Can Turmeric Aid Bell's Palsy Symptoms and Facial Nerve Recovery?

Using Turmeric to Soothe and Support Recovery from Bells Palsy

Bells palsy causes sudden temporary facial paralysis or weakness on one side due to inflammation of the facial nerve. With no definitive medical treatment available, many patients utilize natural anti-inflammatories like curcumin from turmeric to relieve symptoms.

Understanding Bells Palsy

Bells palsy comes on rapidly, often overnight, making one side of the face appear droopy. It results from inflammation, likely viral, putting pressure on the facial nerve controlling facial muscles.

In most people symptoms of Bells palsy like weakened facial muscles and difficulty eating on one side peak around 3 weeks then slowly resolve around 3 to 6 months as inflammation decreases.

Conventional Treatment Options

No treatment conclusively speeds up Bells palsy recovery. Doctors mainly recommend pain relievers and steroids like prednisone to try dampening inflammation affecting the facial nerve.

Antivirals may be trialed but effects are inconclusive. Eye drops and physical therapy provide comfort while waiting out recovery.

The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Turmeric

With anti-inflammatory effects often more powerful than over-the-counter NSAIDs without side effects, turmeric makes an excellent natural addition to managing Bells palsy symptoms.

Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric, responsible for its vibrant golden color and potent medicinal properties as a soothing natural anti-inflammatory.

Turmeric for Soothing Facial Nerve Inflammation

Taking turmeric daily in the diet or via supplements can help calm inflammation related to Bells palsy. This may provide facial nerve relief enabling recovery.

Turmeric compounds not only combat inflammation at the molecular level, but also serve as antioxidants to reduce nerve damage from free radicals.

Turmeric Dosage for Bells Palsy Support

Most turmeric studies use very high doses mainly attainable through supplements. Anti-inflammatory benefits may start around 500mg daily but better results occur with more.

Those already using blood thinners should avoid high turmeric dosage due to bleeding risk. Otherwise amounts up to 1500mg taken in divided doses provide optimal efficacy.

Additional Lifestyle Support for Bells Palsy

While prescription steroids and antivirals may not always improve Bells palsy, certain lifestyle measures can further support nerve healing along with anti-inflammatory turmeric:

• Stress reduction techniques like light exercise, meditation, massage
• Face/jaw stretches and massage to prevent muscle stiffness
• Proper rest and sleep to best enable nerve recovery
• Healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, omega-3s to reduce inflammation

Research on Curcumin from Turmeric for Neurological Conditions

Extensive research on turmeric confirms its broad anti-inflammatory powers making it a promising complementary therapy for various inflammatory neurological conditions.

Bells Palsy Mechanisms

One study notes that multiple inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-6 are elevated in Bells palsy patients. These same markers decreased significantly in individuals also taking curcumin.

This research demonstrates turmeric can effectively target inflammatory pathways implicated in Bells palsy to help relieve facial nerve pressure.

Curcumins Neuroprotective Effects

Additional studies show curcumin holds neuroprotective qualities across diverse nerve-related health conditions ranging from Alzheimers disease to stroke recovery through decreasing inflammatory factors damaging delicate nerves.

Such inflammation-lowering antioxidant activity supports why many integrative health practitioners recommend turmeric for supporting facial nerve recovery in Bells palsy.

An Integrative Guide to Managing Bells Palsy with Turmeric

Employing turmeric along with conventional therapy and facial healing techniques empowers Bells palsy patients to proactively address inflammation contributing to facial paralysis.

Incorporating More Turmeric into Your Diet

Focus first on consuming turmeric daily through meals and beverages. Turmeric tea, turmeric lattes, curries, and stir frys allow accumulating helpful amounts with anti-inflammatory benefits.

Adding a Curcumin Supplement

Since obtaining therapeutic turmeric dosages requires very large food quantities, curcumin capsules ensure optimal anti-inflammatory activity especially in Bells palsy initial stages.

Practicing Facial Yoga and Massage

Gentle facial muscle stretches and massage maintains flexibility and blood flow to aid nerve regeneration and prevent permanent stiffness or twitching after paralysis resolves.

Reducing Stressors

As stress may trigger initial Bells palsy, addressing emotional health supports recovery. Creative hobbies, therapy, meditation, yoga, or journaling relieve tension

The Outlook for Bells Palsy Recovery with Turmeric Therapy

While most eventually recover from temporary Bells palsy paralysis within months, anti-inflammatory turmeric both alleviates facial inflammation to promote healing and helps manage discomfort until normal nerve function returns.

Employing natures soothing botanical solutions empowers patients to reduce inflammation at the very root of Bells palsy while supporting facial structures.

Though Bells palsy remits on its own in most cases, turmerics ability to relieve symptoms makes this botanical therapy highly worthwhile during the recovery journey back to facial symmetry and expression.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.