PDR for Herbal Medicines

776 /TURMERIC

is harvested from February to April. The rhizomes are boiled

in water for 5 to 10 minutes and then dried in the sun.

Adulterations: The synthetic color pigments azo and anilin

are sometimes added to the herb.

Not to be Confused With: Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Curcuma

aromatica and Curcuma zedoaria

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (3-5%): alpha- and beta-tumerone (aroma

source), artumerone, alpha- and gamma-atlantone, curlone,

zingiberene, curcumol

Curcuminoids (3-5%): including curcumin, demethoxy cur-

cumin, bidemethoxy curcumin

1,5-diaryl-penta-1,4-dien-3-one derivatives

Starch (30-40%)

EFFECTS

Turmeric has antihepatotoxic, antihyperlipidemic and anti-

inflammatory effects. It is also antioxidative (inhibits lipid

peroxide formation in the liver), antitumoral and antimicro-

bial (in particular, the sesquiterpene derivatives). It has

insect repellent and antifertile effects. It also inhibits

prostaglandin formation, in vitro.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Dyspeptic complaints


• Loss of appetite

Unproven Uses: Turmeric is used for dyspeptic disorders,

particularly feelings of fullness after meals and regular

abdominal distention due to gas. The drug is also used for

diarrhea, intermittent fever, edema, bronchitis, colds, worms,

leprosy, kidney inflammation and cystitis. Other uses include

headaches, flatulence, upper abdominal pain, chest infec-

tions, colic, amenorrhea and blood rushes. It is used

externally for bruising, leech bites, festering eye infections,

inflammation of the oral mucosa, inflammatory skin condi-

tions and infected wounds.

Chinese Medicine: Turmeric is used for pains in the chest,

ribs, abdomen, liver and stomach; nose bleeds; vomiting

with bleeding; and heat stroke.

Indian Medicine: Turmeric is used for inflammation, wounds

and skin ulcers, itching, stomach complaints, flatulence,

conjunctivitis, constipation, ringworm infestation and colic.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
General: The drug should not be used by people with
obstructed biliary ducts; those with gallstones should take it
only under the supervision of a physician.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Pregnancy: Turmeric should not be used during pregnancy.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

Stomach complaints can occur following extended use or in

the case of overdose.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Whole, cut and powdered drug

available as capsules, solution, coated tablets and compound

preparations.

Preparation: To prepare a tea, scald 0.5 to 1 gm drug in

boiling water, cover, draw for 5 minutes and then strain. The

tincture strength is 1:10.

Daily Dosage: The average dose is 1.5 to 3 gm of drug. The

powder should be taken 2 to 3 times daily after meals; the tea

(2 to 3 cups) should be taken between meals. The tincture

dose is 10 to 15 drops 2 to 3 times daily.

Storage: Turmeric should be protected from light.

LITERATURE

Ammon HP, Wahl MA, Pharmacology of Curcuma longa.

Planta Med, 57:1-7, 1991.

Ammon HPT, Anazodo MI, Safayhi H et al., Planta Med

58:226, 1992.

Ammon HPT, Wahl MA, Pharmacology of Curcuma longa.

Planta Med 57:1-7, 1991.

Anto RJ, George J, Babu KV, RaJasekharan KN, Kuttan R,

Antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity of natural and

synthetic curcuminoids. Mutat Res, 42:127-31, 1996.

Apisariyakul A, Vanittanakom N, Buddhasukh D, Antifungal

activity of Turmeric oil extracted from Curcuma longa

(Zingiberaceae). J Ethnopharmacol, 30:163-9, 1995.

Babu PS, Srinivasan K, Hypolipidemic action of curcumin the

active principle of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) in streptozotocin

induced diabetic rats. Mol Cell Biochem, 30:169-75, 1997.

Basu AB, Ind J Pharm 33:131, 1971.

Bonte F, Noel-Hudson MS, Wepierre J, Meybeck A, Protective

effect of curcuminoids on epidermal skin cells under free

oxygen radical stress. Planta Med, 8:265-6, 1997.

Chan MM, Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor by curcumin a

phytochemical. Biochem Pharmacol, 42:1551-6, 1995.

Charles V, Charles SX, The use and efficacy of Azadirachta

indica ADR ('Neem') and Curcuma longa ('Turmeric') in

scabies. A pilot study. Trop Geogr Med, 30:178-81, 1992.

Dhar ML, et al Indian J Exp Biol 6:232, 1968.

Donatus IA, SardJoko, Vermeulen NP, Cytotoxic and

cytoprotective activities of curcumin. Effects on paracetamol-

induced cytotoxicity lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion

in rat hepatocytes. Biochem Pharmacol, 39:1869-75, 1990.