Until recently, most people knew turmeric as the plant that gave Indian curries a strong, bitter flavor and their trademark mustard yellow appearance. However, as of 2010, researchers are testing turmeric, and its active ingredient, curcumin, for medicinal purposes. Herbalists have used the plant for over 4,000 years to treat inflammation and improve liver and kidney function. Though research is still in its infancy, turmeric shows promise for helping treat a number of ailments.
Cancer
Researchers are currently testing turmeric and curcumin's ability to prevent, control and kill numerous types of cancer, including breast, prostate, skin and colon cancers. In laboratory dishes, curcumin destroys cancer cells and retards growth of the remaining cells. In animals, curcumin appears to shrink cancerous tumors, possibly by cutting off the tumors blood supply, according to the American Cancer Society. As of 2011, not enough clinical evidence exists for researchers to make a definitive conclusion regarding the plant's usefulness as a cancer-fighting agent.
Eye Disorders
A preliminary study shows that curcumin may help treat eye inflammation known as uveitis. In one study, curcumin worked as well as corticosteroids normally used to treat the eye disorder. Drugs.com shows that in a clinical trial performed with rats, curcumin delayed the onset of cataracts when rats consumed curcumin orally. In addition, the "Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science" released a 2005 study performed by Dr. Palla Suryanarayana et al showing that curcumin delayed diabetes-related cataracts in rats. As of 2011, researchers are still unable to draw firm conclusions due to a lack of clinical trials.
Atherosclerosis
Turmeric may help prevent atherosclerosis, which is plaque buildup that can cause arterial blockages leading to stroke or heart attack. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that in animal studies, turmeric lowered cholesterol levels and prevented dangerous low-density lipoproteins, or LDL from building in the blood vessels, stopping plaque from forming. Turmeric also appears to stop platelets from clumping together, helping prevent blood clots from building up along arterial walls. As of 2011, researchers are not sure whether turmeric will have this effect on humans and are unsure of a proper dosage.
Diabetes
When researchers gave turmeric to lab animals with diabetes, their blood sugar levels dropped. They are unsure as to whether these effects would be helpful for treating diabetes. They do warn that if diabetics take turmeric medicinally with other diabetes medications, it may cause low blood sugar to dip excessively low.
Gastrointestinal Ailments
Researchers are also studying the effects of curcumin on gastrointestinal ailments such as stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. When they gave rats curcumin for five days prior to induction of colitis, researchers noticed a reduction in colonic inflammation and noted weight loss when compared with control group. A study involving human patients with irritable bowel syndrome given 1800 or 3600mg per day, patients showed an improved quality of life. Another study conducted in patients with Crohn's disease showed favorable results.
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