THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF CURCUMA LONGA (TURMERIC)

Curcuma longa (commonly known as turmeric) is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani medicine. Modern scientific research has confirmed numerous pharmacological activities of turmeric, largely due to its principal bioactive compound, curcumin. Studies indicate that turmeric possesses strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anticancer properties. Experimental and clinical investigations suggest that turmeric may play an important role in preventing and managing chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Despite promising findings, challenges remain regarding bioavailability, dosage standardization, and long-term clinical evaluation. This review aims to summarize current scientific evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of Curcuma longa and highlight future directions for research and clinical application.