I received an email a few days ago from my mom. That email was originally from my aunt, who sent it to my mom, who then sent it to me. (Ever since I started pharmacy school, family members and relatives have been targeting me for information about medicines they are taking, or herbs in the market that they aren’t sure about. Oh my. I don’t really know much either.) It was an enquiry about the following:
“Fairy Remedy” for Joint Pain
Four ingredients are all in the same amount:
Ganthoda powder
Tumeric powder
Fenugreek powder
Flax seed powder
A teaspoon in 1/4 C of warm water, twice a day.
I have no idea what the first three herbs are, only that they sound like spices. I am familiar with flax seed though, as I did a presentation on it last semester. However, I remembered that flax seed oil is beneficial for its anti-inflammatory properties, while flax seed mainly contains fibre, and is used as a laxative for constipation. So I’m wondering why flax seed powder is one of the ingredients in the above formulation for joint pain.
I managed to find some information online regarding tumeric and fenugreek from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information for Ganthoda powder, except that it is a spice.
Does anyone have any idea what the above herbs are (especially the first three)? Also, is the formulation above a good remedy for joint pain/osteoarthritis?
12 Comments
August 23, 2007 at 11:11 pm
hey, ur posts are getting so evidence-based lol. So u managed to consult any lecturer today?
August 24, 2007 at 12:44 am
Tumeric has anti-inflammatory properties apparently similar to cox-2 inhibitors
August 25, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Re: wan
Evidence-based? Haha. At least it wasn’t taken from a journal.
Funny, the few lecturers are nowhere to be found. Dr T isn’t around, Dr M isn’t either, and even Dr A too!
August 25, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Re: dan
Thank you very much for the information!
September 9, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Amanda, where have you been? It’s been quite some time since i last heard from you. Fei is starting to miss you already!
September 14, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Re: David
Fei missing me? Hahaha. You’re still never ending with that stuff.
I’ve lost my internet connection, so it’s like completely losing touch with the whole world. Sigh.
September 23, 2007 at 11:05 am
Hi I am a nutritional therapist based in Singapore with an interest in the medicinal properties of Asian herbs and spices. I am trying to find out more about Ganthoda and came across your site. I know many people who take it and find that their joint pain reduces.
Do you have any more information about Ganthoda — it is either the root or fruit of the long pepper (Piper Longum) plant.
About the other ingredients in the remedy you mention — Tumeric powder has anti-imflammatory properities; Fenugreek powder helps balance sugar metabolism, which is also thought to be connected with inflammation and
Flax seeds are rich in omega fats (similar to Fish oil)
September 25, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Re: Pooja
Hello. Thank you very much for the information regarding tumeric, fenugreek, and flax seed. At least now I know what they are for.
I didn’t do much research on Ganthoda powder, so I’m not quite sure. Sorry about that.
October 18, 2007 at 11:51 am
Girl, y u wanna set another blog as private ler..
cant access to it liao…
by the way, is this blog about medical info or watsoever?coz i dun have idea on wat are u talking about..haha..
well, about the remedy u mentioned, i came across with fenugreek last time when i have lots of phlegm. a friend recommended me but i din show any obvious effect..
neway, i have a book about herbal medicine..but it was published long time ago, if u’re interested u can ask from me oh…
keep in touch ya!!
October 18, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Re: Jia
Hey gurl!!! Hehe. I’m so happy to see your comment here. Well, it’s a long story. Tell you when we meet up. How come I don’t see you on MSN messenger anymore?
I know I can always count on you for information like these, hehe. Will borrow the book from you next time.
Hope we’ll get to meet up end of this year. Miss you so much!
November 17, 2007 at 3:18 am
Pooja do you have any further information on the ganthodo powder?
November 17, 2007 at 3:19 am
Pooja do you have any further information on the ganthoda powder?