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Other common
name(s): jiang huang, haridra, Indian saffron
Scientific/medical
name(s): Curcuma
longa, Curcuma domestica
Description
Turmeric is a spice grown in India and other tropical regions
of Asia. It has a long history of use in herbal remedies, particularly
in China, India, and Indonesia. The root and rootstock, or rhizome, of
the plant contain the active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin is not
related to cumin, which is a spice made from the seeds of a different
plant.
Overview
Turmeric is a common food flavoring and coloring in Asian
cooking. Animal and laboratory studies have found that curcumin, an
antioxidant that is an active ingredient in turmeric, demonstrated some
anticancer effects. However, clinical research is needed to determine
curcumin's role in cancer prevention and treatment in humans. Several
types of cancer cells are inhibited by curcumin in the laboratory, and
curcumin slows the spread of some cancers in some animal studies.
Curcumin is being studied to find out whether it helps other
diseases such as arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and stomach ulcers. It
is also being studied to see whether it can help lower "bad
cholesterol" and improve outcome in kidney transplants. A few early
studies have been done in humans, but more human research is still
needed to find out it curcumin can be effective in these uses.
How is it promoted for use?
Some researchers believe turmeric may prevent and slow the
growth of a number of types of cancer, particularly tumors of the
esophagus, mouth, intestines, stomach, breast, and skin. One researcher
reported that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, inhibited
the formation of cancer-causing enzymes in rodents.
Turmeric is promoted mainly as an anti-inflammatory herbal
remedy and is said to produce fewer side effects than commonly used
pain relievers. Some practitioners prescribe turmeric to relieve
inflammation caused by arthritis, muscle sprains, swelling, and pain
caused by injuries or surgical incisions. It is also promoted as a
treatment for rheumatism and as an antiseptic for cleaning wounds. Some
proponents claim turmeric interferes with the actions of some viruses,
including hepatitis and HIV.
Supporters also claim that turmeric protects against liver
diseases, stimulates the gallbladder and circulatory systems, reduces
cholesterol levels, dissolves blood clots, helps stop external and
internal bleeding, and relieves painful menstruation and angina, chest
pains that often occur with heart disease. It is also used as a remedy
for digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis,
Crohn's disease, and illnesses caused by toxins from parasites and
bacteria.
What does it involve?
Turmeric root is on the Commission E (Germany's regulatory
agency for herbs) list of approved herbs, and it is available in
powdered form as a spice in most grocery stores. It can also be made
into a tea or purchased as a tincture, capsule, or tablet. Ointments or
pastes made from turmeric can be applied to the skin. Although there is
no standardized dose for turmeric, some practitioners recommend taking
a teaspoon with each meal. The dried root of turmeric normally contains
from 3% to 5% curcumin. Today, many sellers market supplements that
claim to be standardized to contain 95% curcumin compounds.
What is the history behind it?
The use of turmeric was described in traditional Chinese and
Indian medicine as early as the seventh century AD. In various Asian
folk medicine traditions, turmeric has been used to treat a long list
of conditions, including diarrhea, fever, bronchitis, colds, parasitic
worms, leprosy, and bladder and kidney inflammations. Herbalists have
applied turmeric salve to bruises, leech bites, festering eye
infections, mouth inflammations, skin conditions, and infected wounds.
Some people inhale smoke from burning turmeric to relieve chronic
coughs. Turmeric mixed with hot water and sugar is considered by some
herbalists to be a remedy for colds.
In India and Malaysia, there is a custom of making turmeric
paste to apply directly onto the skin, a practice now under study for
the possibility that it may prevent skin cancer. The bright red
forehead mark worn by some Hindu women is created by mixing turmeric
with lime juice. Chefs frequently add turmeric to their creations
because of its rich flavor and deep yellow-orange color. The seasoning
is an important ingredient in Indian curries. It is also used to add
color to foods such as butter, margarine, cheese, and mustard; to tint
cotton, silk, paper, wood, and cosmetics; as a food preservative; and
to make pickles.
What is the evidence?
Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, is an antioxidant.
Antioxidants are compounds that can protect the body's cells from
damage caused by activated oxygen molecules known as free radicals.
Laboratory studies have also shown that curcumin interferes with
several important molecular pathways involved in cancer development,
growth, and spread.
Recently, curcumin has received a great deal more attention in
studies than turmeric as a whole herb. Researchers are studying
curcumin to learn whether it is an effective anti-inflammatory agent
and whether it holds any promise for cancer prevention or treatment. A
number of studies of curcumin have shown promising results. Curcumin
can kill cancer cells in laboratory dishes and also reduces growth of
surviving cells. Curcumin also has been found to reduce development of
several forms of cancer in laboratory animals and to shrink animal
tumors.
Human studies of curcumin in cancer prevention and treatment
are in the very early stages. One study of 15 patients with colorectal
cancer was done to find out how much curcumin they could safely take,
and whether they could take a dose large enough to be detected in the
blood. The patients were able to take 3.6 grams of curcumin without
noting ill effects. At this high dose, some curcumin and its products
were found in the blood. Lower doses may work for the stomach and
intestine. Even though it does not absorb well into the body, it has
been shown to absorb into the colon lining and into any cancerous
tissue in the colon. The researchers recommended that the high dose be
used when curcumin is tested for effects outside the intestine. Other
small studies have found people were able to take up to 10 grams per
day for a period of a few weeks without noting problems. Some
researchers are currently working on ways to increase absorption of
curcumin by combining it with other substances. Further clinical trials
are needed to find out what role, if any, turmeric and curcumin may
play in the prevention or treatment of cancer.
Curcumin is being studied to see whether it helps other
diseases as well. One small study of curcumin and another antioxidant
called quercetin
was done in adults who had kidney transplants. Those who took the
combination in high dosages had fewer transplant rejections than those
who received lower doses or placebo. More studies are needed to find
out whether this holds true. Curcumin may also promote the emptying of
the gallbladder, but again, more studies are needed.
Early studies showed promise that curcumin could correct the
problem of cystic fibrosis, but later studies have been inconsistent
and often showed no effect. Curcumin also seemed to help prevent
stomach ulcers in rodents, although there are not good studies in
humans to recommend it for this use.
Early research has suggested that curcumin may help lower
"bad" cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and help with arthritis
symptoms, although more reliable human studies are still needed. Tests
of curcumin in HIV disease have been mixed and have generally not shown
it to be helpful. In studies of mice, curcumin appeared to help with
blocking the plaques and proteins that cause problems in the brain
during Alzheimer's disease.
Although laboratory and animal tests look very promising,
careful study is needed to find out whether curcumin will be useful for
treating these conditions in humans. It is important to remember that
extracted compounds such as curcumin are not the same as the whole
herb, and study results would not be likely to show the same effects.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
When used as a spice in foods, turmeric is considered safe.
More research is needed to establish the safety of turmeric when used
in herbal remedies. Little is known about the potential risks of taking
the larger amounts used to treat illnesses. Taking large amounts by
mouth may result in stomach pain, gas, indigestion, and nausea. Skin
rash and stomach ulcers have been reported after long-term use, and
allergic reactions are possible. People who are allergic to ginger or
yellow food colorings are more likely to be allergic to turmeric.
A recent safety study in humans suggested that curcumin
changes metabolism of oxalate, a substance that can form kidney stones.
The researchers urged caution in use of this supplement by people with
other conditions that make them susceptible to kidney stones.
People taking blood-thinning medications, drugs that suppress
the immune system, or non-steroidal pain relievers (such as ibuprofen)
should avoid turmeric because of the risk of harmful drug interactions.
In animal and laboratory studies, turmeric made certain anti-cancer
drugs less effective. Antioxidant supplements can interfere with the
effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Patients who are
in cancer treatment should talk to their doctor before taking vitamins,
minerals, or other supplements.
In addition, other potential interactions between turmeric and
other drugs and herbs should be considered. Always tell your doctor and
pharmacist about any herbs or supplements you are taking.
People with bleeding disorders, obstructions of the bile duct,
or a history of ulcers also should avoid turmeric. Women who are
pregnant or breast-feeding should not use this herb. The amount of
turmeric found in foods is thought to be safe for those who are not
allergic to it. Applying turmeric to the skin for long periods of time
can cause a yellow discoloration of the skin that may be difficult to
remove.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
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Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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