Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering perennial plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, along with ginger.  The use of turmeric dates back over 4000 years where it was used by Vedic culture in India as a culinary spice and has been referenced in Ayurvedic texts for its medicinal purposes.  

The name Turmeric comes from the Latin “terra merita” (meritorious earth) due to its vibrant colour similar to a precious mineral pigment. It is an aromatic plant with a bitter taste. 

Native to: Tropical Southeast Asia and Indian subcontinent.   
Modern distribution: Turmeric requires warm, tropical temperatures and adequate rainfall to grow and thrive – India accounts for 80% of its modern cultivation.  
Common Names: Indian saffron, golden spice, yellow root – and there are at least 53 different names for this revered plant medicine in Sanskrit. 

Parts used – active compounds  

The rhizome (sometimes referred to as a root) is harvested annually and is used as a dye and for culinary and medicinal purposes. The rhizomes are boiled or steamed to remove raw odour and gelatinize starch for a more uniform product, after which it is dried in the sun.  The golden yellow color of Turmeric is due to curcumin – and the rhizome consists of 1–6% curcuminoids, compounds with high antioxidant activity that are the main active therapeutic ingredient.  

In Ayurvedic medicine, the root was used as an energy tonic, to treat the discomfort of arthritis, to regulate menstruation – and in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, turmeric was used to improve digestion and to relieve gas.  

👉Fun fact: Turmeric is used as a food coloring, (it’s what gives curries their bright hue!) lending its vibrant yellow to familiar foods, such as prepared mustard and chicken broths! 

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Main Therapeutic Uses

Antioxidant 

Due to curcumin’s powerful antioxidant activity – Turmeric can help support the body against free-radical damage by scavenging for a variety of reactive oxygen species.   

Inflammatory Joint Pain 

Those suffering from arthritis and joint pain have found relief from supplementing with Turmeric or Curcumin. Some research has found treating joint pain with it can have comparable results to NSAIDs use – bringing relief in helping to reduce pro-inflammatory compounds.   

Digestion  

Turmeric was traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to promote healthy digestion and can be taken as a digestive tonic bitter herb. Curcumin has been shown to have a positive influence on beneficial gut bacteria, thereby supporting the intestinal microbiome. It has also been researched for its ability to support intestinal barrier integrity, and in reducing gut inflammation.  Turmeric has also been researched for potential benefits as a cardioprotective, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective herb.  

👉Pro Tip: Curcumin has notoriously low bioavailability (meaning that it is not easily absorbed) – which is why it requires special handling before therapeutic use!  It has been discovered that a compound in black pepper called “piperine” can help to facilitate the absorption of curcuminoids in turmeric – and excellent example of plant medicine synergy!  Also, Curcumin is fat-soluble, meaning it breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil. Taking turmeric or curcumin supplements with a meal may help its absorption.   

⭐Folklore and symbolism: Turmeric is said to be protective, as well as healing and purification. In India, turmeric is used as a sacred anointment and has been used in ceremonies marking puberty, marriage and death,  In some weddings, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom as part of the pre-wedding “haldi ceremony” and is also sometimes tied to a string on the wrist in marriage ceremonies. 

St. Francis Products Featuring Turmeric

References: 

Antioxidant capacity: 
Jakubczyk K, Drużga A, Katarzyna J, Skonieczna-Żydecka K. Antioxidant Potential of Curcumin-A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Nov 6;9(11):1092. doi: 10.3390/antiox9111092. PMID: 33172016; PMCID: PMC7694612. 

Joint pain: 
Paultre K, Cade W, Hernandez D, Reynolds J, Greif D, Best TM. Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Jan 13;7(1):e000935. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000935. PMID: 33500785; PMCID: PMC7812094. 

Wang Z, Singh A, Jones G, Winzenberg T, Ding C, Chopra A, Das S, Danda D, Laslett L, Antony B. Efficacy and Safety of Turmeric Extracts for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2021 Jan 28;23(2):11. doi: 10.1007/s11926-020-00975-8. PMID: 33511486. 

Zhang F, Altorki NK, Mestre JR, Subbaramaiah K, Dannenberg AJ. Curcumin inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription in bile acid- and phorbol ester-treated human gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Carcinogenesis. 1999 Mar;20(3):445-51. doi: 10.1093/carcin/20.3.445. PMID: 10190560. 

Digestive Support:
Scazzocchio B, Minghetti L, D’Archivio M. Interaction between Gut Microbiota and Curcumin: A New Key of Understanding for the Health Effects of Curcumin. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 19;12(9):2499. doi: 10.3390/nu12092499. PMID: 32824993; PMCID: PMC7551052. 

General:
Sharifi-Rad J, Rayess YE, Rizk AA, Sadaka C, Zgheib R, Zam W, Sestito S, Rapposelli S, Neffe-Skocińska K, Zielińska D, Salehi B, Setzer WN, Dosoky NS, Taheri Y, El Beyrouthy M, Martorell M, Ostrander EA, Suleria HAR, Cho WC, Maroyi A, Martins N. Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Sep 15;11:01021. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01021. PMID: 33041781; PMCID: PMC7522354.