Both turmeric and pomegranate have been used as traditional Ayervedic and Chinese medicinal herbs for many centuries. The pomegranate is a wild shrub that grows in southern Asia and is cultivated in greenhouses for both medicinal and culinary use, says Medicinal Herb Info. The root of the turmeric plant is used to give Indian curry its distinctive yellow color and flavor, says the website of the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Before using either of these medicinal herbs, consult your health care provider for advice.
Pomegranate Uses
According to the UMMC site, pomegranate is a powerful antioxidant and is rich in vitamin C. The site reports that just one pomegranate provides as much as 40 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin C. The site also says the fruit is used to treat cancer, osteoarthritis and heart disease. The MSKCC site adds that it is useful in treating atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hyperlipidemia.
Turmeric Uses
The UMMC website reports that besides being a culinary spice, turmeric is often used to treat ulcerative colitis, indigestion, osteoarthritis, stomach ulcers, cancer, hardening of the arteries, diabetes, and bacterial and viral infections. Other uses for turmeric are to treat flatulence, kidney stones and inflammation, says the MSKCC site.
Research
An article on the NCCAM website offers a detailed report of research showing the potential for pomegranate as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Anther article on the Drugs.com site reports the results of a study showing that pomegranate may be a useful treatment for the dangerous infection known as MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In an article on the PubMed.gov website, both turmeric and pomegranate were found to be effective in treating various skin pigmentation disorders.
Possible Side Effects
Turmeric used in cooking is generally considered quite safe. However the MSKCC website says that people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer should avoid it due to its possible interference with the medication effects. The UMMC website reports that a few people experience upset stomach or stomach irritation when it is taken in large amounts. Pomegranate also is considered to be quite safe as a food, but diabetics are cautioned to discuss its use with their health care providers.
Potential Interactions
Both pomegranate and turmeric have the potential for harmful interactions when taken together medicinally or with other medications or supplements. The UMMC site warns people who take blood pressure medications or cholesterol-lowering medications to avoid taking pomegranate juice medicinally. The site also advises people taking blood thinners, drugs to reduce stomach acid or diabetes medications not to take turmeric as a supplement. If you have questions about whether pomegranate or turmeric will harmfully interact with other herbs, supplements or medications you take, talk to your pharmacist or health care provider.
Forms Used
Pomegranate is not only available as the whole fruit in most supermarket produce sections, but it is also found in juice, extract, powder, and capsule forms, says the UMMC website. The site says that turmeric is readily available as a ground powder for cooking or as tincture, capsules or fluid extract for supplement use.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Listings for Pomegranate & Turmeric
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Listings for Pomegranate & Turmeric
- Medicinal Herb Info: Pomegranate
- National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Pomegranate Extract May Be Helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- PubMed.gov: Innovations in natural ingredients and their use in skin care.
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