Turmeric/curcumin

SUMMARY: Turmeric and its purified extract curcumin are also used medically for their purported antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects to treat a wide variety of conditions and for general health and wellness including reducing risk for cancer.  One reason given for the safety and lack of hepatotoxicity of curcumin was that it is poorly absorbed by the oral route

NIH – Turmeric is a popular herb derived from the roots of the plant Curcuma longa found mostly in India and Southern Asia. Turmeric has an intense yellow color and distinct taste and is used as a dye as well as a spice in the preparation of curry. Turmeric and its purified extract curcumin are also used medically for their purported antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects to treat a wide variety of conditions and for general health and wellness. Turmeric and curcumin have been associated with a low rate of transient serum enzyme elevations during therapy and, while having a long history of safety, turmeric products have recently been implicated in several dozen instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury.  One reason given for the safety and lack of hepatotoxicity of curcumin was that it is poorly absorbed by the oral route, and it was unclear whether there was adequate systemic exposure to achieve any of the purported beneficial or adverse effects of turmeric or curcumin.  One reason given for the safety and lack of hepatotoxicity of curcumin was that it is poorly absorbed by the oral route, and it was unclear whether there was adequate systemic exposure to achieve any of the purported beneficial or adverse effects of turmeric or curcumin.

See also turmeric.