Turmeric

Introduction

Many people are familiar with turmeric as a traditional Middle_Eastern spice, but few know of its medicinal virtues. Turmeric, otherwise knowns as Circuma longa, is a member of the ginger family, Zingaberaceae. The latin name is derived from the Persian word, "kirkum" which means "saffron", in reference to the rhizome's vibrant yellow-orange color. It is indigenous to Southeast Asia, but has long been used and cultivated throughout India.

What It Is Used For

Turmeric is a natural antioxidant, and thus protects the body from oxidative damage. Laboratory studies have found that tumeric inhibits the development of cataracts, breast cancer, colon cancer, and lymphoma. In one study, smokers that took just 1 teaspoon of tumeric a day for 30 days had lower levels of cancer-causing mutagens. In another study, just 500 milligrams of curcumin each day significantly reduced participants' cholesterol levels in as little as 10 days. Some studies indicate that turmeric's ability to lower cholesterol may provide the same heart-protective benefits as its close relative ginger, including blood clot prevention and reduced blood pressure.
Turmeric helps detoxify the body, and protects the liver from the damaging effects of alcohol, toxic chemicals, and even some pharmaceutical drugs. Turmeric stimulates the production of bile, which is needed to digest fat. Turmeric also guards the stomach by killing salmonella bacteria and protozoa that can cause diarrhea.

How It Is Used

Turmeric is available in the familiar powder form used in cooking, as well as commercial capsules and tinctures. The usual dosage is 445 milligrams in capsules or 1 teaspoon of extract three times a day, or 1 teaspoon of tumeric powder in warm milk as a digestive aid. Curcumin supplements are also available, and are more effective for treatment of arthritis.

What the Science Says

Western medicine only recently began to study turmeric. However, this spice has long been used in Indian ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to treat infection, gallbladder problems, dysentery, arthritis, and liver disorders. Several studies performed by Indian scientists have supported many of tumeric's traditional use to fight inflammation, indigestion, and liver and heart disease.
Turmeric contains curcumin and curcuminoids, which are powerful anti-inflammatory phytochemicals that act as natural cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in the body, and inhibit the production of the prostaglandins that cause inflammation and swelling. Indian researchers found that tumeric relieved joint pain and swelling in people with arthritis as well as prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without side effects such as abdominal bleeding or stomach upset.
The Indian scientists in their latest research report shows that curcumin blocks a key biological pathway which induces the development of diabetic retinopathy, an eye complication among diabetics that leads to blindness if left untreated.

Side Effects and Cautions

The benefits of turmeric have been enjoyed in its use as an ingredient in food for hundreds of years and has not shown ill effects when consumed in moderate quantities. Many people of the world eat curry based meals every day that containins turmeric and curcumin. Studies are finding that these people have lower incidence of some cancers.

Turmeric is on the FDA's generally recognized as safe (GRAS) list and is considered a safe health food when recommended doses are not exceeded. As with any supplement, always read and follow label directions.
However doctors advise that turmeric extract be avoided by anyone with gallstones except under doctor supervision, and it should not be taken women who are pregnant.