Curcumin: What is it?

Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, a spice in the ginger family used in cooking and, in Asian cultures, for medical purposes.

By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

Curcumin is a component of the Indian spice turmeric, a type of ginger. It is one of three curcuminoids present in turmeric, the other two being desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin. These curcuminoids give turmeric its yellow color and curcumin is used as a yellow food colorant and food additive. Used by doctors and health care providers in Asian cultures, this supplement is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties.

Curcumin is obtained from the …read more