Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that is sometimes called Indian saffron. A common ingredient in Indian and Asian cuisines, turmeric is a powder made from the dried underground stems of the Curcuma longa plant. Turmeric also has medicinal qualities and is used in both Chinese herbal medicine and traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda. It contains a biologically active compound called curcumin, which may have benefits as a general health tonic and which may also help with some disorders.
Properties of Curcumin
Curcumin, the biologically active compound in turmeric, is a natural phytochemical called a flavonoid. It has properties that make it useful for practitioners of traditional herbal medicine. Curcumin has strong antioxidant activity comparable to that of vitamins C and E, according to Alternative Medicine Review Monographs. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, which are metabolic by-products that damage DNA and cellular membranes. Curcumin also slows growth of bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses, and it may protect cells from damage caused by these organisms and by toxic compounds.
Inflammation
The Linus Pauling Institute states that curcumin inhibits the production of several important compounds produced in the body during inflammation. As a result, curcumin may have significant anti-inflammatory activity, making it potentially helpful in treating disorders such as ostroarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other painful conditions. The Institute website describes several studies that found curcumin useful in treating post-surgical inflammation and several painful eye conditions. It states that larger trials are needed to determine if curcumin may help with other inflammatory disorders .
Infection
Practitioners of Ayurveda traditionally prescibe curcumin for respiratory infections such as colds and the flu. Because curcumin has antimicrobial properties, it may help shorten or relieve the symptoms of these disorders. Data from several laboratory studies described in the Alternative Medicine Review Monograph support this possibility, although more research in humans is needed. Traditionally, curcumin is also used topically to treat skin infections and to promote healing.
Cancer
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that curcumin has properties that are potentially useful in cancer treatment. It slows growth of cancer cells in the laboratory and may be useful in preventing or treating certain cancers, including those of the digestive system. Several phase II clinical trials to investigate the use of curcumin in treatment of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and leukemia were under way as of the end of 2010. The Cancer Center suggests that curcumin should not be combined with chemotherapy, as it may interact with some of these drugs.
Alzheimer's Disease
Curcumin may also be useful in preventing or treating Alzheimer's Disease, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. It seems to inhibit formation of amyloid protein, which accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. The Institute indicates that studies in animals have been promising. Several small trials with humans in early stages of the disease have shown curcumin to be safe and possibly helpful, although larger studies are still needed.
Dosage and Precautions
Turmeric or purified curcumin are generally considered safe, with no significant side effects. The usual dose is 500 to 8,000 mg of powdered turmeric daily. Standardized extracts of curcumin are available at most health food stores, and may be consumed at a dosage of 250 to 2,000 mg daily. Although there are no known side effects of turmeric or curcumin, interactions with prescription medications may occur. Consult a doctor to discuss whether consuming turmeric or curcumin is a good strategy for you.
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