Condition
Treatment Support
warming digestive stimulant, carminative; harmonizes liver with digestion
Application
tea, tincture, extract in capsules
Turmeric
(Curcuma longa)
Also know as Indian saffron
Botanical Information
A large-leafed, aromatic plant with fragrant yellow flowers and brightly colored orange or yellow rhizomes in the Ginger family. It grows 2 to 5 feet tall and has a round stalk.
Working with Turmeric
Part(s) Used
Rhizome
Herb Forms
Standardized extract in capsules, tincture, fresh or dry rhizome for tea
Turmeric is a treasure in the herbal kingdom, both as a spice that colors and flavors dishes throughout Asia and as a modern medical super star. It burst upon the scene with healing anti-inflammatory properties at just the moment when medical science was realizing that most chronic diseases are driven by underlying inflammatory processes in the body, known as “yin deficiency” in Chinese medicine.
Turmeric root contains a yellow pigment called curcumin, a strong anti-inflammatory substance that acts with other compounds through several biochemical pathways. Traditionally the spice was used in teas and extracts to treat arthritis, tendonitis, heart conditions, and liver and digestive problems. Now preliminary clinical studies confirm its use for cancer prevention and the treatment of precancerous lesions, painful digestion, and stomach ulcers. Externally, turmeric can be applied to wounds and bites and is used for preventing and treating infections. In Chinese medicine turmeric is used both internally and externally for pain resulting from a traumatic injury.
Turmeric has a taste of ACRID, SPICY and a temperature of WARM.
Cautions
Using turmeric in cooking or teas is safe but avoid using the concentrated or standardized extracts during pregnancy. Fijian women use turmeric to increase mother’s milk, but it can have an anti-fertility effect when taken in very high doses, as is possible with standardized extracts. Also, use caution with the standardized extract if you are taking blood thinners. Very high doses of concentrated turmeric extracts have proven to be toxic in animal tests, but lower doses have not.
Conditions treated with Turmeric
Condition
Treatment Support
Application
Condition
Treatment Support
intestinal anti-inflammatory
Application
capsule, tablet, tincture
Condition
Treatment Support
antiinflammatory
Application
tincture, extract in capsules
Condition
Treatment Support
liver protector
Application
tea, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
anti-inflammatory, hepatic
Application
tincture, tablet, capsule
Condition
Treatment Support
reproductive tonic
Application
tablet, tincture
Condition
Treatment Support
blood mover
Application
tincture, tablet
The information given here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. The information is drawn from numerous sources—both traditional medicine practice, from the clinical experience of many herbalists currently practicing, and supported by decades of scientific research from the author. The research most consulted includes human clinical trials that help to determine the most effective and safe herbs for various needs, the best doses, and types of preparations.
The information offered in this database is not intended as a substitute for any that may have been prescribed by your health practitioner or physician.
