Herbs traditionally used for mild joint pain
Curcuminoids relieve mild joint pain
As well as being an ingredient in your favourite curry, turmeric has a long history of medicinal use over the centuries in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine. Today, it’s well known for its content of curcumin, one of a group of active compounds called curcuminoids that are responsible for the therapeutic effects of the herb.
Turmeric’s vibrant yellow-orange colour comes from the curcuminoids, which perform a range of therapeutic activities in the body including:
- Relieving mild joint aches and pains
- Decreasing mild rheumatic pain
- Reducing inflammation
Curcuminoids are also antioxidants that help reduce the formation of free radicals in the body (a balance between antioxidants and free radicals is vital for normal physiological function).
Introducing Curcumin C3 Complex® - highly concentrated turmeric extract
While it might be tempting to reach for the spice jar in your kitchen to help ease your aching joints, the catch is that in their natural state, the curcuminoids in turmeric aren’t very well absorbed by the body. You’d need to take extremely large quantities of the turmeric in your pantry in order to reach the dose of curcuminoids that are required for therapeutic benefits.
That’s why at Fusion Health we use Curcumin C3 Complex®, a highly concentrated turmeric extract that enables us to provide consistent levels of therapeutically active curcuminoids.
As well as containing curcumin, Curcumin C3 Complex® also contains the curcuminoids demethoxycurcumin and bidemethoxycurcumin, which stabilise curcumin and the contribute to the antioxidant effects of the extract.
Add piperine to enhance curcumin absorption
In addition, taking curcumin with a compound derived from black pepper called piperine (BioPerine®), enhances its bioavailability . Black pepper is often taken with ginger in Ayurvedic medicine.
Fusion Curcumin Advanced: curcuminoids + black pepper, ginger and boswellia
Introducing Fusion Curcumin Advanced, which combines curcumin with ginger and the Ayurvedic herb boswellia, plus piperine to enhance curcumin absorption. Each capsule contains herbal extracts equivalent to 13g curcumin (standardised to provide 190mg curcuminoids), 3.75g boswellia (standardised to beta-boswellic acids 200mg), and 3.75g ginger.
The topical use of herbs
In both Chinese and Western herbal medicine, some herbs are traditionally taken internally to relieve various forms of mild muscle and joint pain, while others are applied topically. Examples of those that are traditionally used topically include white turmeric root in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and arnica in Western herbal medicine.
White turmeric is traditionally used in TCM to promote circulation and to relieve symptoms of soft tissue injuries including pain. Arnica is traditionally used topically in Western herbal medicine as a counterirritant to relieve pain and also to relieve muscle and mild joint inflammation and to decrease symptoms of muscle sprains such as muscle soreness.
White turmeric and arnica are found alongside menthol (from peppermint oil) in Fusion Pain Relief Gel. Menthol is topically applied to relieve mild muscle pain, joint pain and inflammation.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, worsen or change unexpectedly, talk to your healthcare professional.
