| Family: Zingiberaceae | | | | xenobiotics with biological systems. Much of the |
| Genus: Curcuma | | | | research on turmeric is reported in this journal. |
| Species: longa | | | | Epidemiological studies have linked the frequent use |
| Common names: Curcuma, turmeric, Ukon | | | | of turmeric to lower rates of breast, prostate, lung |
| General Description: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a | | | | and colon cancer; laboratory experiments have |
| rhizome, a herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger | | | | shown curcumin may prevent tumors from forming in |
| family, Zingiberaceae which is native to tropical South | | | | research mice; and research conducted at the |
| Asia. Turmeric has been widely used for centuries as | | | | University of Texas suggests that even when breast |
| a spice in Indian and other South Asian cooking. It is | | | | cancer is already present, curcumin can help slow the |
| also used to give a yellow color to some prepared | | | | spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs in mice. |
| mustards, canned chicken broths and other foods | | | | According to researchers at Rutgers University, New |
| (often as a much cheaper replacement for saffron). | | | | Jersey, this curry spice has the potential for the |
| Turmeric is an ancient spice, also used from antiquity | | | | treatment and prevention of prostate cancer. The |
| as dye and a condiment. It is in fact one of the less | | | | researchers believe the combination of cruciferous |
| expensive spices. | | | | vegetables and curcumin could be an effective |
| Location: Turmeric occurs in tropical southern Asia | | | | therapy not only to prevent prostate cancer, but to |
| and Indonesia. | | | | inhibit the spread of established prostate cancers. |
| Uses: Turmeric, known also as curcumin, is ground | | | | Turmeric is known in native cultures to have |
| from the underground stem of the plant. As a spice, | | | | anti-inflammatory effects, so it may be used to treat |
| it is always used in ground form. The plant thrives in | | | | arthritis and other inflammatory conditions; it is also |
| the tropics and subtropics where it requires a hot, | | | | considered a strong antioxidant and may be antiviral. |
| moist climate and a fairly light soil. | | | | There may also be value in its ability to increase the |
| In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is thought to have | | | | body's use of cholesterol by promoting the |
| many medicinal properties and many in India use it as | | | | production of bile. |
| a readily available antiseptic for cuts and burns. Only | | | | Because the value of turmeric (curcumin) is only |
| recently have Western scientists begun to recognize | | | | beginning to be identified, research on its effects will |
| the medicinal properties of turmeric. Study of this | | | | likely increase dramatically in the future. |
| fascinating plant continues in various universities | | | | Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not |
| around the world. Biochemical Pharmacology is an | | | | been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. |
| international journal devoted to publishing original work | | | | Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to |
| on the interaction of drugs and nontherapeutic | | | | treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. |