper grinder added. Been doing this for about a year now.
I hadn't ever known the right dose so thanks for that Swerv, I'll have to double up. Do you know how much black pepper is needed to make the turmeric fully bio-available?
Not sure how much black pepper, i just give about 5 twists same as you. But the dosage is 1/2 teaspoon twice a day. I do mornings and afternoons....amazing stuff but hate the taste, although the honey masks most of it.
Very interested to read this. Think I will have a go - I suffer from swollen ankles amongst other age related conditions. Thanks. Anything to make me more mobile!!
Swollen feet is one of the main reasons for trying it. My feet, especially the right one has been swollen for about 18 months. Dr, Has prescribed diuretics a couple of times but each time the medication finishes the swelling is back again within a couple of days.
My girlfriend noticed today that my right foot, which has the worst swelling is about 50% better after just 3 days. I found today that i could put my shoes on without any problem.
Just remember to add black pepper to it.
But if you are taking aspirin or statins, stop them as Turmeric is a natural blood thinner and lowers cholesterol.
Be careful with ceasing statins. And let me say I'm not a fan - I get loads of side effects with statins, which is how I find out that not only do they reduce cholesterol but they are prescribed for people with stents because they also help prevent hardening of the arteries. So make an informed decision.
Tumeric is a great anti-inflammatory. I understand that it is more effective if you use black pepper along with it. It has a catalytic effect. I don't know the exact proportions of tumeric to pepper, but just wing it. I don't think you have to overdo the pepper. If you're unsure, please google it.
I understand that tumeric isn't always absorbed too well. You can also buy a good quality supplement (with the black pepper in it) to further enhance its effect.
Awhile back, my doctor said that turmeric helps with inflammation, so I started taking it in capsule form, I didn't notice a difference, but I think I wasn't taking enough.
Hi, Merv, Glad to know you are feeling better. I didn't know that turmeric is regarded as a "wonder herb". I use it with rice-either steamed or boiled and I think it's delicious....even better now I know it could actually be doing me good! Thanks for letting us know. And may your health continue to improve.
Hi, i note your dosage is one tablespoon of turmeric plus 1/2 teaspoon black pepper yet the searches i have done is 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper twice a day.
The problem with storing smoothies in a fridge for a period of time is that a smoothie starts losing it's potency within 20 minutes of making it and then slowly deteriorates over time. I make a large batch in the morning with enough for a glassful in the afternoon, anything not drunk is thrown away. If i have the time i might juice a carrot or an orange just to top up the potency in the afternoon drink.
I add 1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in the morning then the same in the afternoon.
I note your reference to the bathroom after a large dose and 1 tablespoon would definitely do that as i believe 1 tablespoon is the equivalent of 3 teaspoons, so you are taking 12 times the recommended dose.
About a year ago..7 months ago..? .. I started putting tumeric on my morning oatmeal. Not fond of the taste, either, but had no problem covering it up with enough cinnamon, nutmeg, some honey and fruit pieces!!
Hi willdo, if you make it into a paste it is much easier, plus it ensures you add the correct amount of black pepper to increase bioavailability. You can store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and there is no after taste:
Hey, thanks, swerve! Didn't know that. ( That it should be mixed with black pepper for bio-availability). You mean, all this time I have been dealing with the taste on my oatmeal and not benefiting?? LOL!
Hi Willdo, you will have been having some benefit, but adding black pepper increases the bioavailability by 2,000%.
If you use the recipe i gave you, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I take 1 teaspoon at a time and add to my smoothie, cannot taste it at all.
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