Turmeric is very famous as the main spice in curry, but it is also well known for its health benefits. It has many medicinal properties that led to it being nicknamed as “the spice of life.” Due to this, it was a subject of more than 5,600 biomedical studies around the world.
Some studies revealed that turmeric had more than 600 applications in prevention of illnesses and 175 physiological effects, and it also acts as a therapeutic medicine. This makes it a remarkable spice.
Therefore, it is not surprising that researchers compare turmeric to drugs that can be bought at the pharmacy. Turmeric is said to have the same effects as the following medications:
1. Metformin
According to a 2009 study that was published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, one of the main components of turmeric – curcumin – can help in the treatment of diabetes by increasing glucose sensitivity of the body.
2. Drugs for Glucose Production
There are researchers who believe that curcumin can suppress the production of glucose in the liver of people who have hepatocellular carcinoma (a very common cancer).
3. Oxaliplatin
According to a 2007 study published in the Internal Journal of Cancer, curcumin can treat colon cancer, so patients can replace the Oxaliplatin drug with it.
4. Ibuprofen
A 2004 study published in Oncogene, discovered curcumin to be a good alternative to ibuprofen. Turmeric has the potential to fight tumour cells, which means that the medications used for this purpose might no longer be needed.
5. Anti-inflammatory Drugs
The aforementioned study also suggests that turmeric can replace other anti-inflammatory drugs.
6. Aspirin
Aspirin is used as a blood thinner. A 1986 study, published in Arzneimittelforschung, discovered that curcumin can provide the same effects as aspirin. It can control platelets and prostacyclin by modulating their effects. As a result, turmeric can be used to treat people who struggle with severe blood clotting and people who need therapy for their arthritis.
7. Prozac
A 2011 study, published in Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, discovered that curcumin can help in treating depression. It can potentially replace Prozac.
8. Imipramine
Turmeric may replace this antidepressant medication, because it is said to have depression treating properties.
9. Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine is a drug used in the treatment of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Scientists consider turmeric to provide the same curative benefits, but without the side effects.
10. Steroids
According to a 1999 study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, curcumin has the ability to heal chronic anterior uveitis – an eye disease that results to inflammation. Turmeric can help with this disease, because it is much safer and healthier than steroids.
11. Corticosteroids
Another study showed that curcumin can be effective as a replacement therapy for injuries associated with lung transplantation. This means it could replace dexamethasone, a corticosteroid drug, but without the side effects.
12. Lipitor
A 2008 study, posted in Drugs in R&D, discovered curcuminoids to be effective in healing endothelial dysfunction. This dysfunction affects the work of the blood vessels.
13. Drugs for diabetes
Also, the researches in the aforementioned study believed that the curcumin in turmeric can be used in the treatment of inflammation and oxidative stress in people with type 2 diabetes.
14. Atorvastatin
This drug lowers bad cholesterol, also known as low density lipoprotein (LDL). Turmeric can have the same effect and is also a natural way to lower cholesterol levels.
All of these health benefits and abilities make turmeric the most frequently mentioned herb in science and medicine.
