Curry, a staple of Indian cuisine, is a blend of herbs and spices that includes turmeric, which gives it the familiar yellow color. Turmeric, an herb, also lends color to other yellow foods, such as cheese and mustard. It has been in medicinal use for thousands of years. Modern studies suggest turmeric may be effective in treating certain conditions, but most of the studies have involved test tubes and animals, rather than humans, making the results inconclusive.
Uses
Part of the Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine traditions, turmeric historically has been used to treat digestive difficulty, improve liver function, battle skin conditions such as eczema and speed the healing of wounds, among other things. According to MedlinePlus, a health website provided by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, turmeric is used today for a range of illnesses, from headaches to stomach upset to leprosy. Its effectiveness, however, hasn't been proven.
Benefits
Early research suggests that curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, may have several benefits as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer compound, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Antioxidants may protect the body from cell damage and illnesses such as infections, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Scientists are also studying whether curcumin can ward off Alzheimer's disease. U.S. Alzheimer's rates are quadruple those of India, researcher Gregory Cole told "USA Today" in 2007. Other researchers have studied turmeric's effects against arthritis and certain types of cancer.
Research
In a study published in November 2006 in the journal "Arthritis and Rheumatism," researchers at the University of Kansas found that turmeric halted damage to the joints in rats with rheumatoid arthritis and in some cases kept the rats almost symptom-free. Animal studies at the University of Texas suggest that curcumin supplements may fight breast and pancreatic cancer, reports "USA Today." Other studies have found that people who often ingest turmeric have lower incidences of breast, prostate and colon cancer and do better on memory tests than those who do not.
Precautions
The level of turmeric found in foods is likely safe to ingest, says MedlinePlus, but medicinal doses can cause diarrhea and nausea. Pregnant women should not take supplemental turmeric, which can affect menstruation and the uterus. People with gallbladder or bile duct problems should not use turmeric, and patients who are going to have surgery should stop taking turmeric at least two weeks before the operation to prevent excessive bleeding. People who take blood thinners, including aspirin and ibuprofen, should not take turmeric supplements.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Herbs at a Glance: Turmeric; July 2010
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Turmeric Supplements in the Treatment of Experimental Arthritis; Janet L. Funk et al.; October 2006
- "USA Today"; Tasty Curry Might Have a Fringe Benefit; Kathleen Fackelmann; January 2007
- MedlinePlus; Turmeric; May 2011
- AllRecipes.com: Curry Powder
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