Many herbs have been considered as an alternative treatment for neuropathy because they pose less risk to the patient while providing naturally-occurring supplements that promote healthy nerves. Even so, there are still a lot of medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese medicine that have yet to get their share of the limelight as neuropathy treatment. One of them is the powerful ginger-like root crop known as turmeric.
Turmeric: A Background
Tumeric is an herbaceous flowering plant in the ginger family. This perennial herb is typically found in India and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Its name comes from the Persian translation of the word “saffron” and is named as such because of its yellow-orange color and makes a perfect ingredient in making yellow mustard and curry. Like saffron, it is typically used as a spice and is considered a highly-valuable ingredient that, when processed into its powder form, lends a unique peppery flavor to different recipes.
While it is most common in the Indian subcontinent, turmeric can also be found in other Southeast Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Some countries in the Caribbean such as Haiti and Jamaica are also lucky enough to have some supply of this wondrous herb.
Benefits of Turmeric
While it has been widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine, turmeric is better known in the West for its medicinal properties. This ginger-like herb has been found to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that people have attested to its effectiveness when used for various medical conditions such as bruises, chest pain, colic, flatulence, hemorrhaging, toothaches, and menstrual problems. People who have blood in their urine also use the herb to ease their symptoms.
According to studies, an ounce of turmeric contains enough iron and manganese to cover as much as 26 percent of the needed supply of the human body the daily. It is also a rich source of potassium, fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and magnesium.
To top that off, this yellow-orange root crop is also beneficial for people with acne, psoriasis, and eczema, and is known to improve one’s ability to digest fat, reduce congestion, and lessen bloating.
Turmeric for Neuropathy Symptom Relief
Aside from the numerous health benefits mentioned above, turmeric is now being considered as a viable ingredient for nerve health supplements due to its ability to protect against anti-inflammation. It is also used to replace traditional over-the-counter medication as it contains analgesic properties and has been seen to improve neuropathic symptoms like pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the upper and lower extremities.
Because it has been highly lauded in Asian medicine, experts took it into consideration for nerve damage. In fact, a study published in 2013 revealed that the curcumin content in turmeric can actually promote cell regeneration in nerves and is also beneficial as a neuroprotective drug for people suffering from neuropathy.
After realizing its potential, Nervestra-manufacturer Rejuvica LLC included turmeric in their product as a key active ingredient to support nerve health. This product that comes in liquid dosage mixed with food also contains other herbs known for their neuropathy treatment properties like spirulina, feverfew, oat straw, passionflower, skullcap and California poppy.
Turmeric Dosage
Aside from adding it as a spice to their daily food, people who wish to use turmeric as a dietary supplement have the option to extract the juice of about 1 to 3 grams of the root. After slicing or chopping, simply juice it and add a pinch of black pepper to taste. For pain relief, experts recommend taking 30 milliliters of turmeric juice three times a day.
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