Whether it's a hard training block, a weekend of yard work, or simply years of wear and tear, sooner or later joints and muscles ask for some support. Three herbs have been used for this longer than almost any others, and they work even better together.
Turmeric: the golden root
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a relative of ginger, has been used in Indian cooking and Ayurvedic practice for thousands of years. Its bright yellow color comes from curcuminoids, the compounds most studied for turmeric's benefits. Turmeric is known as one of the most powerful herbs for helping maintain a healthy inflammatory response, and it can be taken over long periods with occasional breaks.*
The absorption problem, and how to solve it. Curcumin isn't absorbed well on its own. Two things help a lot:
- Fat. Curcumin is fat-soluble, which is why we recommend taking turmeric after a meal that contains healthy fats. It's an exception to the "between meals" rule for most herbs.
- Black pepper. Piperine, the compound that makes pepper hot, has been shown to dramatically increase curcumin absorption. Traditional cooking pairs them for good reason.
Don't be surprised if your turmeric extract turns cloudy in water. Turmeric is rich in resins that don't fully dissolve, and the cloudiness is a sign of a whole-plant extract.
Boswellia: the frankincense tree
Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), also called Indian frankincense, is the aromatic resin of a tree native to India. Frankincense has been traded and burned as incense for thousands of years. In Ayurveda, the resin, known as salai guggul, is traditionally used to support joints and muscles.* Its active compounds, boswellic acids, are the focus of research on joint comfort.
Ginger: the warming circulator
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is best known as a digestive herb, but it's also traditionally used to support joint comfort and healthy circulation.* Its warming quality makes it a natural partner for turmeric, which comes from the same plant family.
Better together
Traditional herbalism rarely uses these herbs alone. Two easy ways to combine them:
- InflaMender, our formula of turmeric, boswellia, ginger, amla and holy basil, is designed to help maintain an established healthy inflammatory response and support joint health. Take it with food.*
- The Golden Relief Bundle pairs 4 oz of turmeric, boswellia and ginger with a 2 oz bottle of CBD 500, in your choice of THC-free isolate or full spectrum. It's built for comfort and recovery during periods of physical stress.*
From the outside in
For sore muscles and joints, topicals complement what you take internally:
- CBD Relief Rub combines 300 mg of hemp-derived cannabinoids with organic mango butter, shea butter, emu oil, and wintergreen and ginger essential oils. It's specially formulated to penetrate into tired muscles and joints, and is great after workouts.* It's THC-free.
- DMSO is used externally for sore and overused muscles and joints.* It penetrates deeply, so always wash your hands and the skin thoroughly before applying it.
For occasional minor aches, white willow bark, a natural source of salicin, is another traditional option.*
A recovery routine
- Daily: turmeric or InflaMender with a meal containing fat, for several weeks.
- After hard days: CBD Relief Rub on the areas that need it.
- Basics: sleep (most repair happens then), protein, hydration, and movement. Gentle movement often helps stiff joints more than rest.
Safety
Turmeric, ginger and boswellia may increase bleeding risk at high doses, so talk to your doctor if you take blood thinners, or before surgery. Avoid concentrated turmeric if you have gallstones or bile duct problems, and during pregnancy. Don't use white willow if you're allergic to aspirin, take blood thinners, or are giving it to a child or teenager. If joint pain is severe, sudden, or comes with swelling, redness or fever, see a healthcare provider.
Shop this guide: Turmeric · Boswellia · Ginger · InflaMender · Golden Relief Bundle · CBD Relief Rub
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Photo: Turmeric root and turmeric powder by formulatehealth, licensed under CC BY 2.0.