The active constituent is known as curcumin. It has been shown to have a wide range of
therapeutic actions. First, it protects against free radical damage because it is a strong antioxidant.1 2 Second, it
reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels and possibly by increasing production of
natural cortisone by the adrenal glands.3 Third, it protects the liver from a
number of toxic compounds.4 Fourth, it has been shown to reduce platelets from
clumping together, which in turn improves circulation and may help protect against atherosclerosis.5 There are also test-tube
and animal studies showing a cancer-preventing
action of curcumin. In one of these studies, curcumin effectively inhibited metastasis
(uncontrolled spread) of melanoma (skin cancer) cells.6 This may be due to its
antioxidant activity in the body. Curcumin inhibits HIV in test tubes, though human trials are needed to
determine if it has any usefulness for treating humans with this condition.7
A preliminary trial in people with rheumatoid
arthritis found curcumin to be somewhat useful for reducing inflammation and symptoms such
as pain and stiffness.8 A separate double-blind trial found that curcumin was
superior to placebo or phenylbutazone (an
NSAID) for alleviating post-surgical inflammation.9
While a double-blind trial has found turmeric helpful for people with indigestion,10 results in people with
stomach or intestinal ulcers have not shown it
to be superior to a placebo and have demonstrated it to be less effective than antacids.11 12
Preliminary research indicates a possible benefit of oral curcumin supplementation (375 mg
of turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids three times daily for 12 weeks) for chronic anterior
uveitis (inflammation of the iris and middle coat of the eyeball).13
1. Sreejayan N, Rao MNA. Free radical scavenging activity of
curcuminoids. Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46:169–71.
2. Ramirez-Boscá A, Soler A, Gutierrez MAC, et al. Antioxidant
curcuma extracts decrease the blood lipid peroxide levels of human subjects. Age
3. Arora RB, Basu N, Kapoor V, Jain AP. Anti-inflammatory studies on
Curcuma longa (turmeric). Ind J Med Res 1971;59:1289–95.
4. Kiso Y, Suzuki Y, Watanbe N, et al. Antihepatotoxic principles of
Curcuma longa rhizomes. Planta Med 1983;49:185–7.
5. Srivastava R, Dikshit M, Srimal RC, Dhawan BN. Anti-thrombotic effect
of curcumin. Thromb Res 1985;40:413–7.
6. Menon LG, Kuttan R, Kuttan G. Anti-metastatic activity of curcumin and
catechin. Cancer Lett 1999;141:159–65.
7. Barthelemy S, Vergnes L, Moynier M, et al. Curcumin and curcumin
derivatives inhibit Tat-mediated transactivation of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus long
terminal repeat. Res Virol 1998;149:43–52.
8. Deodhar SD, Sethi R, Srimal RC. Preliminary studies on antirheumatic
activity of curcumin (diferuloyl methane). Ind J Med Res 1980;71:632–4.
9. Satoskar RR, Shah SJ, Shenoy SG. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory
property of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) in patients with postoperative inflammation.Int
J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1986;24:651–4.
10. Thamlikitkul V, Bunyapraphathara N, Dechatiwongse T, et al.
Randomized double-blind study of Curcuma domestica Val for dyspepsia. J Med Assoc
11. Van Dau N, Ngoc Ham N, Huy Khac D, et al. The effects of traditional
drug, turmeric (Curcuma longa), and placebo on the healing of duodenal ulcer.
12. Kositchaiwat C, Kositchaiwat S, Havanondha J. Curcuma longa
Linn in the treatment of gastric ulcer comparison to liquid antacid: A controlled clinical
trial. J Med Assoc Thai 1993;76:601–5.
13. Lal B, Kapoor AK, Asthana OP, et al. Efficacy of curcumin in the
management of chronic anterior uveitis. Phytotherapy Res 1999;13:318–22.
14. Foster S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, CO: Interweave
Press, 1998, 200–1.
15. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative
Medicine Communications, 1998, 222.
16. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, et al. American Herbal Products
Association Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997, 39.