Turmeric, the spice that's ground from the root of the Curcuma longa plant that gives curry its bright yellow color, may help relieve joint pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Turmeric contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that may decrease arthritis pain. It may take a month or two for you to notice any effects from taking turmeric supplements. In addition to taking turmeric in pill or capsule form, you can also use turmeric in cooking or apply it as a paste.

The Arthritis Foundation recommend turmeric for some people with arthritis. A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2016 found that taking 1,000 milligrams (mg) of curcumin for up to 12 weeks helped relieve pain and inflammation from arthritis.

In recent years, turmeric has been said to be a viable treatment for arthritis, with studies finding that the substance (which is most commonly used in cooking), has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

Curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, may improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research suggests it is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective.