Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Overview
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial with a thick rhizome, growing to about 3 ft (90 cm), featuring lance-shaped leaves and pale yellow flowers. Renowned for its bright yellow-orange color, turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and liver-supportive herb commonly employed in Indian cooking and Ayurveda.
Traditional uses & properties
Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant: Curcumin counters long-term inflammation in conditions like arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Hepatoprotective & Cholagogue: Encourages bile flow, supporting liver function and digestion, as well as possibly lowering cholesterol. Blood-Brain Barrier: Known to cross into the brain, reducing inflammation-linked depression or cognitive decline. Gastric Soother: Supports healthy stomach lining, helps neutralize excess acidity, and aids in mild gastrointestinal complaints.
Preparations & dosage
2–4 ounces 3 times daily (Water is acceptable, but a better menstruum for the decoction is coconut milk.)
Fresh root (juice, then decoct to 50% of its original volume and preserve with 25% alcohol); 1–5 ml (0.2–1 tsp.) 3 times daily
1,000–3,000 mg, 3 times daily
Safety & precautions
Blood Thinners & Gallstones: Seek medical advice if on anticoagulants or if gallstones are present. High Doses: Overuse can lead to digestive upset or overstimulation in those who are “hot/dry.” General: Typically safe in moderate amounts.
Drug & food interactions
Turmeric or its constituent curcumin affects the absorption of some beta blockers, increases the absorption of midazolam, but does not affect the absorption of iron. Piperine, from pepper, enhances the bioavailability of curcumin.
In a clinical study, curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric, decreased the absorption of talinolol, a P-glycoprotein substrate. Curcumin increased the absorption of celiprolol, another P-glycoprotein substrate, in rats. In a randomised study, 12 healthy subjects were given a single 50-mg dose of talinolol after taking curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric, 300 mg daily for 6 days. Curcumin was found to reduce the AUC and maximum plasma level of talinolol by 33% and 28%, respectively, but no clinically significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure occurred.
The interaction between curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric, and midazolam is based on experimental evidence only. No interactions found.
Piperine, a major constituent of pepper, increases the bioavailability of curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric. In a crossover study, 8 healthy subjects were given a single 2-g dose of curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric, powder alone, or with piperine, a major constituent of pepper, powder 20 mg. When curcumin was given alone, its serum levels were either very low or undetectable. The addition of piperine increased curcumin levels 30-fold over the first 45 minutes, and the relative bioavailability of curcumin was increased 20-fold. Concurrent use was well tolerated.
Turmeric does not appear to affect the bioavailability of dietary levels of iron. In a randomised, crossover study, 30 healthy women were given a standard Thai meal (fortified with about 4 mg of isotopically labelled ferrous sulfate), with rice, to which 500 mg of ground turmeric had been added. Turmeric was found to have no effect on the absorption of iron.
Habitat
Native to southern Asia, especially India, turmeric thrives in warm, humid climates with well-drained soil. The rhizome is harvested in winter, boiled or steamed, then dried.
Traditionally used for
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