Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Turmeric is perhaps the most extensively studied herb in cancer research. Curcumin inhibits NF-κB, STAT3, and Akt signalling pathways, induces apoptosis in cancer cells, inhibits angiogenesis, and reduces metastasis. Over 3,000 peer-reviewed studies support its anti-cancer properties against breast, colon, prostate, lung, ovarian, and multiple myeloma cells.
Medicinal Properties
Cancer Types Studied
Recommended Dosage
500–2000 mg curcumin (95% curcuminoids) daily with black pepper (piperine) or in liposomal/phytosome formulation for absorption.
Preparations
Capsules (Liposomal/BioPerine)
500–1000 mg standardised curcuminoid extract twice daily with meals. Use formulations with piperine (BioPerine) or phospholipids (Meriva) for 10–20x better bioavailability.
Golden Milk (Haldi Doodh)
1–2 tsp turmeric in warm milk with black pepper, ginger, and coconut oil. Drink 1–2 times daily.
NIH / PubMed Research
Links open on PubMed (National Library of Medicine). Research is ongoing — results may not reflect clinical use.
Cautions & Interactions
- May thin blood — caution with anticoagulants (warfarin, aspirin)
- Can lower blood sugar — monitor in diabetic patients
- May interfere with some chemotherapy drugs — discuss with oncologist
- Stop 2 weeks before surgery
Related Herbs
Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before use.