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Q. After listening to your radio show and reading about the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric, I called a local health food store to get some. I had been having lower back pain and hip pain chronically off and on (mostly on) within the past ten months, and I figured, why not try it? I bought the brand "Curamin" from EuroPharma, Inc.
We were just starting on a trip to Italy and I was very nervous about the effects of the flight on my back. I started taking the pills a day before we left and have continued, reducing the dose to a couple of pills a week. My pain has mostly disappeared. I have also been drinking pineapple juice so maybe the combination has more of an effect, but I am convinced that Curamin is working for me.
A. We can’t address the specific product Curamin. It may contain other natural compounds in addition to curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric.
More than 150 scientific articles have been published investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin. Indian researchers recently confirmed this activity through molecular biology (International Immunopharmacology, Dec. 15, 2007).
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I would like to take turmeric and its derivatives for anti-inflammatory purposes. But I am concerned as it is listed as a blood thinner on a paper I have from my dr. along with other herbs.
Does anyone have any info about this, and other blood thinning herbs? I am on plavix and low-dose aspirin since I had a heart stent placed and am concerned about using my usual herb remedies.
Turmeric is possibly the worst thing you could take. I'm on coumadin and was taking it and did a lot of research. It is definitely a NONO.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
There is concern that combining Coumadin (warfarin) and turmeric (curcumin) might increase the risk for bleeding.
Why go to a health food store to buy turmeric? It is a common spice, and it has been used in Indian medicine for a very long time in just that form. Most recipes for things like curried chicken call for a teaspoon or so of curry powder for a pot of curry to feed three or four. Turmeric is given to patients in India in things like a glass of warm milk. So you could try a third of a teaspoon of turmeric in a cup of warmed milk. If you were to sip it slowly you would probably become aware if you had had enough to start making you uncomfortable.
I started taking glucosamine years ago because I had heard about it on the radio. I thought it was a likely fad item with no great promise of working. I bought a bottle and probably only because I had paid about $20 for it I occasionally took one tablet. Months went by, and I realized at some point that my knees had stopped hurting. So my idea on starting any new treatment with a natural remedy would be to start slowly and observe carefully.
If I had any special concerns, e.g., for blood clotting, I would take care to have that bodily function monitored on a regular basis. I would also tell my physician what I was going to try, and make sure he was aware that I had no intention of taking a heroic dose of anything. Then, if the turmeric had a desirable effect, the Coumadin dosage might get adjusted downward a little.