Turmeric has long been used in Asian folk medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses. It has been used in various dosages and forms ranging from application of a turmeric salve to the skin for skin ailments, to burning turmeric leaves and inhaling the smoke to remedy a chronic cough. Turmeric is used today to help alleviate various health problems but is not rated as clinically effective for any condition. So, first talk with your doctor before using turmeric medicinally.
Identification
Turmeric is also known as curcuma, Indian saffron and haldi. The bulbs and rhizomes, or tubers, are boiled and dried for medicinal use. Turmeric is available in various forms, such as powder, tea, tincture, pill, ointment and paste. The primary chemical in turmeric is curcumin. Standardized commercial turmeric preparations that are sold today usually contain 95 percent curcumin.
Dosage
As with other treatments, the dose of turmeric may vary depending on the medical application. Turmeric powder for use as a stimulant or to alleviate intestinal gas has been taken orally in daily doses of 0.5 to 3 g. Turmeric daily doses of 3 to 6 g have been used for ulcers. Clinical studies have typically utilized daily doses ranging from 3.6 to 8 g by mouth, notes Drugs.com. Some providers recommend taking 1 tsp. of turmeric before each meal.
Uses
Turmeric has been used for treating conditions such as jaundice, hepatitis, muscle pain, liver ailments, gallbladder problems, ringworm, eye infection and skin problems. It is also used for managing diarrhea, headache and menstrual problems. Turmeric is currently being studied for its potential effectiveness against certain cancers such as stomach and intestinal cancers and for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Also, turmeric paste applied to the skin is being tested for preventing skin cancer, notes Drugs.com.
Effectiveness
According to MedlinePlus, preliminary research results indicate that turmeric may be possibly effective for treating upset stomach. Also, there is scientific information suggesting that turmeric may relieve some symptoms of skin cancer, reports MedlinePlus. Some research has shown that the curcumin found in turmeric may help to alleviate symptoms of arthritis.
Considerations
Turmeric has caused few side effects when tested in clinical trials, states Drugs.com. However, rare cases of allergic reactions and increased risk of kidney stones were reported. Turmeric may sometimes cause nausea and diarrhea. Avoid use of turmeric during pregnancy or lactation and two weeks before any scheduled surgery.
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