6 Amazing Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric is undoubtedly one of the greatest culinary and medicinal plants there is. For thousands of years, turmeric root has played an important role in India. Here, it has served not only as the root that gives curry its color but also as an important part of Ayurvedic medicine.

While thousands of medicinal plants exist, turmeric has been thoroughly researched with over 10,000 peer-reviewed publications. This helps us to understand not only what conditions turmeric may help with but also how it does so.

Turmeric is composed of numerous bioactive compounds, with the curcuminoids credited for many, but not all, of the health benefits of turmeric. Here, we will review six astounding benefits of turmeric and curcumin found through peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Turmeric Fights Depression Symptoms

Turmeric has been found to reduce depression symptoms in both animal and human studies.

In a 2014 study published in Phytotherapy Research, 60 participants suffering from major depressive disorder were treated with either an antidepressant (Prozac), curcumin, or a combination of the two for six weeks.

At the end of the six weeks it was found that curcumin was equally as effective at managing depression as the antidepressant. Not only was it effective, but it was better tolerated than the antidepressant. The combination was even more effective than either treatment; however, this difference was insignificant.

This study was the first to demonstrate the possibility of helping those with depression with curcumin. This natural remedy doesn’t have the same risks associated with many antidepressants, such as suicidal tendencies.

Turmeric Helps Those with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Another medical condition for which turmeric is effective compared to a leading pharmaceutical is rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

In a 2012 study published in Phytotherapy Research, 45 patients with RA were split into three groups: diclofenac sodium (an NSAID), curcumin (500 mg), or a combination. Statistically significant improvements were found in all three groups, however it was found that the improvements were significantly greater for those in the curcumin groups.

Curcumin was well tolerated here as well, demonstrating promise for a natural way to find relief for RA pain. It is believed that this effect of curcumin is thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic properties.

Turmeric Improves Skin Health and Appearance

Ancient use of turmeric includes multiple aspects of skin health and beauty, including improving the glow and luster of skin and hastening wound healing. Recent studies have found evidence that supports these uses, finding turmeric to reduce scarring, expedite wound healing, fight acne, and help those with psoriasis and scabies.

These benefits to skin health are largely thanks to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antineoplastic properties of turmeric. Studies that have found benefits of turmeric for skin health include both ingestion of turmeric and topical use of turmeric on skin.

Turmeric Kills Cancer Cells

Anti-cancer drugs have very limited efficacy, are quite costly, and bring with them severe side effects. Because of these difficulties, scientists are continually searching for natural ways to help in the fight against cancer.

While many more studies are needed, preliminary studies have found turmeric and curcumin to exhibit anticancer properties. Among these, it has been found that curcumin suppresses the initiation, progression, and metastasis of many types of tumors.

Turmeric May Reduce Blood Clots

Preliminary studies have found curcumin to reduce platelet aggregation, meaning that it may reduce the risk of forming blood clots. While more research is needed to determine if this holds in human studies, it can’t hurt to add some daily turmeric if you are struggling with blood clots.

Turmeric May Help Headache Sufferers

In a 2017 study published in Immunogenics, it was found that people who supplemented with curcumin and omega-3 fatty acids experienced a decrease in (TNF)-α expression, which is associated with migraines.

Other studies have found turmeric to help with stress, balancing hormones, and depression, which are three main causes of headaches.

Turmeric for Better Health

There are few people out there who are not suffering from some health condition that turmeric has been found to help. It is best to consume turmeric daily to see a benefit, and luckily there are many simple ways to do this. Head to your local health food store to check out turmeric tinctures, capsules, powdered drink mixes, teas, and more.

For more questions, visit Hummingbird Wellness in Boulder, CO, and see how turmeric can help you.