Does turmeric help against cancer? An ancient remedy revolutionizes cancer research

Veröffentlicht am: August 01, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang  Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

Does turmeric help against cancer?

Yes, turmeric can support you in the fight against cancer. Cancer is the spectre of our time. Some even claim that it is the scourge of mankind. And indeed, statistics show us how rapidly the number of new cases of cancer is rising every year.

To put this into figures, in 2006 there were 426,800 new cases in men and women, whereas in 2013 the number rose to around 482,500 new cases.

It is not just chance alone that determines whether people develop cancer or not. Studies carried out in different regions on men and women from different age and population groups show the factors that favor certain types of cancer. Genes, diet and lifestyle can have a significant influence on the likelihood of developing cancer or not.

However, a number of studies are also showing increasing hope: The spice turmeric, which is particularly well-known and popular in India, has been part of cancer research for years; the active ingredient curcumin contained in the spice has both a cancer-preventing and a cancer-inhibiting effect and is often used successfully in conjunction with controversial chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this article you will learn interesting details about the effects and dosage of turmeric in cancer, the background to turmeric and fascinating research results from recent years. 

The No. 1 cause of death from cancer is metastases!

Most people who fall victim to a serious, fatal cancer die due to the formation of metastases. Metastases are so-called metastases of a tumor, which initially spread to neighboring regions of the affected area in the body. These metastases develop as cancer cells that detach from the tumor and migrate to other sites with the help of the blood or lymph, where they settle and multiply. The chances of recovery after the formation of metastases are generally far worse and the probability of metastasis higher the later the cancer is detected and treated. The more organs are affected by the tumors, the higher the probability of eventually succumbing to the disease. 

Is turmeric a promising hope for cancer?

Turmeric appears to show promising effects against cancer. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which gives the root its typical strong yellow color. Originally from South Asia, turmeric is now also cultivated in the tropics. 

Turmeric has been used as a spice in Indian cuisine for at least 4,000 years and is still an integral part of Indian cuisine today. Even at that time, people were already aware of the healing properties of the root. When eaten fresh, the root has a very strong, almost burning taste, which is often perceived as unpleasant. The dried powder, on the other hand, is rather mild and pleasantly tasty. However, turmeric has long been used not only as a spice, but also to color food and was previously understood (and traded) as a "cheap substitute for saffron". Today, foods such as curry, mustard, turmeric rice and pasta are colored with the active ingredient.

The therapeutic effects of turmeric and its influence on health have been discussed for years in research, at congresses and in scientific articles. The results of cancer research studies, which will be discussed later, reveal interesting and significant facts that raise hope.

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How turmeric can prevent cancer

Prevention is better than cure - that's what people think, especially when it comes to cancer. There is an interesting statistic on this topic: in India, the rate of the following types of cancer is ten times lower than in the United States of America: Breast, prostate, colon and lung cancer. In this context, scientists point to the Indian population's diet and the daily use of the spice turmeric in their food. It is clear that these figures are significant and give rise to further research.

Another important aspect is the anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric. Inflammation is a key factor in the development of cancer. Long-term inflammation in the body can have a lasting negative impact on health and lead to cancer. It has been proven that these inflammations can be combated or even prevented with the help of turmeric cancer therapy.

Other cancer-causing factors include damage to DNA and the interruption of cell signaling pathways. Various studies have shown that turmeric has an effect on these factors and can therefore be used as a prophylactic. To date, there is no official recommendation on consumption and dosage, not even with regard to the effect of turmeric on the skin. 

The healing effect of turmeric on prostate cancer and breast cancer

The healing effect of turmeric on all types of cancer has been proven in a study conducted by the University of Texas under the direction of Prof. Dr. Bharat B. Aggarwal. The scientist emphasizes that there is no form of cancer that does not react to the active ingredient in the popular Indian spice turmeric. Prostate and breast cancer are currently receiving particular attention in the context of cancer research and in connection with turmeric. Prostate cancer normally develops very slowly and can be kept in check - provided it has not yet metastasized - by a change in diet and a positive change in lifestyle. Turmeric is used to support this lifestyle, which can prevent cancer cells from multiplying and dividing. The anti-cancer effect of turmeric has also been proven in Germany - at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Led by Dr. Beatrice Bachmeier, the research team found that the active ingredient was able to reduce the occurrence of metastases in the lungs of breast cancer patients. 

The right dosage of turmeric against cancer 

Scientists now agree that a daily dose of up to eight grams of turmeric as a dietary supplement is safe. For turmeric cancer therapy, as little as 400 to 800 mg per day can be effective. The effect of turmeric can be further enhanced by adding one percent piperine, which is a component of black pepper. 

The 4 dosage forms of turmeric are:

  1. Turmeric capsules: Turmeric can be administered in the form of vegetable capsules, which contain piperine in addition to the main active ingredient. The latter multiplies the effect of turmeric and brings out the greatest benefit from its use, so to speak.
  2. Powder: Turmeric is often used as a powder in Indian cuisine. While Asian spice mixtures usually contain piperine, this active ingredient should be added to the pure powder.
  3. Juice: Turmeric juice contains both piperine and oil. The oil component makes turmeric more "mobile" and makes it easier to get into the cells.
  4. Turmeric tea: An easy-to-use variant is turmeric tea with ginger and a pinch of pepper. 

But beware: in order to really benefit from the effect, you should use a high-quality extract, as it contains many times the amount of valuable ingredients as commercially available powder.

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3 studies on turmeric against cancer 

The fact that conventional oncology recognizes turmeric as a herbal remedy and recommends taking herbal capsules is no great surprise, but it is a major step forward - and solid proof of turmeric's effectiveness. Several thousand studies and publications worldwide on the subject speak the same language: turmeric is highly effective as an anti-cancer preparation and as an adjuvant therapy.

Study 1:

As early as 2005, turmeric was recognized as a natural remedy at the medical congress in the USA. The preventive and therapeutic effect of the spice can be proven regardless of the type of cancer - this was the tenor of the medical congress. Two years later, researchers from the Department of Gastroenterology at the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv investigated the effect of turmeric on mice. For this purpose, liver damage was added to the mice using induced chemicals. The group of mice that were not treated with turmeric suffered liver cirrhosis, while the other group did not. The scientists concluded that turmeric had an anti-inflammatory effect. 

Study 2:

In 2008, scientists at the National Yang-Ming University in Taipei proved that turmeric can play a decisive role in the treatment of lung cancer. Not only was it proven that the spread of cancer cells was prevented by the turmeric cancer dosage, but the active ingredient is also responsible for the formation of proteins that naturally inhibit tumor formation. In addition, the team was able to support the theory that turmeric has effects on metastasis. 

Study 3:

Furthermore, the effective interaction of turmeric and controversial chemotherapy has been proven, as researchers discovered in 2010. The Journal of Ovarian Research reports that in women with ovarian cancer, unsuccessful treatment with chemotherapy and radiation can be transformed into an effective therapy by pre-treatment with curcumin. Although the body is still severely weakened, the treatment can be more effective and efficient.

The effect of curcumin on our health 

  • In India - the country where curcuma is an integral part of the cuisine - ten times fewer people suffer from cancer than in the United States of America. Experts attribute this to the effect of curcumin.
  • The active ingredient in turmeric is used as a pre-treatment in chemotherapy and radiotherapy and it has been shown that this makes these conventional medical methods more effective.
  • Curcuma has anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and antioxidant properties and on this basis manages to destroy cancer cells and protect healthy cells.
  • The active ingredient in curcuma has been proven to help against the following types of cancer: colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. However, curcuma has an effect on all types of cancer.
  • Curcuma should be mixed with the active ingredient piperine to ensure greater bioavailability. Oil also makes the active ingredient more "mobile".
  • Curcuma was already recognized as a naturopathic cancer remedy at the medical congress in the USA in 2005.
  • Curcuma also has a positive effect on the skin, hair and nails, which is due in particular to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Which plants kill cancer cells?

The 5 most effective anti-cancer agents

  • Turmeric
  • Incense
  • Cat's claw
  • Graviola
  • Reishi mushroom

There are many natural remedies that can support you in the fight against cancer cells. Among the most important are turmeric, frankincense, cat's claw, graviola and the reishi mushroom. 

What stops cancer cells?

In laboratory studies, turmeric was able to kill cancer cells and prevent them from spreading.

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Who should not take turmeric?

People with a sensitive stomach should take care, as a high dosage of turmeric with piperine can lead to flatulence or nausea. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should also consult their doctor or naturopath before taking it. 


Sources (in English):


Cancer in Germany 2009/2010. 9th edition. Robert Koch Institute and the Society of Epidemiologic Cancer Registries in Germany (ed.). Berlin 2013, Available at [http://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Gesundheitsmonitoring/Gesundheitsberichterstattung/GBEDownloadsB/KID2013.pdf%3F__blob%3DpublicationFile]

Flühler, D. (2015, July). Cucuma - miracle weapon against cancer. Available at [http://quer-denken.tv/1578-curcuma-wunderwaffe-gegen-krebs/]

Ravindran, J., Prasad, S. & Aggarwai, B. B. (2009, September)Curcumin and Cancer Cells: How Many Ways Can Curry Kill Tumor Cells Selectively?The AAPS Journal, 11(3): 495-510, doi: 10.1208/s12248-009-9128-x