Turmeric has many medicinal properties and many in South Asia use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts, burns and bruises. It is also used as an antibacterial agent.

It is also use it as an anti-inflammatory agent, and remedy for gastrointestinal discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive disorders. Turmeric, applied to a piece of burnt cloth and placed over a wound assists to cleanse and stimulate recovery. Indians, in addition to its Ayurvedic properties, use turmeric in a wide variety of skin creams that are also exported to neighboring countries.

Preliminary medical research is showing Turmeric as currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease, cancer, arthritis, and other clinical disorders.

This interview with Bharat B. Aggarwal, PhD, who is Professor and chief of the Cytokine Research Section at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he currently holds the Ransom Horne, Jr., Endowed Professorship in Cancer Research. He has published more than 500 original articles in peer-reviewed journals was published ©2009 Natural Medicine Journal 1(4), December 2009.

Q: Is it true that there are absorption issues with curcumin and that the dosage needs to be high to produce a therapeutic affect?

A: I think there is a bit of a misconception regarding the absorp- tion and dosage of curcumin. Remember, curcumin is a dietary agent, not a drug. It should not be tested as a drug because if dosages reach the drug level, it could become toxic. We have found that curcumin is circulated quickly and is taken up by tissues very quickly. Within 10 to 20 minutes it is already in the brain. When it is tested as a drug,researchers are looking for curcumin in serum but they don’t find it because it has already been taken up by tissues. In 2008, Marczylo and colleagues demonstrated that very little curcumin was found in plasma and urine in rats after they were given curcumin; however, curcumin was found in intestinal mucosa, as well as liver, kidney, and heart tissue.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins reported that as little as 500 mg of curcumin per day resulted in a 60 percent reduction in polyps, whereas Celebrex at the same dose, which is very cardiotoxic, only resulted in less than 30 percent reduction in polyps as shown by physicians at M.D. Anderson. If bioavailability were an issue, we would not see these results. We have cancer patients at M.D. Anderson who are just on curcumin. They don’t have to be given chemotherapy or radiation, just curcumin alone, and we are witnessing significant results. There are more than 1,000 patients on curcumin right now at M.D. Anderson. Absorption of curcumin is not as big of an issue as people may think.

In the latter half of the 20th century, curcumin, Turmeric rhizome was identified as responsible for most of the biological effects of turmeric. According to a 2005 article in the Wall Street Journal, research activity into curcumin and turmeric is increasing, with supplement sales increased 35% from 2004. The U.S. National Institutes of Health has registered 19 clinical trials underway to study use of dietary turmeric and curcumin for a variety of clinical disorders (dated February 2010

In cosmetics Turmeric is used in the formulation of some sunscreens. Turmeric paste is used by some Indian women to keep them free of superfluous hair. Turmeric paste is applied to bride and groom before marriage in some places of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where it is believed turmeric gives glow to skin and keeps some harmful bacteria away from the body. We have it readily avaialble for you in our capsule form.

The government of Thailand is funding a project to extract and isolate tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THC) from turmeric. THCs are colorless compounds that might have antioxidant and skin-lightening properties, and might be used to treat skin inflammations, making these compounds useful in cosmetics formulations.

Turmeric makes a poor fabric dye, as it is not very light fast (it fades with exposure to sunlight). However, turmeric is commonly used in Indian clothing, such as saris.

Turmeric is also be used to deter ants. The exact reasons why turmeric repels ants is unknown, but it works!

Do not use Curcumin if you suffer from gallstones or a blocked bile duct, as it increases the production of bile acid.

If you are taking Warfarin or other blood thinning medication, consult your doctor before taking Curcumin.

Available in 50's, 100's and 200 Capsules

Special Offer. If you order 3 lots of 200 Turmeric we will automatically send you a fourth pot absolutely free of charge. Just order the 3 pots to get 4!

For more information on Turmeric and Curcumin, including the complete interview with Dr; Aggarwal, please click here