Turmeric Benefits: Health Uses & Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Eyes

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Posted by Jeri (Springfield, IL) on 03/12/2009
★★★★★

Turmeric cured my arthritis pain in my neck and back, and it relieved my chronic puffy eyes too. I started taking 450 mg. capsules of Turmeric 3x a day for the pain from bone spurs in my neck, and it really worked. I was in so much pain, and I was so grateful. But as a bonus, it also seemed to cure my chronic puffy eye problem, which I'd tried to control for the past two years by watching the salt in my diet. Well, there's no mistake about it, the Turmeric has also cured my puffy eyes problem too. I still plan on watching my salt intake, but it is SO nice to look normal, and feel normal again.


Fatigue

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(1) 
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Posted by Lisa (Coto de Caza, CA, USA) on 02/26/2009
★★★★★

Turmeric for Fatigue: I have Chronic Fatigue along with Mercury toxicity and started taking Turmeric for a tooth infection/ sensitive tooth. A GREAT side effect was energy! It only took a few days to get started. I take about 4 capsule in morning and 4 at lunch (homemade caps with turmeric from spice aisle). WARNING: Don't take before bed. I couldn't sleep for a few nights until I figured out it was giving me energy.

I love this stuff.

Replied by Gean
(Salina, KS)
06/13/2009

I had the same experience, and so did two other people I know. For a few days (3 or 4) I felt great with only a few hours of sleep, and then I started to feel unwell and confused. My friend became irritable and emotional. I had to cut way down on the turmeric dosage. It must work as a stimulant, maybe. I started going up on the dosage again, and then when it started to keep me up at night (or wake me up at odd hours) I would take a break from it. Experiment to see how much you can take without losing sleep. Believe me, it will catch up with you.


Fatigue
Posted by Gean (Salina, KS) on 12/23/2008
★★★★★

I must say I agree the positive effects of turmeric. I have had weak adrenals all my life, chronic fatigue for the last 16 years since my first child was born. Tried many things which helped, but when I started taking turmeric about 3 weeks ago, two days later my energy level increased by about 80%, and my mental fog suddenly lifted. I became much more motivated and organized. I experimented with dosage:

First day I took a whole Tablespoon of the powder mixed with honey, but it was overdose (my heart was pounding and I had to lie down for a few hours).

Next day, I took 1 teaspoon mixed with water or milk 3 times a day. No side effects, a little more energy. By the 3rd day much more energy, and by the fourth day, cleaned my whole house without having to rest at all. Brain fog gone suddenly.

The next day, I got Turmeric and tried taking 1 three times a day. Became irritable and disoriented with so much. Now I take 1 capsule (500mg) every morning, and I feel great, can be active all day without getting tired.

I take it 6 days, 7th day off. Plan to take 7th week off, 7th month off.

Turmeric should not be taken by anyone who is on blood thinners, since it further thins your blood.


Fatty Liver

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Posted by Dawn002 (Calgary) on 04/02/2022
★★★★★

I have had Liver pain for last six years. Ultrasound showed I have fatty liver which is the side effect of Hormone replacement pills I was on for years. I tried milk thistle and couple other supplements they didn't help.I have started taking 1/4 of tsp of turmeric powder with oil or peanut butter. My triglyceride and liver enzymes showed normal in last two blood tests. After years of suffering, I finally feel relief. However, turmeric made my blood pressure drop so now I take it cautiously. Turmeric is apparently absorbed better by our body if taken with oil and black pepper and it also brings down your sugar level and is blood thinner too. I suggest do your own research.


Fibroids

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Posted by Rapha7 (Mytown, Usa) on 01/20/2009
★★★★☆

Fibroid Tumor Remedy - Tumeric

I found out about 4 or 5 years ago that I have fibroids when having an ultrasound for something else, and over the course of that time my periods have gotten heavier, started having clots and experiencing cramps which I rarely ever got. During the heavy times I would go through a Ultra Plus tampon in 1 hour.

I don't remember if it was on EC or another site, but I read that the heavy bleeding was caused by inflammation (either the Uterus being inflammed or the fibroids)during periods and it mentioned taking Tumeric.

Someone on EC recommended Natto, and I tried that for a while, but didn't notice reduced bleeding. Then I added a sprinkling of Turmeric on the Natto. The bleeding was reduced some, but I thought it was the Natto. I ran out of Tumeric & continued with the Natto and since I didn't seem to be getting great results, and the Natto is 'Natso good' I stopped.

It wasn't until I read the article about inflammation & Tumeric, that I put 2 and 2 together & realized that what had reduced the bleeding when I was eating the Natto with Tumeric sprinkled on it was actually the Tumeric doing it's thing. To be sure, over the last couple of months I've been taking 1 large teaspoon of Tumeric in juice, at least twice a day when my period starts, & it's nothing short of a miracle. Now I can actually get 3 - 4 hours of solid sleep without having to worry about an accident. Before on heavy nights, I would sit up, so I wouldn't fall all the way to sleep, so I could get up every hour or hour and a half to change. During that time if I could get a solid 2 hours of sleep I was estatic.

Other remedies I tried was the Unsulphered Black Strap Molasses. It reduced the clots by around 90% and the iron definitely gave me an extra boost, as the heavy bleeding caused me to be anemic, but it did not reduce the bleeding.

I hope some of you ladies try this and get the results I have. Although it's not a cure, it helps make the fibroid situation bearable. Lastly, the Tumeric is bitter, but well worth the results.

Replied by Mia
(Maine)
07/25/2023

I know this is an older post, but for reference any women struggling with painful periods, especially heavy with clots - it's not normal! Even if a doctor or nurse tells you it is, they just don't want to have to order tests that may or may not help much since hormonal testing isn't as accurate as other blood tests (like for nutrients).

ACV, a good molasses with as much iron as you can find, and golden paste/turmeric are all wonderful but also consider adding in raspberry leaf in tea or capsule form.

I had horrible ovarian cysts and heavy periods with cramps that made me miss school and work, I would even pass out sometimes! I've used all these things in one way or another over time, but the raspberry leaf tea and turmeric in a golden paste mixed into milk to make a latte have been the BEST options. I do still use ACV and organic blackstrap molasses sometimes too (molasses is great in your golden milk latte! Kill two birds with one stone ladies! ;))


Fibroids
Posted by Shawn (Toronto, ON) on 12/08/2008
★★★★★

Turmeric and inflammation, fibroids and cysts

I'm writing about turmeric. About 8 years ago my immune system crashed. I had fibromyalgia, arthritis and lupus-like symptoms. Swelling in all my joints--my hands were twice the normal size. I researched natural treatments as I didn't want prednisone. I also changed my diet drastically, cutting out all processed food, red meat, coffee, cigarettes, booze, etc.--eating only whole food. That helped a lot. But the inflammation was still a problem. So I started taking curcumin/turmeric capsules 2 x 3 times a day. This really helped. Then I added flax oil mixed with yogurt (apparently works best in a sulfur-based protein). And it went away. I'm still free of inflammation.

Also, a few years ago I had cysts and fybroids causing lots of pain/issues. I decided to go back on the turmeric as I had read that it works on inflammation, but also it's a hormone-estrogen blocker, and I read that cysts/fibroids are often caused by too much estrogen. I also stopped using all store bought creams/perfumes and I stopped eating out of plastic containers as they all include estrogen mimickers. Long story short: all the cysts and fibroids went away.

Even if you don't change your lifestyle, turmeric will help with inflammation and cysts/fibroids, but it works even better with lifestyle changes toward using more natural products. All the best of luck to you!


Fresh Turmeric Vs. Powdered

Posted by Kerrstarr (Walnut Creek, Ca, Usa) on 09/07/2011

HI. I notice everyone talking about using turmeric powder, but I'm really curious about using fresh turmeric. Is there better bio-availability from fresh? If so, how much fresh should I use compared with powdered herb?

I guess this question leads me into other questions about herbs as well. My intuition tells me that I'm generally better off using fresh if and when I can. Am I correct in thinking this?

Also, I get that some herbs are not necessarily water soluble, so would be more effective in a carrier medium. I'm not opposed to making my own tinctures. I'm guessing that with fresh herbs, the oil/water solubility thing is less of an issue. But in the use of dried, how do I determine which herbs are better used as a tea, and which as a tincture? I realize that this is a pretty big question, and maybe I should have broken it down into 3 or 4.... Does anyone know where to find this type of information, other than years and years of study?

(I'm having terrible allergies after relocating form across the country to a totally different climate, and kind of wanted a quick answer about turmeric, but this leads into my general questions about herbs, so I had to ask....)

Thanks!

Replied by Rob
(Manhattan, Ny)
09/07/2011

There seems to be a growing consensus that Turmeric is generally poorly absorbed and that added Piperine (black pepper) enhances it's absorption. We're seeing more Turmeric products with this addition.

In terms of flavor and cooking, fresh Turmeric and Ginger both possess large differences over the dried versions... With Fresh often preferred for it's more complex flavor. I don't know if the therapeutic value is any greater... the general rule for Turmeric is 1/2 tsp dried for 1 inch of the fresh root or 1tsp fresh minced root.

Replied by Ollytempe
(Px, Arizona)
11/21/2011

Kerrstarr- It is all relative to each individual herb. Some herb contain the desired constituents when fresh and others when dried. As far as solubility, this depends on the chemical profile of the herb and which constituents you desire to extract. Different menstruums (carriers) may include water, alcohol, oil, and glycerite.

When preparing Turmeric, water and alcohol are suitable menstruums. Dried is the traditional way its used but some recent companies do tincture (alcohol) it fresh at 45% alcohol at a ratio of 1:1. I could not find a reference to the ethanol percentage used when tincturing dry but from the looks of it i'd say anywhere from 30-40% would be suitable at a ratio of 1:2 (Alcohol:herb). Turmeric may also be used in a decoction (boiling herb in water).

When studying herbs it is best to buy books from trusted herbalist and study one herb at a time. Each is unique in its own way.

-Daniel, Herbalist

Replied by Art
(San Francisco, Ca)
09/14/2016

I tried taking powdered turmeric several times in the past, but every time it would cause my hemorrhoids to bleed when going to the bathroom, only after a couple of days of the therapy. Then I tried fresh turmeric root, and for some reason, no matter how much of it I take, it does not cause the bleeding. I use a grater to grate 2-3" of the root, which gives me 2-3 tbsps., I chase it with water, need about a glass of water for the whole amount of grated turmeric. I've been doing it for almost a year, once a day, on empty stomach. It has helped me with abdominal pains.


Gangrene, Gout, MRSA

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Posted by Steve (Cleveland, Ohio, United States) on 05/13/2013
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I understand that everyone is unique and someone may be adversely affected by anything. I can't recall ever hearing of turmeric causing any harm. My daughter, who is in poor health, diabetic, blind etc. Never took care of herself and took the toxic poisons her doctor prescribed, developed gout in her foot, which turned into osteomyelitis, and MRSA, and gangrene which became life threatening. A doctor who I can't name insisted that part of her foot must be removed or she would die of the infection. I had reached a point of frustraion with the so called medical field that I cannot begin to describe. I literally researched 24-7 for natural remedies and for my daughters specific case, came up with the following. "SOUP"! Any vegetable soup, 1 heaping teaspoon of Turmeric, 1 heaping teaspoon of crushed oregano leaves, 1 medium to large "HEAD" of garlic sliced by hand no more than 1 hour prior to consumption (the allicin loses it's potency rather quickly), 1/8 cup of freshly ground golden flax seed (all organic). This was eaten every day! Along with the soup, she used oil of oregano 4 drops in a little water 3 times a day, (70% carvacrol content). Be careful not to slosh the water around so the oil stays pooled in one place. Drink it down quickly without disturbing the oil, it is very spicy.

We also soaked her foot in hot water with lots of betadine for an hour a day. We fortunately found a doctor who was willing to work with us. A pic line was put in for antibiotic administration. The antibiotics that could be used were limited because my daughter had terrible reactions to many of them. We were told the antibiotic therapy, (if it worked at all), would take six months or longer. Within a month an MRI showed it wasn't gangrene any more but osteomyelitis. A couple of weeks later, it was gout, and MRSA. A month later her white blood cell count had gone down and the pic line was removed. She was on oral antibiotics for another month and then a topical ointment to heal the skin on her foot. As an aside, DON'T SMOKE! Smoking drastically reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream and hampers healing. Most bad bugs are anaerobic and do not survive in the presence of adequate oxygen. No more MRSA, her primary doc stopped lisinopril ( it causes gout). Hope this helps someone. The BIBLE tells us, all plants are for food and for medicine, and it DOESN'T say, no salt.

Replied by Bess
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
05/13/2013

Hi Steve from Cleveland - Your daughter is very blessed to have you as her dad! My diabetic brother went along with what the doctors said and had a partial amputation of his foot which led to other complications. This must be happening all the time. I have written down the ingredients for the soup - it sounds like it would be good for so many things. Thanks for sharing your story. I wish all the best for you and your family. Take care, Bess

Replied by Gillian
(Andalusa Spain)
10/04/2013

I am sorry for all the pain your daughter is going thru and good for you not giving up and for being such a great mom.

I don't know if this would help, and please check to make sure it is safe for her to do the following. I had a tooth infection and I put goldenseal, sprinkled from a capsule on it, and brushed the area, and put some in a tea bag and put it on the infection. ( I also brushed the area with kosher salt and gargled with salt water, however it only got better when I used goldenseal. ) In 2 or 3 days infection was gone.

She might want to also take it internally, but make sure it is safe for her to do so.

Good luck to you both and I will keep you in my prayers.

Gillian


Gum Disease

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Posted by Farhad (Canada, Ontario) on 02/09/2008
★★★★★

in the past few years my gums changed colour to a darker colour and my dentist told me my gums are receding my white teeth were yellow due to smoking .2 weeks ago i was told to use tumeric powder with my tooth paste when brushing since then my darker gum is changing colour to pink again in most spots and my teeth including 2front venirs are bright it strengtens gums and teeth but stains my hands only after brushing.no product did what a $2 tumeric powder has done for me.thank you.

Replied by Sanjeev
(Jalandhar Punjab- India)
10/20/2011

Very good I suggest you that you can also mix some quantity of black peeper with turmeric for any type of tooth problem. Thanks


Head and Neck, Sore Throat and Coughs

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Posted by Jeanie (Kamuela, Hawai'i) on 12/17/2022
★★★★★

Head & neck remedy, throats & cough esp

Years ago, I did lomilomi training with auntie Margaret Machado. She believed in turmeric! She said “anything for the head and neck, include Turmeric” in the remedy that you recommend. I get a small jar of honey and remove some, replacing it to the top with ground fresh turmeric. Whatever hot tea I choose to make, I add 1-3 spoons of this mix. Sometimes squeeze 1/2 lemon. It's very comforting. And I've noticed quick results when I've used it with myself and others. I keep this jar on the top stove ledge so I remember to use it. J


Headache

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Posted by Janie (Nj, Usa) on 11/28/2011
★★★★★

Turmeric is great against arthritis pain, but also for headache or other pains.

My spouse and I take daily turmeric with bromelain (2) capsules and experience no symptoms of arthritis. If we run out of them, we notice the difference right away. (450 each combo capsule from nat fac)

When a headache comes along or a sore throat we use 2 capsules, instead of aspirin or ibuprofen (in addition to our daily regimen).

Conventional medical providers acknowledge turmeric is equal to ibuprofen in pain relief. (And lots less side effects to worry about! )


Heartburn

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Posted by Sindee (Santa Cruz, Ca) on 10/13/2011
★★★★★

I have taken tumeric with a glass of warm milk for heartburn which I used to get often. Almond milk actually works much better and goat milk is the best.


High Blood Pressure

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Posted by Judy (Australia) on 09/12/2018

I would love to say turmeric has been beneficial for lowering blood pressure but since taking it l have hardly slept a wink in 2 weeks. I usually sleep very well and only took between 1/4 teaspoon or a little over of turmeric powder in a small amount of water. Perhaps it was the brand, albeit a well known one, but won't take the chance again.

Hawthorn seems to be much more agreeable in my case so will continue to take that, which is mentioned in Shane Ellison's Over the Counter Natural Cures. It really is a brilliant book and I would highly recommend it.


Homemade Turmeric Extract

Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 10/28/2017

After many years of reading Mama to Many's suggestions for making homemade extracts, I decided to give it a try. I bought turmeric root from the local health food store, washed it (did not peel, as was suggested online) and put it through my salad shooter to grate it. I added a little more than a tablespoon of black peppercorns to the mix. A little over a cup of turmeric was then covered with two cups of 40% vodka. I made it on October 1, and have been shaking it almost daily.

My question is, how long before I strain it into a bottle, and how clear does the liquid have to be to prevent mold growth? (although the vodka may take care of that! ). Do I also need to put it through a coffee filter after the white cloth? I imagine I should put it in a small amount of water before drinking a dropperful, as I do with the HerbPharm I bought? Is it OK to keep it unrefrigerated in a dark place? Thank you! Any advice would be much appreciated!

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tn)
10/30/2017

Dear Rsw,

So exciting; can't wait to hear about how you use it and what you find it to be useful for.

I usually let the herbs sit in vodka for 2-6 weeks. Sometimes much longer if I forget about them. But 4-6 weeks is plenty. 2 weeks if I am in a hurry.

Some of my tinctures turn out quite clear and others are less clear. It may look more clear once you strain it. (Yes, a final strain through a coffee filter is a good idea.) But even so, yes the vodka should take care of anything that could spoil. I have never had a problem with a tincture going bad. They can last for years, which is handy!

I usually add tincture to a small amount of water, except when I need FAST results.

(Recently my 6 year old had a bad nosebleed and my usual remedies were not working. I gave him a dropperful of nettle tincture, undiluted, under the tongue and had him hold it there several seconds before swallowing and it did stop the bleeding! )

Sometimes I use a tincture straight on the skin as well. (Avoiding its use on broken or delicate skin unless an urgent situation warranted it.)

Yes, I keep them in a dark place and do not refrigerate them. I keep some in a dark brown glass bottle on the counter in the kitchen if they are ones I use often.

Hope that helps!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Rsw
(Oh)
10/30/2017

Thank you, MTM! I doubt that I would ever have tried this if you hadn't mentioned your homemade tinctures on Earth Clinic! It is looking fairly dark, so I am telling myself it will be nice and strong. I think the dark brown glass container would be good for the long term, so I will use that. I really appreciate your experienced tips, because I didn't want to ruin it on the homestretch! I will strain it through the cloth and a coffee filter, as you advise. I think I will wait until the end of the week, so it will be almost five weeks since it was started. I will post my reaction to it after I take it for a couple of weeks. You are such a blessing to all of us on this site! Thank you so much.

Replied by Rsw
(Oh)
11/16/2017

I completed the turmeric extract I had been making, and would like to add some observations I have learned. Turmeric is the only supplement I have seen in fifteen years that has been shown to stop Lichen Planus, and I was pretty excited to try this. I learned that with oral LP, anything extracted with 40% vodka is not going to sit well with the mouth, even diluted! Secondly, after I evaporated the vodka off by heating it, the 1-1 1/2 T. of whole peppercorns I added for better absorption by the body still will only burn the mouth. It was very hot, and I think much less should have been used. The extract looked good and all things considered, it was a good experience to try this. My doctor told me today, after I commented on the post about turmeric and macular degeneration, that she feels I should not use it anymore, so I will have to think about this.

Art, I have purchased a few of the supplements you have described in your protocol, thinking perhaps the same pathways that cause psoriasis may be a part of LP. I think T-cells may be involved in both. Life is a journey, isn't it?

Thank you to MTM for all her advice and encouragement to us all to try to make our own remedies. I am always amazed at how she can find a way to mitigate so many different challenges that arise, and I always learn something from her posts.

And thank you, Art, for proving that tenacity is a worthwhile endeavor. Your research skills are among the best! I am so happy you have found and shared what you have learned with us, and found a cure for psoriasis! You logically figured out what doctoral researchers failed to do, and no doubt have helped many who had lost faith that they would ever be well!

Thank you, Earth Clinic, for giving us this forum to post what we learn. Best wishes for good health to everyone here.

Replied by Art
(California)
11/17/2017
2309 posts

Hi Rsw,

Thank you for the very thoughtful comments!! My main regret is that I was not able to find this combination sooner, but better late than never!

I hope the supplements you chose are helpful for you. I had tried the EGCG and PBE individually before, but not together and not at a high enough dose to be effective. The NOW PBE makes it simple and easy to take both. Back when I first tried them, I still thought that the dose on the label was the most effective dose.......well that was a very long time ago!

If you ever use the turmeric or curcumin for anything topically, it will definitely stain almost everything! As an alternative for topical use, you can use the curcumin derivative tetrahydrocurcuminoids which has similar effects to curcumin, but does not stain. Here is one example:

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-superior-herbs-advanced-tetrahydrocurcuminoids-95-200-mg-60-veg-caps

I tried it in a topical solution and it did not stain. It is a white powder instead of the deep yellow/gold of curcumin. When I was experimenting with curcumin it seemed like you just had to get close to the curcumin and it would stain you or your clothes. I am now allergic to curcumin and had hoped that I would not be allergic to tetrahydrocurcuminoids, but I reacted to it just as I do to curcumin.

The research for turmeric/curcumin is very impressive, so I am very disappointed not to be able to use it as part of my health chest, but for others who can, it can be very helpful for health!

Art

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tn)
11/19/2017

Dear Rsw,

Thank you for reporting back! Even if this didn't end up being the solution you had hoped for, you have learned something, which is valuable for you and us!

Thank you also for your encouraging words! I appreciate your patient encouragement of others here at EC - I have learned about LDN and other things from your posts. One of the great things about EC is the cumulative body of knowledge from thousands of posters. I have not found another site online that has anything close to this kind of database. Here a little, there a little and next thing you know there is so much information from which to glean.

~Mama to Many~


How to Take Turmeric

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Posted by Amanda (Bath, Uk) on 07/18/2015

I take turmeric in the form of a cooked paste made with organic cold pressed coconut oil and freshly ground organic black pepper. My understanding is that the oil helps with the bioavailability of the turmeric and the black pepper helps to keep in in the system for longer. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory as well as analgesic, antiseptic etc., and with that in mind I personally would avoid taking it with honey as honey is an inflammatory.

I take my turmeric paste for aches and pains and eye problems all associated with Graves Disease. If I miss my Tumeric dose I find that my eyes become extremely uncomfortable and I get increase joint pain.

Replied by Mia
(Maine)
07/25/2023

Just to clarify, honey is not inflammatory if it is true honey. Not the fake stuff often sold in stores (that is usually just corn syrup.) Honey, especially honey that is truly local to your area, is filled with benefits like helping with seasonal allergies (this is verified by many studies) and honey is a HUGE help to wound care. Even many hospitals are now using it, my Veterinarian recommends it to patients who cut paws or for horses who get scratched up trail riding. Our dog cut her paw on the beach one day and it was a holiday weekend, our wonderful vet just recommended we put honey on it and wrap it and he'd see if stitches were necessary come the week's start. Well, we stopped by a local Amish farmstand that only had raw honey in mason jars (it looks almost like peanut butter! ) and lo-and-behold it worked so well our vet looked at the paw and said "I thought you said it was a really deep cut! This just looks like a scrape! " It was that healed over within 3 days. It was indeed a very deep cut, but honey worked wonders.

So no, while I wouldn't add honey directly to your golden paste recipe, keep the original in your fridge, adding honey to your 'golden milk' recipe would be lovely and healthy! IF it's real honey that is!



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