Efficacy of turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa Linn</i>) decoction to reduce pain in patients with gastritis

Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn) has been used by Indonesian people for a long time to treat pain in digestive disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of turmeric decoction on pain in gastritis patients. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pre- and posttest approach. The consecutive sampling method was employed to recruit 100 participants in Samarinda, Indonesia. After assessing baseline pain levels (Pretest), participants were administered the intervention, which involved the consumption of turmeric decoction for 14 consecutive days, with a regimen of 2 × 150 ml daily, specifically 15 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Post-test measurements were recorded on days 5, 10, and 14. Pain scores were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale, Data analysis utilized the paired T-test to determine differences in mean gastritis pain levels before and after the intervention. The findings revealed a significant reduction in gastritis pain scores between the Pretest measurements is 3.8 and the post-test on day 5 (1.34), day 10 (0.62), and day 14 (0.31). The statistical analysis yielded a p-value of 0.000. The study demonstrated the efficacy of turmeric decoction in alleviating pain among gastritis patients, with notable improvements observed as early as day 5 of the treatment regimen. Consequently, we recommend the incorporation of turmeric decoction as a complementary and non-pharmacological therapeutic approach for the effective management of gastritis symptoms.