Turmeric root is widely used to make medicine. It contains a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which is often used to color foods and cosmetics.
Turmeric is used for arthritis, heartburn (dyspepsia), joint pain, stomach pain, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, bypass surgery, bleeding, diarrhea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, liver problems, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallbladder disorder , high cholesterol, skin condition called lichen planus, inflammation of the skin from radiation therapy and fatigue.
It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds, lung infections, fibromyalgia, leprosy, fever, menstrual problems, itchy skin, recovery from surgery, and cancer. Other uses include depression, Alzheimer's disease, swelling of the middle layer of the eye (anterior uveitis), diabetes, fluid retention, worms, an autoimmune disease called systemic lupus erythematosus. (SLE), tuberculosis, inflammation of the bladder and kidney problems.
Some people apply turmeric to the skin for pain, ringworm, sprains and swelling, bruises, leech stings, eye infections, acne, inflammatory skin conditions and skin sores, pain in the eye. inside the mouth, infected wounds and gum disease.
Turmeric is also used as an enema in people with inflammatory bowel disease.