Today, it is considered potentially beneficial in treating or reducing symptoms associated with a wide range of health conditions, due to its antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.
Turmeric is fragrant and has a bitter, somewhat sharp taste similar to ginger.
Parts Used The dried aboveground and underground stems are used in medicinal and food preparations. Curcumin, one of the active ingredients in turmeric, induces the flow of bile, which breaks down fats. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory agent that relieves the aches and pains associated with arthritis. In lab animals, curcumin was shown to decrease cholesterol levels. Turmeric decreased symptoms of skin cancers and reduced the incidence of chemically caused breast cancer in lab animals.