Turmeric is commonly used to flavor cooking, such as curry dishes, and as a fabric dye. Its active ingredient, curcumin, may have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anti-tumor effects. As such, it is sometimes used as an alternative remedy for a variety of ailments including osteoarthritis, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Talk to your doctor before including it in your treatment program, and don't use it in place of prescription medicines.
Osteoarthritis
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking 300 mg of a standardized extract of turmeric three times daily may help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, a disease that occurs when the rubbery tissue that cushions the joints begins to wear away. The results of a clinical study of 107 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, published in the August 2009 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine," found that turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, was as effective as the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen in reducing osteoarthritic pain.
Crohn's Disease
The inflammatory bowel condition known as Crohn's disease is characterized by ulceration and obstruction of the intestine, which causes abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss and fever. UMMC notes that taking 1 g to 2 g of turmeric daily may help to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms and may also reduce the need for prescription medicines. However, UMMC adds that only preliminary evidence to support the use of turmeric in the treatment of Crohn's disease exists, and further research is needed to confirm its potential as a complementary remedy for Crohn's.
Cancer
Turmeric may also possess anti-cancer effects, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. An article published in the February 2011 issue of "Molecular Cancer" adds that curcumin may exert anti-cancer effects by affecting several biological pathways and may induce cancer cell death. A review article published in the October 2010 issue of "Nutrition and Cancer" adds that the turmeric compound, curcumin, may also act as a chemosensitizer and radiosensitizer for tumors while protecting healthy tissue from the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Considerations
MedlinePlus notes that taking medicinal quantities of turmeric may be safe, but it may cause diarrhea and nausea. Don't take turmeric if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have gallbladder problems. It may reduce your blood's ability to clot, so don't use it alongside anticoagulants like aspirin and warfarin.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Turmeric
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Osteoarthritis
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine;" Efficacy and Safety of Curcuma Domestica Extracts in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis; V.Kuptniratsaikul et al.; August 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- "Molecular Cancer;" Curcumin: A Review of Anti-Cancer Properties and Therapeutic Activity in Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma; R. Wilken et al.; February 2011
- "Nutrition and Cancer;" Curcumin, The Golden Spice From Indian Saffron, is a Chemosensitizer and Radiosensitizer For Tumors and Chemoprotector and Radioprotector for Normal Organs; A. Goel and B.B. Aggarwal; October 2010
