Turmeric
OTHER NAME(S): Curcuma, Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma domestica, Curcumae longa, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Curcumin, Curcumine, Curcuminoid, Curcuminoids, Halada, Haldi, Haridra, Indian Saffron, Nisha, Pian Jiang Huang, Racine de Curcuma, Radix Curcumae, Rajani, Rhizoma Cucurmae Longae, Safran Bourbon, Safran de Batallita, Safran des Indes, Turmeric Root, Yu Jin.
Description
Turmeric is a popular spice derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It contains curcumin, a chemical that may help reduce swelling.
Turmeric has a warm, bitter flavor that is commonly used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. Because curcumin and other chemicals reduce swelling, it is frequently used to treat pain and inflammation.
Turmeric is commonly used to treat osteoarthritis. It is also used to treat hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, a type of liver disease, and itching, but there is little scientific evidence to back up the majority of these claims. There is also no convincing evidence to support the use of turmeric for COVID-19.
Uses
Turmeric has been traditionally used to treat:
Hay fever. Taking turmeric by mouth seems to reduce hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion.
Depression. Most research shows that taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth reduces depression symptoms in people already using an antidepressant.
High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking turmeric by mouth seems to lower levels of blood fats called triglycerides. But the effects of turmeric on cholesterol levels are conflicting. Also, there are many different turmeric products available. It is not known which ones work best.
Buildup of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Taking turmeric extract by mouth reduces markers of liver injury in people who have this condition. It also seems to help prevent the build-up of more fat in the liver.
Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis). Taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth, or as a lozenge or mouthwash, seems to prevent swelling and sores in the mouth during radiation treatment for cancer.
Side Effects
Turmeric is quite safe to use if ingested short-term. Turmeric products that provide up to 8 grams of curcumin daily seem to be safe when used for up to 2 months, Also, taking up to 3 grams of turmeric daily seems to be safe when used for up to 3 months. Turmeric usually doesn't cause serious side effects however some may experience mild side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. These side effects are more common at higher doses.
Turmeric is also safe to be applied on skin and used as an enema
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Sources
Chakraborty A, Mahajan S, Jaiswal SK, et al. Genome sequencing of turmeric provides evolutionary insights into its medicinal properties. Communications Biololgy 2021; 4, 1193. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02720-y.
Turmeric - Uses, Side Effects, and More [Internet]. WebMD. [cited 2022 Jul 22]; Available from: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric
Vollono L, Falconi M, Gaziano R, et al. Potential of curcumin in skin disorders. Nutrients 2019;11(9):2169. doi: 10.3390/nu11092169. PMID: 31509968; PMCID: PMC6770633.