Turmeric, a medicinal herb related to ginger, has been used for centuries as a treatment for dozens of common ailments, including digestive problems and inflammation. Naturopathic practitioners increasingly recommend turmeric as a safe, nontoxic treatment option for people with chronic digestive diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. If you are interested in using turmeric to treat a digestive disorder, consult your health care provider for advice regarding dosage, benefits and possible drug interactions.
Bile Production
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), turmeric stimulates the production of bile, which may help to improve digestion.
Gas and Bloating
Turmeric is traditionally believed to have carminative effects; it may help to reduce the size of gas bubbles in the colon, making them less painful and easier to pass. UMMC reports that turmeric reduces gas and bloating associated with indigestion.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), notes that turmeric root may help to treat irritable bowel syndrome. However, some early studies have failed to find it more effective than placebo; NIH states that further research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
UMMC reports that turmeric increases the length of remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease. Turmeric is also used as a complementary treatment for Crohn's disease, a related condition.
Stomach Ulcer
In Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine originating in India, turmeric has been used to treat stomach ulcers. However, UMMC and the National Institutes of Health both question turmeric's efficacy as a treatment for ulcers. Turmeric may increase stomach acid, causing more serious symptoms.
Heartburn
Preliminary evidence suggests that turmeric may help to treat heartburn and acid reflux. The National Institutes of Health advise patients to avoid taking turmeric as a long-term treatment for heartburn, since it may worsen the condition over time.
