Herbs & Supplements

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Uses

Note: Because turmeric may not be well absorbed from the intestines, many animal and human studies have used injected forms of turmeric or chemicals derived from it to achieve effective blood levels of its active components. While they may be commercially available in other parts of the world, injectable forms of turmeric are not sold in the United States.

Turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, so it may be used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Inflammation, one of the body's responses to irritation, injury, or infection, has been associated with many conditions, such as arthritis. It usually includes pain, redness, and swelling in the area of the damage and it can occur within body tissues as well as on the surface of the skin. In recent studies, curcumin (also known as diferuloylmethane)--one of the active chemicals contained in turmeric--has been found to limit the activity of several chemicals including two enzymes, lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), that are involved in promoting and maintaining inflammation. By reducing the effects of these enzymes, curcumin may also reduce inflammation and the pain associated with it.

Curcumin is also in very early stages of study for possible use in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease. Some researchers believe that inflammation in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. In laboratory and animal studies, chemicals in turmeric have appeared to affect several of the pathways that are thought to cause accumulation of the proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. A small cohort study of Asian individuals between 60 years old and 93 years old found less cognitive disability in those who regularly ate foods containing turmeric. Cognition is the ability to think, learn, understand, imagine, reason, and remember.

In promising but very early results from laboratory, animal, and human studies, curcumin has kept several kinds of cancers from starting, growing, or spreading. Curcumin may speed up the rate at which certain kinds of cancer cells die by damaging cancer cell DNA. It may disrupt the formation of microtubules to interfere with cancer cell division, and it may also prevent the growth of blood vessels that support tumor growth. Since it is not well absorbed from the intestines, turmeric may reach high enough levels to be especially active for cancers of the colon and other intestinal conditions, such as Crohn's disease. Additionally, in a few preliminary laboratory studies of human cancer cells, curcumin has shown possible ability to make cancer cells more susceptible to radiation therapy. It may increase the anticancer effects of certain medications, as well.

Turmeric is known to be a strong antioxidant, a substance thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation. The chemical breakdown of foods into components the body can use, oxidation also produces by-products. Known as oxygen free radicals, some by-products of oxidation may suppress immune function and cause tissue damage. In addition to their anticancer effects, antioxidants in turmeric may protect the brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs from damage by alcohol, drugs, radiation, heavy metals such as lead, or chemicals such as dry cleaning fluid. Some laboratory research seems to show that curcumin may also help to lessen some of the complications of cancer, particularly a reduction in the amount of bone in the body. All of these effects need further study, however, before curcumin or turmeric may be recommended for anticancer therapy.

When turmeric was given to laboratory animals with diabetes, both blood sugar levels and blood cholesterol levels showed general decreases. One theory of its possible blood-sugar lowering effect is that turmeric makes red blood cells use more blood sugar. An apparent blocking of enzymes that convert dietary carbohydrates into sugar may also be involved in lowered blood sugar. Turmeric's anti-oxidant effects may also lessen the complications of diabetes, such as kidney damage and retinal injuries. Lowered cholesterol levels may be due to accelerated cholesterol breakdown and/or decreased cholesterol absorption prompted by turmeric. The body's use of cholesterol may also be increased by the ability of turmeric to promote the production of bile. Because cholesterol is a major component of bile, more cholesterol may be used to replace depleted bile supplies. These additional potential effects of turmeric are undergoing more study.

Traditionally, turmeric has been taken orally as a remedy for bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. Although study results conflict, recent early research under laboratory conditions may show potential for curcumin in treating some types of the hereditary condition, cystic fibrosis. Typically, the thick, gummy mucus produced by individuals with cystic fibrosis stays in the lungs, where it contributes to bacterial infections and lung damage. Curcumin and other chemicals in turmeric may promote mucus production, thereby making mucus thinner and possibly easier to eliminate from the body. In addition, curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties may help to relieve lung congestion caused by inflammation. However, prescription and over-the-counter drugs may be more effective for relieving general congestion.

In laboratory and animal studies, turmeric has had activity against a wide range of infective organisms. In one study, it was the most effective of 25 herbal products in killing H. pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. It may also keep H. pylori from sticking to the stomach wall. Chemicals in turmeric have shown antifungal effects as well as activity against intestinal parasites such as Giardia lamblia. Turmeric may also be antiviral--possibly by blocking the activity of certain enzymes. Although it has been tested in laboratory studies on HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, results are not conclusive. Whether turmeric may be practical for human use against any infective agents remains to be proved.

Topically, turmeric may be used as a powder or mixed with oil and made into a paste to treat cuts, scrapes, and skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, diaper rash, and psoriasis. Its anti-inflammatory properties may reduce inflammation and its possible anti-infective properties may help to prevent infection of skin injuries. In animal studies, applying it may have helped cuts in radiation-damaged skin heal faster and more completely. Topical turmeric generally leaves a yellow color where it is applied to the skin.