Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma domestica) is a zingiberaceous perennial plant. Its rhizomes are used as raw material of turmeric tea, ukoncha. Rhizomes of turmeric are preferably effective for the treatment for diseases of adults, and also known to have a liver healing property. Turmeric is one of the oldest herbs in Ayurveda materia medica, and has been used in Ayurveda medicine internally as a stomach, tonic and blood purifier, and topically in the prevention and treatment of skin diseases. Turmeric is a spicy plant that is a common ingredient in curry powder, usually in combination with other herbs such as cayenne, garlic, cumin and onion. Turmeric root contains mainly isoquinoline alkaloids (xanthopuccine, berberine, hidrastine, hidrastanine, beta-hydrastine, canadine and canadaline). These confer anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal, and vasodilator effects. Turmeric extract is useful as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic agent, anti-cancer agent, cholagogueue, depurative, diuretic, fumitory, hemostatic agent, hepatoprotective agent, lactagogue, stomachic, tonic, and vulnerary. Turmeric preparations are useful to protect the liver from toxins, to reduce platelet aggregation, to prevent or treat inflammatory disease, inflammation, arthritis, psoriasis, cancer (e.g., prostate cancer and breast cancer), pain, Alzheimer's Disease, cardiovascular disease (e.g., arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis). Turmeric has been shown to possess antioxidant properties. Antioxidant activities diminish free radicals which aggravate the inflammatory response. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that tumeric is synergistic with green tea in that the presence of tumeric significantly multiplies the anti-inflammatory effect of green tea polyphenols. The most active component of turmeric is curcumin, which has been shown to anti-inflammatory activity that is comparable to steroidal and non steroidal drugs. Curcumin, an alkaloid (diferuloyl methane) isolated from the alcoholic extract of turmeric, has been shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin is an inhibitor of Type I cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, the enzyme mainly responsible for activating phosphorylase kinase. The inhibition is competitive with respect to both ATP and the substrate. Phosphorylase kinase, in turn, increases the migration of inflammatory cells, tumor cells, smooth muscle cells, and other cell types, as discussed above, as well as infectious organisms, increasing both the destructive and proliferative sequelae of the inflammatory response. Curcumin not only has anti-inflammatory properties but also has anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and other valuable properties. When used in low concentrations, curcumin can inhibit nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and, therefore, inhibit nitric oxide production. Curcumin is known to inhibit the enzymatic transformation between phosphorylase b and phosphorylase a. Curcumin inhibits the tumor promotion caused by phorbol esters. Turmeric is also often used to treat conditions such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and other pains in the abdominal region caused by stagnation of blood. In addition, turmeric has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties that make it an herbal medicine for a wide variety of other conditions ranging from arthritis to ulcers, flatulence, blood in the urine, bruises, colic, respiratory diseases, chest pains, jaundice, hepatitis, diabetes, menstrual irregularities, hemorrhage, and toothache. It is also effective both as a treatment and a preventive for intestinal parasites. Turmeric root stimulates bile flow, resulting in improved liver function and reduced cholesterol. It is a stronger antioxidant than Vitamin C or E and may inhibit tumor growth. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and aids in protecting the liver from damaging exposure to drugs, environmental toxins and metabolic byproducts. Cayenne pepper is rich in flavonoids that are known to strengthen and dilate blood vessels and capillaries, creating a powerful increase in circulatory health. In general, its antibacterial action is directed to metabolic inhibition, inhibition of the formation of enterotoxins, and inhibition of bacterial adhesion. It produces vasodilatation by inhibiting smooth muscle contraction, and inhibiting platelet aggregation. This plant provides at least 34 active principles for therapeutic use.
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