Is Turmeric a Spice or Medicine?
One of the main spices used in Indian cooking is turmeric. But more recently its medicinal uses and applications are being looked at.
For centuries, turmeric has been used treating a lots of illnesses such as swellings and inflammations, fever, liver and urinary disorders, menstrual disorders, arthritic and joint pain, colds, congestion and diarrhoea. It is also used as a diuretic, tonic and stimulant.
Curcumin is one of the main compounds in turmeric and is being investigated for its application for treating more serious illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, breast cancer and melanoma.
Curcumin has shown to be effective in killing and stopping cancer cell growth under laboratory conditions using rats and mice. Trials are being planned to use curcumin in treatments with patients.
Curcumin is effective in preventing some of the unpleasant side effects of exposure to radiation and this could be of great benefit to patients who are undergoing radiation treatment for their cancers.
There are lots of Internet articles about the medicinal uses of curcumin and turmeric. If you want to read more, you can start with the following links.
Curcumin to Kill and Stop the Growth of Skin Cancer Cells
Curry Spice May Counter Alzheimer’s
Curry Spice Found to Fight Cancer
Curry Spice May Curb Alzheimer’s
Curry Spice Takes Burn Out Of Radiation
Curry spice may fight decline in brain function
Curry Spice May Fight Alzheimer’s
Turmeric: from kitchen cabinet to medicine chest
Turmeric. Traditional medicine
It does seem that turmeric is a medicine as well as a spice. And it is a very versatile medicine at that.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
[…] This is the second article in a short series about Indian curry spices and your health. The first article was titled “Is Turmeric a Spice or a Medicine?â€? and you can read it here. […]
November 18th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
[…] Earlier this month we wrote about how curcumin, one of the components of turmeric, was being investigated for its effectiveness in treating cancers. You can read the original article, titled “Is Turmeric a Spice or Medicine?â€?. […]