Properties: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Spleen
Divergent Zones: Shaoyang
Divergent Channels: Stomach, Spleen
Extraordinary Vessels: Yang Qiao
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood, eliminates Blood Stasis and unblocks menstruation
Blood Stasis Menstrual problems and chest or abdominal pain due to Blood Stasis from Deficiency Cold
- Promotes the movement of Qi and opens the channels and collaterals to alleviate pain
Liver Qi Stagnation with epigastric and abdominal pain
- Expels Wind and invigorates the Blood
Wind-Damp-Bi with Blood Stasis, especially in the shoulders
- Reduces swelling
Swelling and pain from sores and lesions caused by toxic Heat Accumulation with Qi and Blood Stagnation
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Generally safe but its ability to increase bile secretion means caution should be used in cases of gallstones and avoided in biliary tract obstruction.
Notable Constituents:
- Curcumin
Anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, hepatoprotective, antifungal and radical scavenger. Also used as a pigment and dye.
- Bisdemethoxycurcumin
Another curcuminoid that acts at various different levels of the arachadonic acid inflammatory cascade and through effects on various enzymes and cytokines.
- Desmethoxycurcumin
Another curcuminoid found in Curcuma longa but not in some other species (eg. Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Javanese tumeric and Curcuma aromatica, Yu Jin).
- Ar-tumerone
Sesquiterpenoid essential oil that acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor probably responsible for anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, giving turmeric its reputation preventing dementia. It is also the aspect most likely absorbed by the gut (curcuminoids have poor water solubility and bioavailability).
Quality Tests:
Roots can sometimes be dyed to cover imperfections. The most serious form of this is when lead chromate is used which has been reported in Bangladesh, resulting in lead and chromium poisoning (Newby, 2023).
Appears in 13 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
