Turmeric is International Herb Association’s Herb of the Year for 2026 and with good reason. Turmeric fits all three categories: medicinal, culinary, and decorative.
When you think of Turmeric what do you think of? Bright yellow powder? Curry? Indian cuisine? This native Indian and tropical Asian plant is all that and so much more. Did you know Turmeric is often used to color the bright yellow mustard we Americans commonly see offered as a condiment? Did you know this herb has been used for thousands of years by healers for treating inflammation?
Curcuma longa is a lush tropical plant that is in the Zingiberaceae family. Turmeric is a perennial with lush green foliage, fat rhizomes that resemble ginger on the outside and bright yellowish-orange on the inside and beautiful blooms that can range from white to pale yellow.
Turmeric on the left, Ginger on the right
Turmeric makes a wonderful golden dye for fabrics and will dye just about anything thing it comes in contact with. The resulting colors can be varied slightly by adding different mordants (dye fixatives such as baking soda, vinegar, rust and alum).
Grab some Turmeric from the kitchen real quick and do a taste test. What do you feel? Warming? Drying? How does it taste? Do you taste bitterness? Spiciness? Pungency? So many tastes in that one little bit, isn’t there? Most people describe Turmeric as warming, drying, bitter, and pungent.
Turmeric contains many constituents including curcumin, essential oils such as artumerone, zingberene, borneol, and turmerone; valepotriates, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and protein.
Looking for a herb packed with nutrition too? You might be surprised to learn Turmeric is extremely high in magnesium and silicon, high in iron, manganese, niacin, potassium, selenium, and sodium and also contains average to fair amounts of phosphorus, protein, vitamin A, C, E, zinc, calcium, chromium and cobalt.
Turmeric’s healing actions don’t stop there though. Turmeric is considered to be an alterative, analgesic, antiarthritic, antifibrotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, cardioprotective, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, circulatory stimulant, emmenagogue, hepatoprotective, hepatotonic, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective, stimulant, stomachic, and a vulnerary.
What does all that mean? Well, I’ve already briefly mentioned that this herb’s anti-inflammatory actions have been used for thousands of years. Let’s start there…studies have shown that Turmeric is just as effective as ibuprofen for inflammation relief but without the side effects. That alone sells me on using it instead of ibuprofen. Turmeric can be taken to relieve inflammatory problems such as colic, spasmodic menstrual cramps, inflammatory bowel diseases and hepatitis. It works best on the digestive and reproductive systems although it is also well used for arthritic conditions. The anti-inflammatory actions also work on skin inflammations such as acne. The next time you have a problem with acne, make a paste of Turmeric and water and dab it on before bedtime. See what results you get when you wake up in the morning.
As an anti-arthritic, this herb helps people who suffer from gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Combining the anti-inflammatory effects with the antioxidants makes Turmeric one of the best herbs to reach for in arthritic conditions.
This amazing rhizome contains many antioxidants which provide much of Turmeric’s healing power. Vitamins C and E, several carotenoids, curcumin and curcuminoids are all found in Turmeric. Curcumin is Turmeric’s main constituent and is what gives Turmeric its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. It is also what makes Turmeric’s rhizomes bright yellow.
But Turmeric’s healing abilities don’t stop there. The antiseptic and antibacterial qualities make this herb great for fighting off infections. I have found sore throats of any kind to be conquered quickly when using a paste of Turmeric and honey. This concoction tastes a bit odd but once you get used to the taste, it will be the first thing you mix up the next time you feel a scratchy throat coming on.
As an antifungal, Turmeric offers great relief for athlete’s foot. Beware though. Anyone using it will have bright yellow feet for awhile.
Turmeric is great for your liver too. As an hepatoprotective and hepatonic, Turmeric works to promote and maintain a healthy liver. According to Dr. James Duke, those who have been exposed to environmental toxins such as DDT, 4-nonylphenol and 4-octylphenol should add Turmeric to their daily diets. He states that Turmeric steps up the production of three enzymes that break down potentially harmful substances in the liver. He also suggests it to offer similar protection to those undergoing chemotherapy which are metabolized by the liver.
And Turmeric is not just great for assisting with cancer therapy. There are studies that show he also works to prevent cancers such as colon, lung and breast cancers as well as melanomas.
In Indian households, Turmeric is as common in their medicine cabinet. Instead of reaching for a band-aid, they reach for Turmeric to treat cuts and wounds. The antiseptic properties kill any germs to prevent infection. The anti-inflammatory actions also come in to play by not allowing the skin to become inflamed and swell which helps to speed up healing.
Turmeric milk is also used commonly for digestive ailments and other internal injuries. There is some suggestion that Turmeric can assist in increasing bile flow and help disintegrate gallstones.
Now, lets go back to Turmeric’s energetic qualities. Remember that warming feature? You should remember that even more so from Turmeric’s cousin Ginger. That spicy, warm taste/feel is what gives Turmeric its blood circulation properties. This same property gives Turmeric the ability to prevent clots from forming in the blood so caution must be used for those on blood thinning medication or those who have problems with their blood clotting to begin with.
How about that drying feeling? Did your mouth sort of pucker up like you were eating an unripe banana? That’s astringency for you.
Be warned that people with a history of stomach ulcers may react adversely to using Turmeric and should proceed with caution and under the watch of a medical practitioner as should those with a blood-clotting disorder.
One of my favorite ways to use Turmeric is to make a paste mixing Turmeric with honey. When eaten at the first sign of a sore throat, this paste can help to ward off illness. Try it the next time you have a scratchy throat.
Want to learn more about Turmeric? Check out Issue 25 – Tremendous Turmeric. It’s been newly revised and is now 58 pages packed full of information and activities to learn all about Turmeric.
