Turmeric comes from the dried, ground root of the turmeric plant. Its orange-yellow color brightens the appearance of curry powder. A favorite flavoring in Southeast Asia, it is also used medicinally in the time-honored medical system of India, Ayurveda. Scientific research suggests that turmeric can benefit common menopausal symptoms such as headache, depression and vaginal dryness. Before adding turmeric to your regimen, speak with your physician.
Plant Estrogen
Curcumin is the therapeutic constituent of turmeric. Laboratory research has uncovered a potent phytoestrogen called diarylheptanoid in curcumin, according to Susan Lark, M.D. Phytoestrogens are plant chemicals that act like the hormone estrogen in the body. Lark writes that diarylheptanoid binds to estrogen receptors, causing advantages similar to estrogen. If you are experiencing symptoms such as vaginal dryness, curcumin may be of assistance.
Pain Relief
Headaches, cramps and other painful symptoms may bother you during menopause. Turmeric has analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties, according to Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D., professor of cancer research and biochemistry at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and author of the 2011 book "Healing Spices." He discusses a clinical study in which 45 postsurgical patients took either curcumin, an anti-inflammatory medication or a placebo. Those patients who took curcumin had good results, with none of the side effects of medication.
Depression
Mood swings are common feature of menopause and are probably related to hormonal fluctuations, according registered herbalist Amanda McQuade Crawford in "The Natural Menopause Book." Research on mice with depression-like behavior revealed that curcumin raised the animals' serotonin and dopamine levels. Reduced levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin are often found in depression. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a substance that works within a complex physiological system to influence sleep, moods and emotions. Speak to your qualified health professional if you are experiencing depression or other mood disorders.
Dosage and Cautions
While using turmeric in the kitchen is a healthy choice, you will probably need a higher dosage to reap its therapeutic benefits. Lark recommends taking 1,000 mg of curcumin each day with food. Turmeric can interact in negative ways with certain medications, including blood thinners, aspirin and antacids. Turmeric may also lower blood glucose levels. Diabetics should discuss turmeric with a qualified health professional before taking the spice medicinally.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Possible Interactions with Turmeric
- Dr. Susan Lark: Spice It Up for Menopause
- "Journal of Psychopharmacology"; The Serotonin Transporter: A Primary Target for Antidepressant Drugs; P. Schloss, et al.; January 1998
- "Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices"; Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D.; 2011
- "The Natural Menopause Handbook"; Amanda McQuade Crawford; 2009
