Rising incidence of life style and age related diseases, side effects of drugs in western medication system and heavy cost for managing these health conditions have turned people more towards natural healthcare system. Today we are experiencing what can be termed as herbal renaissance, which has increased the use of natural or nature-based supplements and drugs for the management of chronic ailments. Researchers acknowledge the utility of traditional herbs and their way of healing,...
More DescriptionRising incidence of life style and age related diseases, side effects of drugs in western medication system and heavy cost for managing these health conditions have turned people more towards natural healthcare system. Today we are experiencing what can be termed as herbal renaissance, which has increased the use of natural or nature-based supplements and drugs for the management of chronic ailments. Researchers acknowledge the utility of traditional herbs and their way of healing, which exists from time immemorial. Turmeric is one of the most popular traditionally used herb and also known as "golden spice". It is grown in various parts of India and other Asian countries, and has been held sacred since ancient times. Curcumin is the major and the active ingredient of Turmeric (Curcuma longa); also responsible for its yellow color. Turmeric has strong relation with the socio-cultural life of the Indian subcontinent and in Vedic period, people regarded it as "herb of the sun" [Duggi et al. 2013]. In Ayurveda, the traditional Indian herbal system of medicine, the therapeutic role of turmeric has been described as Dashemani Lekhaniya (emaciating), Kusthagna (anti-dermatosis) and Visaghna (anti-poisonous) [Krup V et al. 2013]. Since ancient time, turmeric has been used as traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases like asthma, cough, allergic rhinitis, urinary disorders, jaundice, diarrhea, biliary disorders, anorexia, diabetic wounds, sprains and swellings caused by injury. The dried turmeric powder has been used topically for insect stings, chickenpox and smallpox [Ravindran et al. 2007]. In the modern scientific world, Curcumin has been the subject of extensive study into its mechanism of action and therapeutic use in managing several diseases. It has been described to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antimutagenic, anticancer and detox properties [Majeed M et al. 1999]. Since the antioxidant activities of Curcumin are not degraded by heat (unlike most vitamins), even using the spice in cooking provide benefits. In other words it is also "the spice of life".