The exotic Indian spice Turmeric has always been a commodity desired by the western world. The spice has been traded for thousands of years and in Medieval Europe was highly sought after for being a cheaper alternative to expensive saffron. But lately, turmeric is back in the news and causing a great deal of excitement, but why?
New research discovers potential cancer treatment
Turmeric is taken in some Asian countries as a dietary supplement to help with stomach problems and other ailments. It is popular as a tea in Japan and in Pakistan it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent and remedy for gastrointestinal discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders. In Afghanistan and northwest Pakistan, turmeric is applied to a piece of burnt cloth and placed over a wound to cleanse and stimulate recovery. Indians use turmeric in a wide variety of skin creams. It is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, and other biological disorders.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, 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 is exploding. In that year supplement sales increased 35% from the previous year, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health had four clinical trials underway to study curcumin treatment for pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, Alzheimer’s, and colorectal cancer. The British Journal of Cancer reported a study that showed that curcumin could kill esophageal cancer cells in vitro. Curcumin also enhances the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which supports nerve growth.
But the latest news about this remarkable plant is that turmeric may have other applications in disease resistance. The Journal of the American Chemical Society has published a study showing that curcumin molecules resist infection by inserting themselves into cell membranes, making the membranes more stable. This stability appears to boost a cell’s resistance to infection.
Another study carried out by St John’s Medical College showed that, when ingested alone, the curcumin was quickly metabolised by the liver and intestinal wall, limiting its health benefits. However, when the curcumin was combined with piperine, a component of black pepper, the absorption was increased by 2,000% – a staggering statistic. This shows how, by taking an holistic approach to the healing powers of natural ingredients, science can concentrate the healing powers latent in simple spices that we use most commonly to flavour our meals.
A close relative of ginger
Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb, but this latest research has shown that its cousin turmeric has a range of health benefits previously unknown. And this is causing a great deal of excitement amongst researchers. The price of turmeric has responded accordingly, thanks to the renewed interest in its healing properties, and turmeric is currently trading at its highest price for years. If turmeric’s ability to resist infection is proven with clinical trials, it could potentially be a natural alternative to antibiotics and other drugs used to fight infection.
Turmeric is taking its place once again alongside a host of other ancient but ‘newly discovered’ herbs with healing properties, showing how a symbiotic relationship between pharmacology and natural health products can yield astonishing results. Products such as Resveratrol, a substance found in Japanese Knotweed and known for its anti-ageing, antioxidant and skin care properties, is the latest to be scientifically investigated as a potential source of healing properties in a wide range of illnesses. Scientists are now taking a fresh look at a number of natural products taken for weight control, fitness and skin care to see if they have active ingredients that could help us battle some of the most devastating modern diseases such as cancer.
Those involved in natural remedies, cosmetics and supplements are watching Turmeric developments with interest and have already seen an increase in the sales of products containing curcumin. Turmeric looks set to be the next ‘big thing’ over the coming months.
