Turmeric Curcumin for Swelling

by Vorst Canada December 14, 2021

turmeric curcumin for swelling

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Swelling is a major medical concern nowadays. It may result from many different conditions ranging from mild non-medical conditions such as eating too much salt or standing for a prolonged time to serious medical issues including injury, inflammation, or underlying diseases such as arthritis, kidney damage, or congestive heart failure.

Since swelling can be caused by various reasons, it often appears difficult to diagnose and treat. While many medications are effective to reduce swelling that often come with several unpleasant side effects, turmeric curcumin offers a safe and proven natural treatment for a wide variety of swelling conditions.

In this article, we’ll explore how turmeric curcumin can help with swelling according to scientific studies. But, it’s important to start with the basics of swelling first. Let’s get started.

What is swelling?
Symptoms of swelling
Causes of swelling
What is turmeric curcumin?
How turmeric curcumin can help with swelling
How to use turmeric curcumin
Precautions and side effects
Final words

What is swelling?

Swelling, medically known as edema, is a health condition in which puffiness occurs in any part of the body.

In a swelling condition, a body part or organ increases in size, generally as a result of inflammation, prolonged standing, injury, excess salt intake, fluid retention, or serious health issues like arthritis, cancer, or chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Swelling might be accompanied by many other symptoms such as pain and stiffness and may affect vital internal bodily functions. However, swelling requires immediate medical attention to address the underlying cause.

Symptoms of swelling

Symptoms of swelling may vary depending on the underlying cause. Some symptoms are very similar to all types of swelling. They may include:

Puffiness or enlargement of the tissue under the skin mainly in the arms and legs
Shiny or stretched skin
A dimple or pit occurs when physical pressure is applied to the skin for several seconds

Causes of swelling

The most common cause of swelling is leaking fluid from capillaries (tiny blood vessels) in the body. The fluid spreads to surrounding tissues that leads to swelling.

Mild cases of swelling may be caused by:

Standing or sitting in one position for a prolonged period
Consuming too much salt
Being pregnant
Having premenstrual symptoms

Swelling might be a side effect of drugs, such as:

Steroid drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Certain diabetes medications
Estrogens
Blood pressure medications

In some cases, swelling might be a sign of serious underlying disease, such as:

Arthritis - The most common cause of joint swelling is arthritis. Several types of arthritis can cause swelling including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and septic arthritis.

Cirrhosis - It’s a condition of liver damage that causes accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, leading to swelling in the abdomen and legs.

Congestive heart failure - In this condition, the heart loses its ability to pump blood properly. As a result the blood backflows to legs, feet, and ankles, causing swelling. Sometimes, it may cause accumulation of fluid in the lungs and cause a serious swelling condition called pulmonary edema which is characterized by shortness of breath and oxygen.

Kidney disease - When the kidneys do not work properly, extra fluid and sodium retain in the blood and circulate throughout the body, causing swelling especially around the eyes and legs.

Inadequate lymphatic function - The lymphatic system is vital for eliminating excess fluids from tissues. When lymph nodes and lymph vessels are damaged for any reason, by cancer surgery, for example, the draining of fluid is hampered and swelling may occur.

Extreme protein deficiency - An extreme lack of protein may lead to fluid accumulation in the body and cause swelling.

What is turmeric curcumin?

Turmeric is a widely used spice that is derived from the root of a medicinal plant of the ginger family botanically known as Curcuma longa. Turmeric contains several chemical compounds called curcuminoids.

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid found in turmeric which has been shown to be highly effective in reducing a wide range of swelling conditions.

How turmeric curcumin can help with swelling

Turmeric has historically been used in the treatment and prevention of diverse health conditions that involve swelling and inflammation for thousands of years across cultures.

Recent scientific studies have also substantiated most of the traditional uses of turmeric. Studies have found that the curcumin present in turmeric has miraculous anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a highly potential natural medicine to treat a wide variety of health conditions, including reduced swelling, pain, and increased range of movement in people with joint swelling and arthritis.

In a clinical trial, experts have suggested that supplementing with curcumin three times a day can replace up to 1200 mg of over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen.

Other scientific reviews suggest that curcumin is beneficial in almost all kinds of inflammatory conditions and can reduce various symptoms such as swelling, pain, morning stiffness, and redness.

Besides, curcumin is also effective in many other conditions including diabetes, certain cancers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Crohn’s disease among others.

How to use turmeric curcumin

Turmeric and the curcumin it contains can be taken orally or applied to the affected area topically. The actual dosage depends on the health conditions and desired goals.

In general, 3 gm to 4 gm turmeric powder can be taken once or twice a day by mixing with lukewarm water or milk. When mixed with milk, it is fondly called “Golden milk” which is very popular. 500 mg to 1000 mg standardized curcumin extract can also be taken in a supplementary capsule or tablet form two to three times a day depending on the condition.

Always consider checking with a licensed nutritionist or naturopathic doctor to determine the actual dose of curcumin for you.

Precautions and side effects

Turmeric curcumin has been found generally safe and well-tolerated. Higher doses such as more than 8 grams per day may cause gastrointestinal upsets like indigestion or diarrhea in some people.

It’s strongly recommended to consult with your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or taking medications for any underlying health issue prior to taking turmeric curcumin orally.

Final words

Swelling is a complex medical condition that can be caused by various underlying issues and often appears difficult to diagnose or treat. According to many traditional medicines and recent scientific studies, turmeric curcumin is an effective treatment for almost all kinds of swelling conditions, especially those that are involved with inflammation and arthritis.

Check out Vorst’s Curcumin Extract 600 mg Capsules here.

Disclaimer - This article contains only general information and cannot be treated as medical advice.

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