Omnia SanaCommon names in 14 European languages →
The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 21 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Rhizomatous perennial herb with large, broad, lance-shaped leaves arising directly from the underground rhizome in a clump. Pale yellow flowers are borne in a dense spike partly hidden among pale green to pink upper bracts. The branching, knobbly rhizome has a bright orange-yellow interior, the source of turmeric spice and dye.[1]
Habitat & Distribution
Native to South Asia (India) and Southeast Asia; cultivated extensively in warm, humid tropical climates on well-drained, fertile soils.
Harvesting
The rhizomes are dug at the end of the growing season, typically 8-10 months after planting, when the leaves have died back; they are cleaned, boiled or steamed, then dried and often ground into the familiar yellow powder.
Key Constituents
The principal yellow-orange pigments and best-studied bioactive compounds, responsible for most of turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity; oral bioavailability is low unless combined with piperine or a lipid carrier.
Aromatic sesquiterpenes (including turmerone) contributing to fragrance and additional bioactivity.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antidiabetic action
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
inferred from anticancer action
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antimicrobial action
Traditional Use & History
Turmeric rhizome is a cornerstone spice and medicine of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, used for millennia as an anti-inflammatory, digestive and wound-healing remedy and valued as a golden dye; its curcuminoid-rich rhizome is now among the most extensively researched botanicals for inflammatory and joint conditions, directly building on this traditional reputation.[1, 14]
Preparations
Rhizome extract standardised to curcuminoid content, often combined with piperine (black pepper extract) to improve absorption, taken as capsules; the form used in most clinical arthritis and inflammation studies.
Dosage
Clinical trials in arthritis commonly use around 1000-1500 mg of curcumin (or curcuminoid-standardised extract) daily, in divided doses, often combined with piperine. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally very safe in culinary quantities. High-dose curcumin supplements may cause gastrointestinal upset. May interact with anticoagulants (warfarin), antidiabetic drugs, and acid-suppressing medications. Avoid very high doses during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Rarely causes allergic reactions.
Duke (2002) rates turmeric as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with Commission E and WHO approvals. Curcumin is the primary bioactive compound with well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aggregant, and hepatoprotective effects. Duke notes Commission E approval for dyspeptic complaints. Dose: 1.5–3 g dried rhizome powder daily. A major pharmacological consideration is bioavailability: curcumin alone has low absorption, but combining with piperine (black pepper) increases bioavailability by up to 2000%. Contraindicated in bile duct obstruction; use with caution in gallstones and during pregnancy at medicinal doses (Duke, 2002).
Herb-Drug Interactions
Harvest Readiness
[13]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Zeng, L., Yang, T., Yang, K., Yu, G. et al (2022) 'Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract in the Treatment of Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials', Frontiers in Immunology, 13, pp. 891822. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.891822 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.891822 - Zeng, L., Yu, G., Hao, W., Yang, K. and Chen, H (2021) 'The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Bioscience Reports, 41(6), pp. BSR20210817. doi:10.1042/BSR20210817 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20210817 - Marton, L.T., Pescinini-E-Salzedas, L.M., Camargo, M.E.C., Barbalho, S.M. et al (2021) 'The Effects of Curcumin on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review', Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, pp. 669448. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.669448 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.669448 - Kocaadam, B. and Sanlier, N (2017) 'Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on health', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(13), pp. 2889-2895. doi:10.1080/10408398.2015.1077195 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2015.1077195 - Vaughn, A.R., Branum, A. and Sivamani, R.K (2016) 'Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: a systematic review of the clinical evidence', Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), pp. 1243-1264. doi:10.1002/ptr.5640 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5640 - Soleimani, V., Sahebkar, A. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2018) 'Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its major constituent (curcumin) as nontoxic and safe substances: review', Phytotherapy Research, 32(6), pp. 985-995. doi:10.1002/ptr.6054 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6054 - Zeng, L., Yang, T., Yang, K., Yu, G., Li, J., Xiang, W. and Chen, H (2022) 'Curcumin and Curcuma longa extract in the treatment of 10 types of autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 randomized controlled trials', Frontiers in Immunology, 13, pp. 896476. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.896476 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.896476 - Razavi, B.M., Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2021) 'A review of therapeutic potentials of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its active constituent, curcumin, on inflammatory disorders, pain, and their related patents', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6489-6513. doi:10.1002/ptr.7224 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7224 - Memarzia, A., Khazdair, M.R., Behrouz, S., Gholamnezhad, Z., Jafarnezhad, M., Saadat, S. and Boskabady, M.H (2021) 'Experimental and clinical reports on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma longa and curcumin, an updated and comprehensive review', BioFactors, 47(3), pp. 311-350. doi:10.1002/biof.1716 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.1716 - Jurenka, J.S (2009) 'Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research', Alternative Medicine Review, 14(2), pp. 141-153. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Anti-inflammatory%20properties%20of%20curcumin%2C%20a%20major%20constituent%20of%20Curcuma%20longa%3A%20a%20review%20of%20preclinical%20and%20clinical%20research - Hosseini, A. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2018) 'Antidotal or protective effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and its active ingredient, curcumin, against natural and chemical toxicities: a review', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 99, pp. 411-421. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.072 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.072 - Araujo, C.C. and Leon, L.L (2001) 'Biological activities of Curcuma longa L', Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 96(5), pp. 723-728. doi:10.1590/s0074-02762001000500026 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762001000500026 - Fern, Ken 'Curcuma longa (Useful Tropical Plants)'. Available at: https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Curcuma+longa Traditional / reference
https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Curcuma+longa - Aggarwal, B.B. and Harikumar, K.B (2009) 'Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases', 41(1), pp. 40--59. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2008.06.010 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2008.06.010 - Shoba, G. et al (1998) 'Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers', 64(4), pp. 353--356. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957450 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957450 - WHO (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Liu, A.C., Zhao, L.X. and Lou, H.X (2013) 'Curcumin alters the pharmacokinetics of warfarin and clopidogrel in Wistar rats but has no effect on anticoagulation or antiplatelet aggregation', Planta Medica, 79(11), pp. 971-977. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1328652 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1328652 - Tian, J., Feng, B. and Tian, Z (2022) 'The Effect of Curcumin on Lipid Profile and Glycemic Status of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022, pp. 8278744. doi:10.1155/2022/8278744 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8278744 - Willcox, M.L., Elugbaju, C., Al-Anbaki, M., Lown, M. and Graz, B (2021) 'Effectiveness of Medicinal Plants for Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: An Overview of Meta-Analyses of Clinical Trials', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 777561. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.777561 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.777561 - Altobelli, E., Angeletti, P.M., Marziliano, C., Mastrodomenico, M., Giuliani, A.R. and Petrocelli, R (2021) 'Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin on glycemic and lipid profile in uncomplicated type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Nutrients, 13(2), pp. 404. doi:10.3390/nu13020404 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020404
Selected studies & references
All 21 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.