Tumeric

Common Name: Tumeric
Scientific name: Curcuma longa

Overview

Curcuma longa is a perennial plat that grows from 3 to 5 feet tall. This close relative of ginger grows throughout Southeast Asia. It has dull yellow trumpet shaped flowers. The rhizomes and above ground parts of the plant are boiled, dried and turned into the spice known as turmeric. This spice is the main ingredient in Indian curry powder and is what gives it its yellow color.
Turmeric has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine:

1. As an anti-inflammatory.
2. To treat digestive disorders.
3. To treat liver disorders.
4. As a treatment for skin diseases and to speed wound healing.

Active ingredients

The three main active ingredients in turmeric are known as cucuminoids and they are:

1. Curcumin
2. Bisdemethoxycurcumin
3. Demethoxycurcumin

Benefits

In the 1970’s Indian researchers found preliminary evidence that turmeric possessed anti-inflammatory properties. This anti-inflammatory activity was shown to arise from one of turmeric’s active ingredients, curcumin. Curcumin was found to be a powerful anti oxidant, as powerful as the vitamins C and E. Curcumin has the ability to scavenge free radicals like superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide. Curcumin also prevents the oxidation of LDL (the bad cholesterol) in the endothelium of the cardiovascular system. This oxidation of LDL is the precursor to plaque formation and to cardiovascular disease.

Although turmeric and its active ingredients have been extensively research both in vitro in (in the laboratory) and in vivo (in the body) animal studies, there have been few clinical trials in humans. These studies have produced very interesting results and clinical trials are beginning.

The curcuminoids have been:

1. Used in the treatment of gallbladder and liver disease. Turmeric has been approved by the German E commission. Animal studies have shown that curcuminoids increased the flow of bile, reduced the secretion of digestive acids, and protected the intestinal walls against stress from medications and excess alcohol consumption.
2. Shown to reduce the pain and disability of osteoarthritis. A study of people using an traditional Indian formula of herbs including turmeric, Boswellia, and zinc significantly reduced these symptoms of osteoarthritis.
3. Shown to prevent atherosclerosis. In animal studies, the active ingredients in turmeric lowered not only cholesterol levels but stopped the formation of atherosclerosis plaques from the oxidation of LDL. They may also help in preventing platelets from sticking to the walls of the blood vessels. When platelets stick to the walls of blood vessels, small clots form leading to blockage of blood flow to and from the heart.
4. Shown turmeric potential as a treatment for cancer. Many laboratory and animal studies have shown that curcumin has the potential to treat various forms of cancer. This includes prostate, breast, skin and colon cancers.
   
   
   • Clinical trials have begun in humans and are in Phase I.
   • A Phase I trial of people with advanced colorectal cancer were given 3.6gms per day of curcumin for 4 months. Curcumin was found to be concentrated in the malignant tissue. Phase II clinical trials are now underway on patients with advanced pancreatic cancer as well as colorectal cancer.
   • Shown that the curcuminoids are an effective treatment for both bacterial and yeast infections of the skin.
5. Shown promise in the treatment of HIV. Curcumin has modest anti-HIV activity, working as a protease inhibitor.
6. Shown the ability to reduce the damage done to the intestinal tract by intestinal parasites.
7. Shown that turmeric speeds the healing of wounds. This ability was even seen in the wounds caused by poor circulation seen in diabetics.
8. Been effective in the treatment of uveitis (inflammation of one of the layers in the eye). In a study of 32 people suggests that turmeric has the potential to be as affective as the corticosteroids usually prescribed with out the dangerous side effects
9. Again animal studies have shown that the curcuminoids can protect the liver from toxic substances such as carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen (Tylenol). The curcuminoids do this by binding to these toxins so they can be removed from the body.
10. In animal models, injected curcuminoids where found to cross the blood brain barrier. It was also shown to inhibit the formation of the amyloid plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques are responsible for the mental deterioration characteristic of this disease. Because of the promising result in animal studies. Human clinical trials are now underway.

Recommended Dosage:

Pediatric

Although, turmeric may be helpful in the treatment of inflammation in children, the appropriate dosage has not been determined. The use of turmeric in children should only be done under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner.

Adult

The following are doses recommended for adults:

1. Cut root: 1,500 to 3,000 mg per day
2. Dried, powdered root: 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day
3. Standardized powder (curcumin): 400 to 600 mg, 3 times per day
4. Fluid extract (1:1) 30 to 90 drops a day
5. Tincture (1:2): 15 to 30 drops, 4 times per day

Contra-indications

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding do not need to avoid turmeric in food. They should consult a health care provider before using turmeric or the curcuminoids it contains in a therapeutic manner.

Interactions

1. Turmeric and curcumin are generally regarded as safe.


2. At therapeutic levels gastrointestinal upset are the most common symptoms,

however at very high doses turmeric has been know to cause ulcers.

1. Turmeric or curcumin should not be taken by people suffering from gallstones or obstruction of the bile ducts.
2. You should not use turmeric or curcumin of you are taking blood-thinning medication.
3. Turmeric has shown to be helpful in preventing the stomach irritation that accompanies taking NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen that are often prescribed to relieve pain and inflammations.
4. In animal studies, turmeric protected the digestive tract from increased gastric secretions caused by the drug reserpine taken for high blood pressure.

Web References

1. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/cur_0087.shtml
2. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Turmericch.html
3. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/

Printed Reference Material

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