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Turmeric describes the perennial herb in the ginger family, Curcuma longa.
Turmeric contains sugars, resins, proteins, and volatile oils including turmerone, atlantone, zingiberone; as well as the compound curcumin.
Source
Native to Asia, turmeric plant is cultivated in India, China, and Indonesia. The bright yellow root, used as a dye and food-coloring agent (especially curry), is the part used medicinally.
Function
Curcumin is the best-studied component of turmeric. Turmeric (curcumin) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, platelet aggregation inhibition, hepatoprotective, carminative, and antimicrobial activities.
Curcumin has been shown to inhibit leukotriene (major inflammatory mediators) formation, inhibit platelet aggregation, inhibit neutrophil responses under certain conditions, and stabilize lysosomal membranes. These activities have made curcumin one of the most useful anti-inflammatory agents in nature. Curcumin interacts with the adrenal glands in a way that allows the body to spare cortisol, one of the body's own inflammation control mechanisms.
Directions
Curcumin, as an anti-inflammatory agent, should be taken at a dose of about 400mg or more, three times a day. The absorption of curcumin can be enhanced by concomitant ingestion of bromelain.
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Turmeric can help with the following: | | | | | Organ Health |  Hepatitis | 250 to 500mg three times daily. Combine with Bromelain (250 to 500mg three times per day between meals) to enhance its effects. |
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Tumors, Malignant |
Cancer, General| | Curcumin, the ingredient that gives turmeric its yellow color and one of the best studied of the natural COX-2 inhibitors, has been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in animals. Dr. Chintalapally V. Rao, a scientist with the American Health Foundation in Valhalla, New York, has conducted extensive animal studies with curcumin and notes that while the new drugs "undermine the activity of the COX-2 enzyme, curcumin completely blocks formation of the enzyme itself."
The intriguing evidence of curcumin’s anticancer effects in animal studies has prompted a clinical trial of the compound. Dr. Steven Schiff at Rockefeller University in New York is assessing whether curcumin supplements (250 mg twice a day) can inhibit the development of colon cancer in humans. |
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KEY | | May do some good |
GLOSSARY
Adrenal (Adrenal Gland, Adrenal Glands, Adrenals)
The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney and consist of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. Of the 50 or so hormones the adrenals make, only cortisone and adrenaline are recognized by most people. Some of these hormones must be produced to preserve life, while others help resist stress. Other hormones from the adrenals control normal energy output (along with the thyroid) and govern the breakdown of stored energy into quick energy sources. The medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are specifically designed to help the body deal with stressful situations. The adrenals control the body's potassium/sodium balance, which is vital for energy production. They also produce sex hormones in minute amounts, which is important for later years when the gonads drop or cease their production.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Antimicrobial
Tending to destroy microbes, hinder their multiplication or growth.
Antioxidant (Antioxidants)
A chemical compound that slows or prevents oxygen from reacting with other compounds. Some antioxidants have been shown to have cancer-protecting potential because they neutralize free radicals. Examples include vitamins C and E, beta carotene, the minerals selenium and germanium, superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q10, catalase, and some amino acids.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Carminative
Agent relieving flatulence or gas.
Colon (Colonic)
The part of the large intestine that extends to the rectum. The colon takes the contents of the small intestine, moving them to the rectum by contracting.
Cortisol
A hormone. Its most important function is to help the body respond to stress. It also helps regulate your body's use of protein, carbohydrates and fat; it helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function; it stems inflammation.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Mediator (Mediate, Mediates, Mediators)
A substance or structure that helps bring about a specific response in a bodily tissue.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Neutrophils (Neutrophil)
Another name for polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the most common type of blood-carried white blood cell, and the first mobile resistance cell to come to the rescue in injury.
Platelet Aggregation
Platelets are the small, rather uniform fragments of large bone marrow cells that aid the blood in coagulation, hemostasis, inflammation, and thrombus formation. Mild subclotting and sticking is a common early condition that can lead to thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and strokes, and can be helped by an aspirin a day, better fat digestion, and Ceanothus.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Last updated: Jul 12, 2008
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