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Turmeric, the spice of life, has about 55 synonyms but the most widely used are haldi and haridra. It is native to southeast Asia but is unusual in that it is only known as a domesticated plant - it does not occur in the wild. Nevertheless it can be classified botanically as Curcuma longa L. and it is a member of the ginger family. It has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat gastrointestinal upset, arthritic pain, and "low energy."

Turmeric is available as a fine powder of bright yellow/orange colour, which is made by boiling, drying and grounding the rhizome (root). The colour is due to a compound named curcumin, which has antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

For the layman, the benefits of antioxidants are that they may help prevent various cancers, heart disease, and diseases of aging.

Cancer
In the case of turmeric it was reported by Rutgers (The State University of New Jersey) to show particular promise in the treatment and prevention of prostrate cancer. (ref 1). Unfortunately curcumin quickly loses its anti-cancer properties when ingested, but on Novemenber7, 2007 it was reported that Japanese researchers have succeeded in identifying and synthesising two molecules in curcumin that are 30 times more potent than the natural product (ref 2). It may also be able to fight gastric cancer and cancer of the breast, pancreas and lung.

Cystic Fibrosis
It has been shown to correct cystic fibrosis effects (ref 3). Cystic Fibrosis usually kills its sufferers by the mid-30's but trials with mice have shown that curcumin may prolong life to a normal span.

Home benefits
Traditionally turmeric has been used to treat hepatitis, jaundice, gallstones, and indigestion. It is said to be a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder, which improves fat digestion. It may also reduce cholesterol.

Turmeric is recommended as a treatment for eczema and as a skin conditioner. It is used to treat pimples.

Turmeric is used to treat wounds, cuts and abrasions since it prevents inflammation. A paste is made of the spice and honey (another home product for wound healing) and applied to cuts, etc.

Anti-inflammatory properties also make turmeric useful in reducing inflammation in joints, therefore relieving the symptoms of arthritis.

Ayurvedic medical sources say that turmeric is very effective in treating bronchitis, coughing and asthma. One spoon of turmeric boiled in milk with a spoon of pure ghee aids expectoration.

The use of turmeric is cautioned in cases of severe hepatitis and for pregnant women.
(1) The paper is available at cancerres.aacrjournals.org.
(2) http://www.news-medical.net/?i d=32343
(3) http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/ content/abstract/304/5670/600

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