If you are taking ibuprofen tablets (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin & Nurofen) for everything ranging from headache, backache and other muscular aches and pains, you need to stop. Whilst ibuprofen is great at reducing pain and inflammation, there are many adverse effects from long-term use.
The side-effects of long-term ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs) use can include nausea/diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension (high blood pressure), increased risk of heart attack, increased risk of kidney cancer, erectile dysfunction and more. Fortunately nature has provided a safer, natural alternative – turmeric.
Ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs) work by inhibiting an enzyme, COX-2 (or Cyclooxygenase 2) that causes inflamed areas of the body to become painful and more inflamed. Block the enzyme and you block the pain and reduce the inflammation.
Turmeric is high in a compound called curcumin, and it too is a COX-2 inhibitor! Unlike ibuprofen, very few people experience any side-effects from drinking turmeric tea, after-all, turmeric has been eaten and drunk in South Asia for thousands of years.
Note: You should however not drink turmeric tea when pregnant or breast feeding.
Drinking turmeric tea helps with tension headaches and painful muscles/joints. Below is a basic turmeric tea recipe, which you can modify anytime you want. There are plenty more turmeric tea recipes online some with much higher amounts of turmeric and added ginger. Google ‘turmeric tea recipes’ for more recipes and dosages.
Homemade Turmeric Tea Recipe
- 2 tablespoons of grated fresh turmeric root, or 1 heaped teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 4 cups of water
- Honey/fresh lemon to taste
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (fats help improve turmeric absorption)
Instructions
Bring the water to the boil on the stove and then add the turmeric. If using fresh grated turmeric, boil for 15-20 minutes. If using powdered turmeric, boil for 10 minutes. When ready, strain the tea through a fine sieve, and add the coconut oil, honey and lemon to taste.