AUSTRALIAN NATUROPATHIC NETWORK
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Note - the monographs are provided for informational purposes only, and are not to be used for self-medication.

Curcuma longa (Turmeric)

Common name: Turmeric

Part used: Rhizome (7)

Active Constituents: Curcumin 0.3-5.4%, volatile oil 4-14% (turmerone, atlantone, zingiberone), sugars, resins, protein, vitamins (Vit C), minerals.(7)

Actions: * Anti-inflammatory (14) (both volatile oil & curcumin – acute inflam) (7)

• • Anti-platelet (14)
  • Hypocholesterolaemic (14)
  • Hepatic (14) – hepatoprotective & choleretic
  • Antioxidant(Increases Phase II liver detoxification) (11 & 7)
  • Anticarcinogenic (7)
  • Antimicrobial (7)
  • Carminative (7)

Indications: * Arthritis & inflammatory disorders (7)

• Cancer – prevention & Rx (7)
• Hypercholesterolemia (14)
• Atherosclerosis (7)
• Liver & GB disorders (5)
• Cholelithiasis (7)
• GIT dysbiosis (7)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (7)
• Poultice: sprains, muscular pain, inflamed joints with slaked lime (5)

Caution: High doses may damage GIT mucosa (100mg/kg body weight) (7)

Dosage: FE (1:1) 1.7-4.8ml tds

Curcumin 400-600mg tds (7)

Turmeric 8000-60 000mg tds (7)

Best taken with Bromelain to increase absorption of curcumin:

20 minutes before meals, or, with lecithin, fish oils or EFAs: with meals

Bibliography

• (1) Bone, K. Clinical Applcations of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs, Phytotherapy Press: Australia, 1997.

• (2) Mills, S. The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, Penguin Books: UK, 1991.
• (3) British Herbal Pharmacopeia, UK, 1983.
• (4) Hoffmann, D. The New Holistic Herbal, Element Books: Australia, 1996.
• (5) Murray & Pizzorno, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Llittle, Brown & Co: UK, 1996.
• (6) Mills, S. The Complete Guide of Modern Herbalism, Harper Collins Publishers: UK, 1994.
• (7) Murray, M. The Healing Power of Herbs, Prima Publishing: USA, 1995.
• (8) Potterton, D. (ed.), Culpepper’s Colour Herbal, W.Foulsham & Co: Sydney, 1983.
• (9) Holmes, P. Energetics of Western Herbs Vol 1, Nat Trp, Berkeley, 1986.
• (10) Ses Salmond, Materia Medica Class Notes, Nature Care College, 1997.
• (11) Melanie Koeman, Materia Medica Class Notes, Nature Care College, 1998.
• (12) Mediherb, Modern Phytotherapist, Vol 3, No. 1, Summer 1996, p.10
• (13) Mediherb, Monitor, No.25, March 1998.
• (14) Mediherb, Summary of Uses of Ayuvedic & Chinese Herbs, 1998.