Medicinal Qualities of Turmeric

Therapeutic actions and medicinal uses are only listed and not discussed in this section. Principal uses are discussed in the Dosages and Applications section and recommendations for potential uses are included in Personal Experience section.

Sources for this section include: (10, 11, 28, 44, 45)

1. Therapeutic Actions

§ Adrenal Support

§ Alterative

§ Analgesic

§ Anthelmintic

§ Antibacterial

§ Anti-arthritic

§ Anti-carcinogenic

§ Anticoagulant

§ Anti-fertility

§ Anti-fungal

§ Anti-inflammatory

§ Anti-flatulent

§ Anti-fungal

§ Anti-microbial

§ Anti-neoplastic (anti-tumor)

§ Antioxidant

§ Anti-periodic

§ Anti-protozoal

§ Antipyretic

§ Antiseptic

§ Antiviral

§ Aromatic

§ Astringent

§ Blood Purifier

§ Carminative

§ Cholagogue

§ Circulative

§ Emmenagogue – regulates menstruation and reduces cramping

§ Fat breakdown and metabolism

§ Fibrinolitic

§ Hematic

§ Hepatic – stimulates bile and cleanses and strengthens liver

§ Hypotensive (reduces high blood pressure)

§ Increases glutathione content in liver

§ Increases cholesterol conversion into bile acids

§ Inhibits platelet aggregation

§ Inhibits lymphocytic activity

§ Lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholseterol

§ Maintains balance of intestinal flora

§ Pancreatic Support -- Regulates blood sugar

§ Pharyngitis,

§ Respiratory

§ Stabilizes lysosomal membranes

§ Stimulates digestive enzymes

§ Stimulant

§ Stomachic and digestive

§ Styptic (to stem bleeding)

§ Tastes: Acrid, Bitter, Warm, Pungent

§ Tonic

§ Topical anti-bacterial and anti-fungal

§ Thyroid strengthener

§ Tumor-preventing activity

§ Vulnerary

§ Warming

2. Medicinal Uses

· AIDS

· Anemia (thin blood)

· Arthritis

· Asthma

· Arteriosclerosis

· Bacterial Infection

· Bronchitis

· Bruises

· Cancer and Carcinogen exposure

· Cataract prevention

· Colic

· Flatulence

· Burns

· Bursitis

· Cholestasis

· Chronic Strep Throat

· Cold

· Conjunctivitis

· Cough

· Crohn’s disease

· Debility

· Diabetes and hypoglycemia

· Dysmenorrhea

· Ear Infections

· Eczema

· Fungus

· Gas

· Hemorrhoids,

· Hepatitis

· Hoarse Voice

· Inflammation

· Irritable bowel syndrome

· Lumps in Breast (not fibrocystic)

· Peptic ulcer

· Psoriasis

· Rheumatoid arthritis

· Rosacea

· Ulcerative Colitis

· Inhibit gram-positive bacteria (much less than conventional antibiotics)

· Inhibits tobacco smoke mutagenicity, nitrosamine formation, and lymphoma

· growth while increasing enzyme detoxification of the liver

· Insect bites

· Jaundice

· Menstrual difficulties

· Pain

· Skin Problems (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, etc.)

· Sinus Infection and Congestion

· Toothache

· Tonsillitis

· Trauma

· Vision improvement

· Weight loss

· Wounds, cuts, scratches