Turmeric (Curcuma):

Therapeutic actions:

Choloretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. (Blumenthal, et al., 1998, p. 222) (Bone, 2003, p. 436)

Phytochemical constituents that enhance these:

• Essential oils - atlantone, tumerone, and zingiberone; curcumin, curcuminoids, proteins, resins, sugars. (Mills & Bone, 2000, p. 569) (www.findarticles.com/)

Supporting evidence:

In an experimental model, regression of gallstones had been found to occur with oral administration of curcumin. Oral doses of turmeric were also found to protect against gastric ulceration by increasing mucus production and enhancing its protective ability. Curcumin and curcuminoids have been shown to have hepato-protective effects against CCl₄ induced toxicity. (Bone, 2003, p. 436) (Mills & Bone, 2000, p. 569)