Evidence supporting the use of: Curcumin
For the health condition: Backache

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Curcumin, the principal active compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to manage various inflammatory conditions, though its use for backache specifically is a more recent focus in scientific research. The scientific interest in curcumin for backache stems from its well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Chronic back pain, particularly when associated with conditions like lumbar disc disease or osteoarthritis, often involves inflammation as a key component.

Several small-scale randomized controlled trials and animal studies suggest curcumin may help reduce pain and improve function in musculoskeletal disorders, including backache. For example, a 2016 randomized trial found that curcumin supplementation reduced pain and improved functional outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis, a condition sharing inflammatory mechanisms with some causes of back pain. Other studies have shown that curcumin can inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic back pain.

However, the direct evidence for curcumin’s efficacy in treating backache specifically is limited, with most clinical trials focusing on broader musculoskeletal pain or arthritis. Meta-analyses conclude that while curcumin is generally safe and shows promise as an adjunct therapy, larger and more rigorous trials are needed to establish its effectiveness for back pain. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale for its use, the clinical evidence remains moderate and not definitive.

More about curcumin
More about Backache

Other ingredients used for Backache

ashwagandha
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
bасора
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
citrus oil
collagen
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
ginger
gotu kola
heartwood
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian tinospora
jujube
kudzu
magnesium
milk
moringa
mustard seed
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
plantain
quail egg
rhizome
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
almond fruit
vitamin D
vitamin D3
water
white willow
wild yam
sarsaparilla
yellow root
squawvine
gastrodia
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
punarnava
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
morus
root tuber
silk tree
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
flowering quince
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
purslane
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
wood betony
paw paw
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
clematis
Aralia
akebia
Antler
Ardisia
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Alsonia scholaris
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspen
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Bermuda Grass
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Butternut
Bogbean
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Chinese Silkvine
Caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Chymopapain
coconut oil
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Curcuma
cypress
Cornus
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Costus
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Deer Root
Dragonhead
Devil's Club
David's Milkberry
Dwarf Nettle
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Poppy
Spikenard
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini