Are you popping far too many ibuprofen tablets (Motrin, Nurofen, Advil & Nuprin) for everything ranging from backache, muscular aches, headaches and other pains? Whilst ibuprofen is great at reducing inflammation and pain, there are many harmful effects from long – term use. The side – effects of long – term ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs) use can include hypertension (high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, diarrhea/nausea, gastrointestinal bleeding, increased risk of heart attack, increased risk of kidney cancer and more… Luckily nature has provided a natural, safer alternative – turmeric.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, work by inhibiting an enzyme, Cyclooxygenase 2 or also known as COX – 2 that causes inflamed areas of the body to become more inflamed and painful. Block the enzyme and you can reduce the inflammation and block the pain. 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 drunk and eaten in South Asia for 1000s of years. However, you should not drink turmeric tea when breast feeding or pregnant. We have researched this topic to satisfy our own needs, but we are not experts, so if you want to know more about the side – effects/benefits to both turmeric and ibuprofen please do your own research!
You can drink turmeric tea to help with tension headaches and painful joints/muscles. Below is the turmeric tea recipe you can use. We have seen other turmeric tea recipes with much higher amounts of turmeric, with some also adding ginger.
Turmeric Tea Ingredients:
- 4 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons of grated fresh turmeric root, or 1 heaped teaspoon of ground turmeric
- Fresh lemon/honey to taste
Directions:
Put water in a bowl on the stove and when it starts boiling, add the turmeric. Boil for 15 – 20 minutes, if you are using fresh grated turmeric. Boil for 10 minutes, if you are using powdered turmeric. When you finish with the boiling, strain the tea through a fine sieve, and add the lemon and honey to suit your taste.