Although turmeric is commonly known for its use as a flavoring agent and colorant for curry powders and some mustards, it has also been used medicinally for about 4,000 years. Turmeric continues to be used for a wide variety of ailments including treating bacterial and viral infections, such as those that may cause boils or genital herpes. As with any herb, consult with your doctor before using turmeric for health reasons.
About Herpes
Herpes infections are caused by one of two types of herpes simplex viruses, called herpes simplex -1 and herpes simplex -2. Herpes type 1 usually causes cold sores on the lips, while herpes type 2 is the common cause of genital herpes. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease causing fluid-filled blisters and red bumps in your genital area.
About Boils
A boil is a commonly occurring skin infection that affects an entire hair follicle and the nearby skin. Boils are usually caused by a bacteria, called Staphylococcus aureus, that is found on your skin surface. Boils can occur in hair follicles anywhere on your body, especially your face, neck, armpits and thighs. Topical antibacterial soaps and antibiotics are usually not effective for treating boils, but oral antibiotics may help if you have a more severe infection.
Function
Turmeric contains a substance called curcumin, which is the active compound responsible for the herb's therapeutic benefits. Curcumin is a strong antioxidant and also works to relieve inflammation or swelling by lowering histamine levels and promoting release of natural cortisone from your adrenal glands. Curcumin may initiate activity against a range of infective organisms, including viruses and bacteria. Its antiviral action is theorized to result from blocking certain enzymes inside the viruses, says DrugDigest.org.
Effectiveness
Some people apply turmeric to the skin for infected wounds, such as boils, but there are no human studies to support this effect. Laboratory studies in animals suggest that turmeric may have beneficial effects against genital herpes when applied topically. A study published in "Antiviral Research" in 1999 showed that curcumin provided significant protection against herpes type 2 virus in laboratory mice. However, the antiviral effect of curcumin against herpes simplex viruses has not been tested in human trials.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- PaloAltoMedicalFoundation.org: Turmeric
- American Academy of Dermatology: Herpes Simplex
- National Institutes of Health: Boils
- DrugDigest.org: Turmeric
- "Antiviral Research"; Plant Products as Topical Microbicide Candidates: Assessment of in vitro and in vivo Activity Against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2; KZ Bourne, et al.; Jul 1999
