CBD vs. Turmeric - Inflammation and Other Uses

Both age-old remedies, CBD and turmeric have been used for centuries as natural healers. Known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, both have numerous restorative benefits and can also be combined to boost overall health, rid the body of toxins, and heal specific health issues. 

But is there a winner in this race of turmeric vs. CBD? It’s safe to say that they are both powerful inflammation tamers and pain relievers, though CBD offers specific health advantages that may give it the edge over tumeric. And here’s the thing – you don’t have to choose between the two. When combined, these powerful healers create a ground-breaking blend that offers outstanding mental and physical health benefits.

The Benefits of CBD

CBD is a compound naturally found in the cannabis plant that promotes healing, relieves pain, and aids in general wellness. A common misconception is that CBD will make you feel “high”, but this is not true since it doesn’t contain THC, the psychoactive component found in cannabis. 

CBD provides many therapeutic effects by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (or ECS), which is a complex network of neurotransmitters and receptors located throughout the body. This system helps maintain homeostasis in your body, impacting sleep, pain regulation, metabolism, and much more. 

CBD is an anti-inflammatory

The list of CBD health benefits is long, and one of the many ways it assists your body is through its natural anti-inflammatory effects (which is also a benefit of turmeric). CBD directly interacts with the endocannabinoid system, regulating inflammation and the body’s pain response. Whether you use topical CBD to benefit a specific area or take CBD sublingually for a whole-body reduction in inflammation, there are CB2 receptors throughout your body that play a key in mediating inflammation. 

CBD can help relieve stress 

CBD is well-known for treating stress and anxiety due to its regulating effects on the body’s central nervous system. Taking CBD for stress can help manage the mental aspects of anxiety, but also the physical symptoms. Not only can it take the edge off, but CBD can also relax your body and mind, assisting in falling and staying asleep. 

CBD can improve skincare

CBD skincare has become all the rage, as the benefits for skin health have become well known. CBD oil is used as an effective treatment for everything from acne, sun damage, and psoriasis, to anti-aging protection. Along with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD helps regulate oil production, decreasing breakouts and fighting off environmental free radical damage, thus protecting your skin. 

CBD can help relieve pain

CBD offers relief for various chronic pain symptoms, from restless leg syndrome (RLS) to sciatic pain to aching knees. The noteworthy pain-relieving effects of CBD occur due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates inflammation and pain-sensing mechanisms throughout your system. Although turmeric can also provide relief from inflammation and pain, if you must choose one, CBD is by far the front-runner. 

CBD’s bioavailability

First, let’s discuss what bioavailability means. Whether we are referring to CBD or turmeric, bioavailability refers to how much of the active ingredients enter it into your bloodstream resulting in therapeutic effects. Aka the rate at which your body absorbs a substance. 

When comparing CBD vs. turmeric, the bioavailability of CBD trumps turmeric. The magical component in turmeric, curcumin, is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream, with most of it being quickly metabolized or excreted from the body.  

CBD on the other hand when taken sublingually, or under the tongue, offers a high impact for potency and bioavailability. Consuming CBD sublingually involves holding CBD oil from a tincture under your tongue for a specified time allowing absorption through the capillaries in your mouth. From there, the CBD is carried directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive tract, and resulting in an increase in absorption. 

The Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is a powerful spice that comes from the Curcuma longa plant and provides a multitude of health benefits. With a rich history in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used for centuries to heal wounds, relieve joint pain, address digestive issues, and skin disorders, along with promoting respiratory health.

While turmeric gets all the publicity, the magic maker is really curcumin, which is the natural compound found in turmeric responsible for its therapeutic effects. Curcumin contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that assist in brain function, heart, and digestive health. Research has also shown that this powerful spice can offer assistance in cancer prevention and treatment.  

Tumeric is an anti-inflammatory

From teas to cooking and skincare, turmeric has been used for years not only adding to food, but in the health and wellness industries as well. Why is that? Well, one of the amazing benefits of turmeric is its inflammatory-fighting properties. Some studies have found that taking turmeric numerous times a day can have the same anti-inflammatory effects as taking ibuprofen. Additional aspects of counteracting inflammation include turmeric's ability to decrease swelling and even assist in treating allergies. 

While CBD is an effective inflammatory healer, turmeric has the added benefit of including additional vitamins and nutrients. 

Turmeric can help relieve stress

Research shows that the bioactive compound found in turmeric called curcumin is effective for relieving stress and anxiety due to its increase in levels of serotonin and dopamine. Some studies have shown that turmeric can be just as effective as some prescription medications but without the side effects. 

Although turmeric can be very effective in combatting stress, it has poor bioavailability, which greatly impacts your capacity to absorb its nutrients. On the flip side, CBD offers a much higher bioavailability, allowing you to reap more benefits if you have to choose between turmeric vs. CBD for stress.

Turmeric can improve skin

You may not think of turmeric as something you can use on your skin, but its anti-inflammatory properties can decrease skin inflammation and increase the skin's ability to regenerate. 

There are several advantages of adding turmeric to your skincare routine including reducing acne. Due to its antimicrobial properties, turmeric can decrease the growth of acne-causing bacteria while its anti-inflammatory effects promote healing for agitated areas. In addition to these benefits, turmeric can also help restore dull skin, protect against environmental damage, and signs of aging, and help with hyperpigmentation. 

Turmeric provides an overall nutritional boost

As a natural resource, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that offer cellular protection against environmental factors. Turmeric can protect cells and restore damage from pollution, sunlight, and toxins. In addition to this, turmeric is rich in vitamins C, and B, magnesium, iron, and other antioxidants known to reduce the likelihood of serious health conditions. 

Tumeric is affordable and widely found at grocery stores

Easily found at grocery and health stores, you can buy turmeric as a spice for cooking or in supplement form at various stores. This makes it quite different from CBD, which tends to be more costly and not as widely accessible. 

There are many options for turmeric spice and supplements to choose from, so here are some tips for finding high-quality options. First, look for third-party lab testing to ensure your product contains the ingredients listed on the label. Additionally, if buying a turmeric supplement, check to see that it contains black pepper extract, piperine, or an oil to increase its absorption.

How and Why to Combine CBD & Turmeric 

If you are looking for an impactful natural duo, combining CBD and turmeric is where it’s at. Both contributing to healing and overall wellness, they not only support each other’s results but also enhance them. Since turmeric is not easily absorbed into the body, adding CBD immensely impacts the bioavailability and therapeutic effects. 

Make yourself a CBD & turmeric smoothie 

Try combining turmeric and CBD in a drink, such as a turmeric smoothie or tea. While turmeric provides a greater boost of nutritional health, adding CBD to your drinks will make it more easily absorbed while also adding a variety of health benefits all on its own.

Combine them with your skincare regimen

With powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, using a mix of turmeric and CBD in your skincare routine can help address aging concerns, sun damage, acne, and skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema. Just because this powerful duo is impressive, remember that you can also use these natural ingredients on their own. 

Shop for CBD With Botanika Life

Whether you are buying CBD or any other supplement, choosing products from a high-quality company is vital to reap the benefits of nature’s healers. Botanika Life offers holistic CBD products that are organic and clean, delivering premium-level results. Third-party lab tested with simple and effective results, Botanika Life offers the quality of CBD you can rely on while being free of GMOs, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. 

By Emily Wegener

With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.