TURMERIC is just as ­effective as drugs at treating injured sportsmen, research shows.

A study of 50 top rugby players in Milan with bone or muscle pain found it matched relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.

2 Turmeric is a spice native to India and South East Asia Credit: Getty - Contributor

Using curcumin, the spice’s yellow chemical, also caused fewer side- effects. Dr Francesco Di Pierro said: “Turmeric can be used to relieve pain and improve function.”

Adam Cleevely a spokesman for the manufacturers of Turmeric+, said that the results of the study were very exciting.

He said: "This study adds to the growing body of published studies showing a variety of positive effects of Turmeric+."

"We continually get reports from customers on the anti-inflammatory benefits it delivers and the widest use of Turmeric+ is for ordinary people suffering from the most common joint issue: arthritis."

2 'We continually get reports from customers on the anti-inflammatory benefits it delivers' Credit: Getty - Contributor

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In January it was reported Dieneke Ferguson, 67, is now leading a normal life more than a decade after being diagnosed with deadly myeloma.

The Londoner turned to curcumin in desperation when chemotherapy and stem cell treatments failed.

Her cancer cell count is now negligible after she began taking 8 grams, about two teaspoons, each day in tablet form.

Other trials show it may protect against lung and heart disease, depression, and pancreatic, bowel and breast cancers.