Curcumin (Turmeric) Health Benefits

Curcumin (/ˈkərkjuːmən/, diferuloylmethane) is a bright yellow chemical produced by some plants. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It is sold as an herbal supplement, cosmetics ingredient, food flavoring and food coloring. As a food additive, its E number is E100.

It was isolated in 1815 when Vogel and Pelletier reported the isolation of a “yellow coloring-matter” from the rhizomes of turmeric and named it curcumin. Although curcumin has been used historically in Ayurvedic medicine, its potential medicinal properties remain unproven and are an area of active investigation

Protective Factor

Measured in mg

Ayurveda & Traditional Indian

Herb

Minor decreased risk of Chronic kidney disease Urinary system	0 studies
Minor decreased risk of Fatigue Musculoskeletal system	1 study Efficacy of turmeric (curcumin) in pain and postoperative fatigue a... Study in 2011 -100% with Low evidence in 4 weeks 50 subjects
Minor decreased risk of Oxidative stress Lymphatic system	2 studies Six-month randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, pilot clini... Study in 2005 -1% with Moderate evidence in 6 months 27 subjects Oral supplementation of turmeric decreases proteinuria, hematuria, ... Study in 2012 -1% with Low evidence in 3 mos 24 subjects
Minor decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes Lymphatic system	1 study Oral supplementation of turmeric decreases proteinuria, hematuria, ... Study in 2012 -1% with Low evidence in 3 mos 24 subjects
Minor decreased risk of Inflammation Lymphatic system	1 study Oral supplementation of turmeric decreases proteinuria, hematuria, ... Study in 2012 -1% with Low evidence in 3 mos 24 subjects

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Ayurvedic Medicine

In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties including strengthening the overall energy of the body, relieving gas, dispelling worms, improving digestion, regulating menstruation, dissolving gallstones, and relieving arthritis.

Ancient Medicine

Turmeric appears in some of the earliest known records of plants in medicine. It was reportedly listed in the Ebers Papyrus from Egypt, circa 1500 BC, for use as a dye and in healing wounds. This is one of the earliest surviving records of medicinal plant use. It is believed to have been cultivated in the Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, possibly as early as the 8th century BC.

Closer to its origin, Turmeric was an important herb in Unani medicine and was listed in an Ayurvedic compendium text around 250 BC.

Some four centuries later it was included in what is considered to be the world’s first pharmacopoeia, the Tang Materia Medica, compiled in China around in 659 AD.