Curcuma longa, better known as turmeric, is a plant in the ginger family that grows naturally in India and other tropical regions of Asia. Turmeric root is a common spice in Asian and Middle Eastern recipes, and some people also use turmeric as an herbal remedy for various health conditions. The root and rhizome, or underground stem, contain curcumin, the plant's primary active component for medicinal uses. Turmeric is available in liquid extract and as dried extract in capsules, and in topical ointments and pastes. Little research has been performed on turmeric's potential health benefits, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Consult a qualified health care provider before beginning any herbal therapy.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Several laboratory and animal studies indicate that curcumin has properties that can fight skin cancer, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). This may result from antioxidant activity, prevention of tumor blood vessel growth and direct effects on cancer cells. The NIH notes that research is lacking on whether turmeric could prevent or treat skin cancer in people.
Scabies
Turmeric applied topically has a traditional role in treating scabies, according to the NIH. Scabies is a contagious and itchy skin disease resulting from an infestation by mites. Some people also combine turmeric with leaves of the plant Azadirachta indica, commonly called neem, to treat scabies. During a study published in the January 1992 issue of "Tropical and Geographical Medicine," a paste combining neem and turmeric was used to treat over 800 people with scabies, resulting in cures for 97 percent of this group within 15 days.
Wound Healing and Eczema
Turmeric also has traditional uses for cleaning and healing wounds and for treating eczema. Curcumin and volatile oils in turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Acne
Conventional western medicine views acne as resulting from overactive oil glands, clogged pores and bacteria. In the view of Ayurveda, the traditional medicinal system of India, imbalances in the doshas kapha and vata lead to impurities in the blood that manifest as acne, explains Maharishi Ayurveda. The website recommends eating fresh, light, warm foods, and cooking with turmeric along with ginger and cumin, a spice that is not related to curcumin.
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