Turmeric Paste for Arthritic Swelling

I have heard that you can take turmeric, make a paste with it and spread it on legs and other areas of the body and then wrap with clean gauze, go to sleep and in 24 hours swelling and arthritis will be relieved. Is this really possible?
Thank you for any light you can shed on this subject.

Ayurvedic practitioners use turmeric paste or cream externally to heal muscle and joint tissue. Turmeric is strongly anti-inflammatory. It removes inflammation by improving circulation. It can be used both externally and internally. Turmeric does stain yellow! Be careful to cover the bed and other surfaces that come in contact with turmeric. The skin will be temporarily stained yellow, but generally people feel that the strong healing effect of turmeric is worth this inconvenience.
Poultices (packs of herbs that are wrapped in cloth and applied to the body) are commonly used to reduce inflammation and swelling by drawing out the toxic fluids. Clay packs have been used for thousands of years. Crushed cabbage leaf and comfrey are commonly used for joint and muscle pain. Herbalists use various combinations of crushed and lightly steamed cabbage leaf with comfrey, cider vinegar and lobelia. The packs are generally removed and replaced after about 4 hours for the best drawing effect.
More than one application would likely be necessary. The causes of arthritis, such as inflammatory foods in the diet, would have to be removed in order to experience long term remission. Inflammatory foods are listed in a previous answer titled "Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Epilepsy". Please go to our website at www.richters.com, and choose "Q&A". Enter "arthritis" for the search.