Introduction
- Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
- Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
- Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
- Class: Liliopsida – Monocotyledons,
- Subclass: Zingiberidae
- Order: Zingiberales
- Family: Zingiberaceae – Ginger family
- Genus: Curcuma L. – curcuma
- Species: Curcuma longa L. – common turmeric [4]
Traditional Uses
- • for anemia, take a bowl of yogurt with 1 tsp turmeric. Eat on empty stomach morning and evening. Do not eat after dark.
- • for cuts, wound and fungal nail infections, apply mixture of Yz tsp turmeric & 1 tsp aloe vera gel to affected area.
- • for external hemorrhoids, apply a mixture of Yz tsp of turmeric and 1 tsp of ghee locally at bedtime. [10]
Effects on Body Tissues
Effects on Body Systems
Western Studies
- Study 1 “Animal and laboratory studies have found that curcumin, an antioxidant that is an active ingredient in turmeric, demonstrated some anticancer effects. Antioxidants are compounds that can protect the body’s cells from damage caused by activated oxygen molecules known as free radicals. However, clinical research is needed to determine curcumin’s role in cancer prevention and treatment in humans. Several types of cancer cells are inhibited by curcumin in the laboratory, and curcumin slows the spread of some cancers in some animal studies.” [22]
- Study 2 “Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the yellow pigment in Indian saffron (Curcuma longa; also called turmeric, haldi, or haridara in the East and curry powder in the West), has been consumed by people for centuries as a dietary component and for a variety of proinflammatory ailments. Extensive research within the last decade in cell culture and in rodents has revealed that curcumin can sensitize tumors to different chemotherapeutic agents. Chemosensitization has been observed in cancers of the breast, colon, pancreas, gastric, liver, blood, lung, prostate, bladder, cervix, ovary, head and neck, and brain and in multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma. Similar studies have also revealed that this agent can sensitize a variety of tumors to gamma radiation including glioma, neuroblastoma, cervical carcinoma, epidermal carcinoma, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Although it acts as a chemosensitizer and radiosensitizer for tumors in some cases, curcumin has also been shown to protect normal organs such as liver, kidney, oral mucosa, and heart from chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced toxicity. These preclinical studies are expected to lead to clinical trials to prove the potential of this age-old golden spice for treating cancer patients.” [23]
While there are many theories to support kunir’s versatile uses, some studies suggest otherwise. “Curcumin (CUR) is the major orange pigment of turmeric and believed to exert beneficial health effects in the gastrointestinal tract and numerous other organs after oral intake. However, an increasing number of animal and clinical studies show that the concentrations of CUR in blood plasma, urine, and peripheral tissues, if at all detectable, are extremely low even after large doses. In view of the very low intestinal bioavailability, it is difficult to attribute the putative effects observed in peripheral organs to CUR. Without testing the fecal matter for concentrations of CUR it can’t be said that turmeric has, poor permeation from the intestinal lumen to the portal blood.” [18] Just because haridra hasn’t shown up in the urine, blood or plasma, doesn’t mean it’s confined to the intestine. Perhaps once in systemic circulation the compound changes or is picked up by different organs resulting in a low concentration of CUR in the blood, plasma and urine. It would be helpful to conduct a study that could confirm the concentration of CUR in the intestine and fecal matter after high dosages. With the growing trend of turmeric studies, we will soon gain a deeper understanding of the many benefits of this amazing herb.
Even with all the recent studies, thousands of years of use are evidence that turmeric is a priceless resource. It is an essential part of everyone’s health. Used in preventative measures and ongoing treatment, it has countless uses and applications. Its is no wonder that nisa has been so prized for so long in India and other eastern cultures. Through it’s culinary applications and medicinal uses, golden goddess has become an integral part of the survival of human health. Now readily available around the world, it is being used more and more. The bright orange color of turmeric can be spotted wherever you go even when you may not recognize it by name.
Bibliography