Turmeric (curcumin, curcuma longa, turmeric root, wild curcuma)

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