Turmeric (curcumin, curcuma longa, turmeric root, wild curcuma)
Classes: Analgesics, Herbals; Gastrointestinal, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Curcumin, curcuma longa (turmeric)
Extract standardized to 95% curcumin
Dyspepsia
500 mg QID PO
Colorectal Cancer
Curcuma extract: 440 to 2200 mg (containing curcumin 36 to 180 mg) qD daily no more than 4 months
Suggested uses of Curcumin, curcuma longa (turmeric)
Orally
Dyspepsia, abdominal pain, hemorrhage, diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, hepatitis, and liver and gallbladder complaints, headaches, bronchitis, colds, respiratory infections, fibromyalgia, leprosy, fever, amenorrhea, and cancer
Topically
Analgesia, ringworm, bruising, leech bites, eye infections, inflammatory skin conditions, inflammation of the oral mucosa, and infected wounds
Efficacy
Effective in dyspepsia; insufficient evidence for other uses
Curcumin, curcuma longa (turmeric) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
GI disturbances (chronic use)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity, bile duct obstruction, gastric ulcer
Avoid prior to surgery: may cause bleeding
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: N/A
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Curcumin, curcuma longa (turmeric)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Curcumin: anti-inflammatory (COX inhibition); stim. production & release of bile; antispasmodic; hepatoprotective; antioxidant