The Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is a commonly used spice around the world, especially in Asia. It is produced by the roots of the turmeric plant. It is available in almost every kitchen in Asia. Curcumin is the main pigment found in turmeric. This natural product has been investigated extensively to know the possible implications (Priyadarsini, 2014). Turmeric is being used for centuries in Asian cuisine, ayurvedic medicine, Chinese traditional medicine, and for other industrial purposes. Lets talk about the benefits of turmeric in this article.

Uses of Turmeric

Plenty of research has been done to validate scientifically the usage of turmeric over centuries. The following are a few applications of turmeric backed by research.

Traditional Medicinal Use

The use of turmeric as medicine in Asia is not new. It has been part of every house. The Curcumin found in turmeric has shown many medicinal properties. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

Inflammation is a process by which our body fights against invading pathogens. This is the response of the body in almost all diseases. This process produces pain and swelling in the affected area. The goal of the anti-inflammatory drugs is to reduce these two by-products of inflammation.

• Curcumin has proven to be a strong anti-inflammatory product. Studies suggest that it can be used for inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, arthritis, and chronic anterior uveitis, as well as certain types of cancer (Jurenka, 2009).

• It has shown promising and safe results, also proven its action on inflammation producing molecules (Chainani-Wu, 2003).

Anti- Oxidant Properties

The nasty effect of free radicals on the cell is a well-known phenomenon.

• Free Radicals can damage cellular DNA, proteins, cell membrane and can affect the body in various harmful ways (Wu & Cederbaum, 2003).
• Curcumin is a strong anti-oxidant and neutralizes the effect of free radicals in the body. It has shown increased resistance to cellular oxidative damage (Motterlini, Foresti, Bassi, & Green, 2000).

Benefits of Turmeric in Anti- Microbial Effect

Followings show how turmeric benefits in anti microbial effect:

• Turmeric has shown its effectiveness against many microbes.
• It acts as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and against the cultures of parasites.
• In an experimental study in guinea pigs, turmeric oil was applied to ringworm lesions on the skin surface for 7 days. The condition improved 2 to 5 days after the application (Apisariyakul, Vanittanakom, & Buddhasukh, 1995).
• Curcumin has also found to be active against some protozoans like Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania major (Rasmussen, Christensen, Kvist, & Karazmi, 2000).

Anti-Diabetic Properties

A Strong link of oxidative damage and increased blood sugar has been found. A study conducted in rats has suggested that turmeric is somewhat benefits in the reduction of blood sugar (Arun & Nalini, 2002).Another study has found that Curcumin is beneficial in galactose induced cataract in rats (Suryanarayana, Krishnaswamy, & Reddy, 2003).

Benefits of Turmeric in Anti-Cancer Effect

The effect of turmeric as an anti-mutation remedy has been extensively researched. It has been found acting against a mutation in many studies. It has shown to reduce the metastatic activity of melanoma increasing the life span of the patients (Menon, Kuttan, & Kuttan, 1999).

Another study found the anti-carcinogenic properties of the turmeric in breast cancer. Studies pointed towards the growth inhibitory effect of Curcumin on the breast cancer cells. It suggested that turmeric can be a potential anti-proliferative natural remedy with strong anti-cancer properties (上地俊徳 et al., 1994).

Benefits of turmeric in Cardiovascular Diseases

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death around the world (Davidson & Warren-Gash, 2019). The burden on the health care system for cardiovascular disease is overwhelming. With changing and lazy lifestyles, these diseases will be on the rise. The role of endothelial damage related to heart disease is a well-established fact. Studies have found that Curcumin has a beneficial effect on endothelial cells (Ramırez-Tortosa et al., 1999).

Anti-platelet aggregation is one of the desired goals of treating cardiovascular diseases. Multiple drugs are given to achieve this function. A study has found the anti-platelet aggregation properties of Curcumin as it interferes with the formation of thromboxane, a vital compound for platelet aggregation (Nobuhiko et al., 2012).Furthermore, Turmeric prevents cardiovascular disease by;

• Lowering blood cholesterol
• Lowering Triglycerides
• Decreasing the effect of low-density lipids (LDL)

Benefits of Turmeric in Improving Liver Function

Turmeric has shown to prevent the liver from many harmful compounds. This effect of turmeric is mainly due to its anti-oxidant properties and lowering the production of inflammatory molecules. A study has discussed the possible prevention of cholelithiasis by a product of Curcumin (Ramprasad, 1957).

Effect on Joint Diseases – Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful condition of joints. It is mainly due to inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help to reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis.

• Rheumatoid arthritis is a little different type of arthritis. A study says that Curcumin is also beneficial in the reduction of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients (Chandran & Goel, 2012).
• Another study investigated the effect of turmeric with soy-phosphatidylcholine on osteoarthritis, a common form of arthritis and produced the evidence of the improved function of joint with less inflammation (Belcaro et al., 2010).

Benefits of Turmeric in Management of Depression

The treatment of depression has always posed a challenge to the psychiatrist. A study investigated the use of turmeric with the use of a well-known drug and found out that it had similar effects as that drug. The group that benefited the most was using both the drug and the turmeric (Sanmukhani et al., 2014).

Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer disease is a neurological disorder leading to dementia and decreased function of the individual. It is caused by the degeneration of neurons in the brain. This also one of the well known benefits of turmeric in day to day world.

A study has shown Curcumin effect on the number of possible causes of Alzheimer’s disease and discussed the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effect, and effect on Beta-Amyloid Plaques by Curcumin. All these pointed towards the beneficial effect of Curcumin in Alzheimer’s disease but this should be investigated further (Mishra & Palanivelu, 2008).

Anti-Ageing Effect

Who doesn’t want to look young? anti-ageing products are of high demand these days and it’s a billion-dollar industry. If a home remedy is helping in the anti-ageing effect, this can be of great help.

Various studies have related the Curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the ageing process, there fore these studies have found the positive effect of Curcumin in the delay of ageing (Cusi et al., 2010).

Benefits of Turmeric in Dental Use

There are various uses of turmeric resolving multiple dental problems

Dental Pain: Anti-inflammatory action of turmeric has a relieving effect on dental pain. It eliminates swelling and other signs of inflammation (Sikora, Bielak-Zmijewska, Mosieniak, & Piwocka, 2010)

Mouth Wash: A study compared the use of chlorhexidine with the use of turmeric mouth wash. Chlorhexidine is a commonly used mouth wash frequently advised by dentists all around the world. It was found that the plaque cleaning effect of both was comparable (Cikrikci, Mozioglu, & Yilmaz, 2008).

Pit and Fissure sealant: The deep parts on molars and premolar teeth are called pit and fissure. These are the retentive sites for the bacteria to colonize. The bacteria then invade the tooth structure by acid production and the tooth become carious. Pits and fissure sealant seal this area eliminating the retentive sites for microbes preventing caries at the first place.

Turmeric has been used along with other resins in the composition of pits and fissure sealants (Waghmare, Chaudhari, Karhadkar, & Jamkhande, 2011).

Periodontal problems: The periodontal tissue surrounds the teeth and is the main tissue responsible for the retention of teeth in the jaw bone. Any disease process that leads to inflammation of periodontal tissue may ultimately result in the loss of teeth. 

• Topical Application of the turmeric paste made of salt, turmeric and mustard oil has shown great results in improving periodontal health (Nagpal & Sood, 2013).
• Oral Pre-cancerous lesions: Oral sub-mucous fibrosis is a disease of the oral cavity that can convert to oral cancer. It occurs mainly due to betel nut chewing and is relatively common in the sub-continent (Cox & Walker, 1996).
• Turmeric oil has shown improvement in conditions like oral sub-mucous fibrosis. The burning sensation and pain were relieved in the patients (Das, Balan, & Sreelatha, 2010).

Gastric Uses

This also one of the main benefits of turmeric. Gastric Ulcers are a relatively common problem and affect several people. It causes stomach pain, irritation, and other discomforts.

A study of 25 patients with gastric ulcers was conducted. They were given 600 mg turmeric powder 5 times a day. Ulcers healed in 48 % of patients after 4 weeks which rose to 76 % after 12 weeks (Prucksunand, Indrasukhsri, Leethochawalit, & Hungspreugs, 2001).

Usage in Cuisine

Asian, especially Indian cuisine isn’t complete without the use of turmeric. You name the popular dish, and the turmeric is the part of that. Some popular examples are chicken tikka, butter chicken, chicken biryani, chicken karahi, and many uncountable more.

Conclusion

Turmeric is a cheap, easily available, non- toxic, and greatly beneficial herb that can be part of every kitchen around the world. It has shown beneficial effects on conditions like Inflammation, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Cancers, and various other diseases. The therapeutic effects with almost negligible side effects make it a must household remedy for various problems.

References 01

Apisariyakul, A., Vanittanakom, N., & Buddhasukh, D. (1995). Antifungal activity of turmeric oil extracted from Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae). Journal of ethnopharmacology, 49(3), 163-169.

Arun, N., & Nalini, N. (2002). Efficacy of turmeric on blood sugar and polyol pathway in diabetic albino rats. Plant foods for human nutrition, 57(1), 41-52.

Belcaro, G., Cesarone, M., Dugall, M., Pellegrini, L., Ledda, A., Grossi, M., . . . Appendino, G. (2010). Product-evaluation registry of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, for the complementary management of osteoarthritis. Panminerva Med, 52(2 Suppl 1), 55-62.

Reference 02

Chainani-Wu, N. (2003). Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric (Curcuma longa). The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 9(1), 161-168.

Chandran, B., & Goel, A. (2012). A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Phytotherapy research, 26(11), 1719-1725.

Cikrikci, S., Mozioglu, E., & Yilmaz, H. (2008). Biological activity of curcuminoids isolated from Curcuma longa. Records of Natural Products, 2(1), 19.

Cox, S., & Walker, D. (1996). Oral submucous fibrosis. A review. Australian dental journal, 41(5), 294-299.

Reference 03

Cusi, M. G., Martorelli, B., Di Genova, G., Terrosi, C., Campoccia, G., & Correale, P. (2010). Age related changes in T cell mediated immune response and effector memory to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in healthy subjects. Immunity & Ageing, 7(1), 14.

Das, D. A., Balan, A., & Sreelatha, K. (2010). Comparative study of the efficacy of curcumin and turmeric oil as chemopreventive agents in oral submucous fibrosis: A clinical and histopathological evaluation. Journal of indian academy of oral medicine and radiology, 22(2), 88.

Davidson, J. A., & Warren-Gash, C. (2019). Cardiovascular complications of acute respiratory infections: current research and future directions. In: Taylor & Francis.

Jurenka, J. S. (2009). Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research. Alternative medicine review, 14(2).

Reference 04

Menon, L. G., Kuttan, R., & Kuttan, G. (1999). Anti-metastatic activity of curcumin and catechin. Cancer letters, 141(1-2), 159-165.

Mishra, S., & Palanivelu, K. (2008). The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer’s disease: An overview. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 11(1), 13.

Motterlini, R., Foresti, R., Bassi, R., & Green, C. J. (2000). Curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, induces heme oxygenase-1 and protects endothelial cells against oxidative stress. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 28(8), 1303-1312.

Nagpal, M., & Sood, S. (2013). Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: An overview. Journal of natural science, biology, and medicine, 4(1), 3.

Reference 05

Nobuhiko, A., Youngju, C., Asako, M., Yoko, T., Jun, S., Ryuichi, A., & Seiji, M. (2012). Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women.

Priyadarsini, K. I. (2014). The chemistry of curcumin: from extraction to therapeutic agent. Molecules, 19(12), 20091-20112.

Apisariyakul, A., Vanittanakom, N., & Buddhasukh, D. (1995). Antifungal activity of turmeric oil extracted from Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae). Journal of ethnopharmacology, 49(3), 163-169.

Arun, N., & Nalini, N. (2002). Efficacy of turmeric on blood sugar and polyol pathway in diabetic albino rats. Plant foods for human nutrition, 57(1), 41-52.

Belcaro, G., Cesarone, M., Dugall, M., Pellegrini, L., Ledda, A., Grossi, M., . . . Appendino, G. (2010). Product-evaluation registry of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, for the complementary management of osteoarthritis. Panminerva Med, 52(2 Suppl 1), 55-62.

Reference 06

Chainani-Wu, N. (2003). Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric (Curcuma longa). The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 9(1), 161-168.

Chandran, B., & Goel, A. (2012). A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Phytotherapy research, 26(11), 1719-1725.

Cikrikci, S., Mozioglu, E., & Yilmaz, H. (2008). Biological activity of curcuminoids isolated from Curcuma longa. Records of Natural Products, 2(1), 19.

Cox, S., & Walker, D. (1996). Oral submucous fibrosis. A review. Australian dental journal, 41(5), 294-299.

Cusi, M. G., Martorelli, B., Di Genova, G., Terrosi, C., Campoccia, G., & Correale, P. (2010). Age related changes in T cell mediated immune response and effector memory to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in healthy subjects. Immunity & Ageing, 7(1), 14.

Das, D. A., Balan, A., & Sreelatha, K. (2010). Comparative study of the efficacy of curcumin and turmeric oil as chemopreventive agents in oral submucous fibrosis: A clinical and histopathological evaluation. Journal of indian academy of oral medicine and radiology, 22(2), 88.

Reference 07

Davidson, J. A., & Warren-Gash, C. (2019). Cardiovascular complications of acute respiratory infections: current research and future directions. In: Taylor & Francis.

Jurenka, J. S. (2009). Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research. Alternative medicine review, 14(2).

Menon, L. G., Kuttan, R., & Kuttan, G. (1999). Anti-metastatic activity of curcumin and catechin. Cancer letters, 141(1-2), 159-165.

Mishra, S., & Palanivelu, K. (2008). The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer’s disease: An overview. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 11(1), 13.

Motterlini, R., Foresti, R., Bassi, R., & Green, C. J. (2000). Curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, induces heme oxygenase-1 and protects endothelial cells against oxidative stress. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 28(8), 1303-1312.

Nagpal, M., & Sood, S. (2013). Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: An overview. Journal of natural science, biology, and medicine, 4(1), 3.

Nobuhiko, A., Youngju, C., Asako, M., Yoko, T., Jun, S., Ryuichi, A., & Seiji, M. (2012). Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women.

Priyadarsini, K. I. (2014). The chemistry of curcumin: from extraction to therapeutic agent. Molecules, 19(12), 20091-20112.

Prucksunand, C., Indrasukhsri, B., Leethochawalit, M., & Hungspreugs, K. (2001). Phase II clinical trial on effect of the long turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) on healing of peptic ulcer. Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health, 32(1), 208-215.

Reference 08

Ramırez-Tortosa, M., Mesa, M., Aguilera, M., Quiles, J., Baro, L., Ramirez-Tortosa, C., . . . Gil, A. (1999). Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits LDL oxidation and has hypocholesterolemic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, 147(2), 371-378.

Ramprasad, C. (1957). Curcuma logna and bile secretion-Quantitative changes in the bile constituents induced by sodium curcuminate. J. Sci. Industr. Res., 16, 108-110.

Rasmussen, H. B., Christensen, S. B., Kvist, L. P., & Karazmi, A. (2000). A simple and efficient separation of the curcumins, the antiprotozoal constituents of Curcuma longa. Planta medica, 66(04), 396-398.

Sanmukhani, J., Satodia, V., Trivedi, J., Patel, T., Tiwari, D., Panchal, B., . . . Tripathi, C. B. (2014). Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Phytotherapy research, 28(4), 579-585.

Sikora, E., Bielak-Zmijewska, A., Mosieniak, G., & Piwocka, K. (2010). The promise of slow down ageing may come from curcumin. Current pharmaceutical design, 16(7), 884-892.

Suryanarayana, P., Krishnaswamy, K., & Reddy, G. B. (2003). Effect of curcumin on galactose-induced cataractogenesis in rats. Mol Vis, 9(9), 223-230.

Waghmare, P., Chaudhari, A., Karhadkar, V., & Jamkhande, A. (2011). Comparative evaluation of turmeric and chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash in prevention of plaque formation and gingivitis: A clinical and microbiological study. J Contemp Dent Pract, 12(4), 221-224.

Wu, D., & Cederbaum, A. I. (2003). Alcohol, oxidative stress, and free radical damage. Alcohol Research & Health, 27(4), 277.

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