The use of Turmeric as a medicinal plant dates to the times of the pharaohs.
In India it is called "herb of the sun", mixed with pepper, coriander, fenugreek and cumin it is knows as curry.
In cause of the difficulty of absorption of curcumin (antioxidant and cell-protection) and it’s destruction by the liver, the ingredients in Indian “Curry” were not chosen by chance.
The use of Turmeric (powder) in Ayurvedic medicine:
Pure :
• Against Jaundice (mixture of turmeric, coriander and cumin) and other liver diseases
• As a strengthening of the heart
• As an anti-parasitic,
• To heal gastric ulcers
• Against inflammatory diseases
In synergy:
• Turmeric and Betel leaves… for cancer prevention
• Turmeric 0.5% and Coriander 2% ... as immunostimulant
Quality:
• To preserve the curcumin in the powder, should not be exposed to heat. Being aware that most commercial powders are produced with the rhizome previously cooked ,to transform the contained starch , it should be consumed fresh or dried or check the production method (if bought prepared)
Use of Turmeric (Essential Oil):
· Decreases belly fat and lowers hyperglycemia (diabetes 2)
· Increases hepatic glycolysis (= mobilization of stored sugars), gluconeogenesis (= transformation of reserves) (1)
· In cancer prevention, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (2)
· “Elemene” , one component of turmeric oil , decreases the destructive joint process in ankylosing spondylitis. (3)
· Repels mosquitoes (in synergy with the essential oil of Citronella or Citriodora (the synthetic mosquito repellent is effective 7.5 hours against 5 hours for this natural mixture (4)
· Is used in agriculture as an anti-fungal ("Auméron")…. No toxicity (5)
Some definitions to clarify the terms:
Turmeric is the rhizome, yellow-orange in color, it’s form looks like Ginger.
Curcumin (one of the curcuminoids (which give the orange color to paprika, saffron…)) is a component (1.11%) of Turmeric. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, but on the other hand destroyed by heat (spice), hardly absorbed by the intestine and, in large part, destroyed by the liver. It is absent in essential oil.
The properties of curcumin: (6)
· Powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger, enhances the effects of other antioxidants such as glutamine.
· Captures heavy metals
· Helps protect against the development of cancer and decreases its resistance to chemotherapy. Its anti-cancer action is multiple in nature (decrease in the multiplication of cancer cells, control of the life cycles of a healthy cell so as not to become cancerous, reduce inflammation, it is an immunostimulant .. and others .. .)
· Anti-bacterial (staphylococcus aureus, salmonella, etc.)
· Useful in the prevention of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer.
Problem of bioavailability and absorption of curcumin:
Curcumin has many vertus, but it is not easily absorbed and most of it is destroyed by the liver.
· Piperine (component of pepper) increases its intestinal absorption . But it could lead to a leaky, irritates gut and increase the risk of autoimmune diseases.
· Quercetin and green tea extract also increase its absorption;
· Also a complex of liposomal curcumin or curcumin phospholipids to improve its absorbion
· Another laboratory employs curcumin nanoparticles, a quite controversed method
· Often contested synthetic excipients are used
· The Copmed laboratory presents curcumas in form of a patented technique of encapsulation with soluble fenugreek fibers ... which seems rather effective and acceptable
Toxicity:
Turmeric and curcumin have very little toxicity. For curcumin, the recommended daily dose for 1 to 10 years old children admits a maximum of 3 mg per kg of body weight
Conclusion:
The thesis on which I relied largely dates from 2015 (6) and since then many laboratories have filed for patents and are continuing their research. Science is making big steps forward.
The ancestors observed positive effects of using spices, fresh or dried in the shade without transformation, their synergies are interesting and one must decide which form of absorption suits him best.
