Lovers of Indian curries may recognize turmeric, a member of the ginger family, as a flavorful, bright yellow spice. The herb also lends its distinctive flavor to steak sauce and prepared mustard. Otherwise known as Curcuma longa, turmeric enjoys a reputation for its purported health benefits as well. Though the need for further scientific study exists, practitioners of alternative medicine claim that turmeric may help support liver function. As with all herbal remedies, consult your doctor before use.
About Turmeric
Turmeric has a lengthy history of use in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine as a remedy for jaundice and other liver disorders. Found in India and southern Asia, the perennial herb grows to heights of three feet. It bears shiny, lance-shaped leaves and spikes of yellow flowers emerging from a knobbed rhizome, or underground stem, with a bright orange-yellow pulp that is used for medicinal purposes.
Turmeric Benefits
Curcumin, turmeric's most active key constituent, has a reputation as a potent anti-inflammatory agent and a powerful antioxidant, possibly as strong as the antioxidants of vitamins C and E. According to a 2009 Mexican review published in "Liver International," these qualities may provide significant benefits when used to treat hepatic disorders. Curcumin seems to help reverse liver damage caused by ethanol, excessive iron consumption and chronic carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Additionally, curcumin appears to accelerate the liver's detoxification process, helping to prevent alcohol and other toxins from producing harmful substances within your liver. Evidence of turmeric's efficacy and safety, however, remain complicated and unclear.
Usage
Available in powder, tincture, liquid extract and capsule form, turmeric is often used in combination with bromelain, an enzyme that digests proteins, to enhance absorption. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends the following doses of turmeric: 1 to 3 g daily of cut or dried root; 400 to 600 mg of curcumin powder three times per day; 30 to 90 drops of fluid extract daily; or 15 to 30 drops of tincture per day.
Considerations
Generally considered safe when taken at recommended doses, large quantities of curcumin taken over long periods of time can cause stomach distress. Pregnant and nursing women, people with congestive heart failure and those suffering with blood-clotting disorders, gallstones and diabetes should not take turmeric supplements. Additionally, according to Phyllis A. Balch, certified nutritional consultant and author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," a lab animal study indicated that turmeric may reduce fertility. Balch suggests avoiding the herb if you have a history of fertility problems.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Curcumin
- "Liver International": Pharmacological Actions of Curcumin in Liver Diseases or Damage; Y. Rivera-Espinoza and P. Muriel ; November 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Blach; 2002
