5/6/07
Turmeric - Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Side Effects, Dosage
Author: Steve Mathew
Turmeric
Turmeric is the root (or rhizome) of the Asian plant, Curcuma longa or C. domestica (red valerian, haldi, jiang huang). When the roots are ground up, they yield a yellowish powder that resembles saffron; it is sometimes referred to as Indian saffron. Turmeric is used as a curry component and as a spice in Indian cooking, and can be used as a dye. Turmeric and its major component, curcumin, are both used as phytomedicines.
Uses and Benefits:
Turmeric has been traditionally recognized in India as a flavorful, colorful condiment, and as an Ayurvedic medicine to improve appetite, act as a carminative, and treat gallstones and other biliary problems, as well as dyspepsia. It is a traditional remedy in India, China, and other Southeast Asian countries to treat asthma and colds, and is applied as an ointment, paste, or poultice for scabies, boils, bruises, insect bites, and other skin lesions. Turmeric is given orally for many other conditions, including menstrual problems, pain, epilepsy, respiratory tract infections, bleeding, diarrhea, jaundice, and rheumatic disorders. More recently, it has gained a reputation as an anti-inflammatory agent, a treatment for hypercholesterolemia, an antioxidant, and a cancer preventative, and is claimed to prevent cardiovascular and other degenerative changes of aging. Claims also are made for its value in allergy, AIDS, cataracts, and other diseases. Curcumin is added to foods such as butter and margarine to prevent oxidation and to improve the color.
Pharmacology:
More than 100 components have been iso
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Author: Steve Mathew
Turmeric
Turmeric is the root (or rhizome) of the Asian plant, Curcuma longa or C. domestica (red valerian, haldi, jiang huang). When the roots are ground up, they yield a yellowish powder that resembles saffron; it is sometimes referred to as Indian saffron. Turmeric is used as a curry component and as a spice in Indian cooking, and can be used as a dye. Turmeric and its major component, curcumin, are both used as phytomedicines.
Uses and Benefits:
Turmeric has been traditionally recognized in India as a flavorful, colorful condiment, and as an Ayurvedic medicine to improve appetite, act as a carminative, and treat gallstones and other biliary problems, as well as dyspepsia. It is a traditional remedy in India, China, and other Southeast Asian countries to treat asthma and colds, and is applied as an ointment, paste, or poultice for scabies, boils, bruises, insect bites, and other skin lesions. Turmeric is given orally for many other conditions, including menstrual problems, pain, epilepsy, respiratory tract infections, bleeding, diarrhea, jaundice, and rheumatic disorders. More recently, it has gained a reputation as an anti-inflammatory agent, a treatment for hypercholesterolemia, an antioxidant, and a cancer preventative, and is claimed to prevent cardiovascular and other degenerative changes of aging. Claims also are made for its value in allergy, AIDS, cataracts, and other diseases. Curcumin is added to foods such as butter and margarine to prevent oxidation and to improve the color.
Pharmacology:
More than 100 components have been iso
About the Author:
Steve Mathew is a writer, who writes many great articles on herbal medicines for common ailments and diseases. For more information on herbal remedies and home remedies visit our site on health care.
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