Q. I’ve been clipping articles from your column for years. I checked them recently to find how to relieve severe lower back and hip pain. I used some turmeric on food, and thirty minutes later I noted an internal warming sensation in the affected back area and a reduction in pain. I later took turmeric capsules and completely cured all of the pain.
About a month later my wife suffered from severe pain and loss of the use of her left arm and hand. Just lightly touching certain areas caused her to cry out in pain.
Years ago she suffered from shingles in that same arm. We therefore suspected that she had postherpetic neuralgia. Since this is an inflammation of the nerves, we decided to try turmeric.
A couple of hours later, on our way to our family doctor, my wife said that her arm felt hot, and the pain was not as severe. Our doctor wanted to schedule an MRI, but it was unnecessary after continued turmeric use. She was completely free of pain after about two weeks.
Have you ever heard of this use of the spice? Maybe this information can help other sufferers.
A. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties (Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, Feb. 2009). Readers have found that this yellow spice has helped with nerve pain, osteoarthritis and psoriasis. Instead of clipping articles, you may want to consult our book, Recipes and Remedies from The People’s Pharmacy, with more details about using food as medicine.
