Benefits of Turmeric

There are several claimed benefits of turmeric. When taken by mouth, this spice is claimed to be useful for depression, headaches, and kidney problems, among other conditions. When applied to the skin, turmeric may be helpful for treating bruising, ringworm, and eczema. Although consuming normal amounts of turmeric through food is probably safe for children, you should not give your child turmeric without your healthcare provider's approval.

Turmeric Supplement Information

What Are the Benefits of Turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice and coloring agent often used in Indian cuisine. There has been much interest in turmeric's potential health benefits. Specifically, taking it by mouth is claimed to provide benefit when used for the following conditions:

Depression
Indigestion or heartburn
Abdominal (stomach) pain or bloating
Excessive bleeding
Rheumatoid arthritis
Diarrhea
Gas
Loss of appetite
Jaundice, hepatitis, or other liver problems
High cholesterol
Gallstones or other gallbladder problems
Leprosy
Fever
Absent menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
Cancer (for both prevention and treatment)
Fluid retention
Headache
Bronchitis, the common cold, or other respiratory infections
Fibromyalgia
Kidney problems
Bladder infections.

Applying turmeric topically (to the skin) is said to be beneficial for the following problems:

Pain
Ringworm
Bruising
Leech wounds
Infections
Eczema
Inflammation.

Some of these possible turmeric benefits have more evidence in their favor than others (see Does Turmeric Work? for more information).

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