Looking for Safe Pain Relief

Q. I cannot tolerate aspirin or other NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen. Just one dose gives me a bad bellyache. Tylenol makes my asthma worse so my doctor says I should avoid it.
Would turmeric be an effective anti-inflammatory approach for my arthritis and bursitis? I worry that it might thin my blood too much since I am very susceptible to bruising. Are there any other remedies that might work without irritating my stomach or increasing my risk of bleeding?
A. Turmeric may indeed have some anticoagulant activity (BMB Reports, April, 2012). If you are susceptible to bleeding, turmeric might not be your best choice for easing joint pain.
We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis, which discusses a range of home remedies in addition to medications such as topical diclofenac that might be less likely to cause you digestive distress.
You may find that gin-soaked raisins, grape juice with Certo, or plant-based remedies such as bromelain, boswellia, tart cherry juice or stinging nettle offer pain relief that would be safe for you.