Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a medicinal and culinary herb native to tropical areas of southern Asia. It provides numerous health benefits, though limited scientific research regarding its effectiveness exists. In most cases, studies examining the herb were performed on animals or in test tubes, and proof of its healing power relies most heavily on historic use. Traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic healing systems both recognize turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties, which modern science has only begun to uncover.
Gastrointestinal
Turmeric stimulates bile production in the gallbladder, which may help improve digestion and reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal problems. Commission E, the German equivalent of the United States Food and Drug Administration, has approved turmeric for treating a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. Herbalists have used turmeric to treat indigestion, ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcers and intestinal gas. A study published in the December 2006 edition of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology concluded that turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, is a safe and promising medication for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis patients.
Cardiovascular
Although few scientific studies have explored turmeric's effects on the human cardiovascular system, herbalists have long used the herb to treat a variety of heart ailments. The herb's active ingredient, curcumin, may possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions that benefit cardiovascular health. An animal study published in the December 2005 edition of the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology found that low doses of curcumin may prevent plaque buildup that causes heart attack and stroke. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the herb's effects on the human heart and the dosage required to see results is currently unknown.
Vision
Preliminary research suggests that turmeric may help treat uveitis, an inflammatory disease of the eye. A study published in Phytotherapy Research found that all patients given curcumin supplements experienced improvement after 12 weeks of treatment. Researchers compared the effectiveness of the substance to that of corticosteroid therapy, the current standard treatment for the disease. In his book "The New Healing Herbs," Michael Castleman also recommends the use of turmeric for treating cataracts due to its antioxidant activity, though further research is needed to confirm these claims.
Other Benefits
Healers have used turmeric for over 4,000 years to treat a variety of ailments, some of which have only anecdotal evidence as support. Some of these traditional uses include treating skin diseases, wounds, liver damage, arthritis, diabetes, bacterial and viral infections, kidney stones and even cancer. It is believed that turmeric may kill several types of cancers and even prevent them from developing with its strong antioxidant properties. Much more scientific research is necessary, however, before doctors can recommend the herb for treating or preventing cancer.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- PubMed: Curcumin Maintenance Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis: Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- PubMed: Effect of Curcumin on Atherosclerosis in ApoE/LDLR-Double Knockout Mice
- PubMed: Efficacy of Curcumin in the Management of Chronic Anterior Uveitis
- "The New Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 2001
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