Turmeric
Curcuma longa
also known as Indian saffron, Haldi, Jiang huang
A bright orange root used in Indian cooking and medicine for thousands of years. Curcumin, its active compound, is the most-studied plant chemical in modern science — and the inflammation evidence is the reason.
- Strong evidence for reducing inflammation
- Curcumin calms the same inflammation pathways that NSAIDs target — but with a much gentler footprint on the stomach
- Eases osteoarthritis discomfort, sometimes performing close to standard pain medications
- Antioxidant activity that helps protect cells from everyday wear
- Long-standing use for digestive support
- Approved by Germany's Commission E for indigestion
Active in Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, Turmerones.
Avoid with active gallstones or bile-duct obstruction
Avoid high doses with blood thinners
Can reduce iron absorption — worth watching with anemia
May lower blood sugar — caution with diabetes medication
Stop two weeks before surgery at therapeutic doses
Rare reports of liver injury at very high supplemental doses, sometimes tied to enhanced-absorption formulas
Skip therapeutic doses during pregnancy — culinary amounts are fine
Research
- Turmeric (curcuma longa) rhizome essential oil: analytical profile of authenticated and commercial samples, safety and pharmacology review.
- A scoping review of turmeric adulteration based on data from six continents.
- Safety evaluation of an effervescent curcuminoids-ascorbic acid-polysaccharide-β-cyclodextrin (CUR-A-Poly-β-CD) inclusion complex powder in healthy volunteers: A non-placebo-controlled pilot study.
Works with
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