Turmeric has conquered the world in the form of Curry Powder. It has an very long history in the cultures of Asia, especially India. This history has inspired many modern uses. The health benefits of Turmeric have become so widely known and respected that Turmeric supplements are among the most popular in every health food stores supplement aisle. (They are recommended for conditions ranging from inflammation and arthritis to metabolic syndrome such as high cholesterol or belly fat just to mention a few).
While Turmeric essential oil contains only traces of curcumin it has a high proportion of turmerones. The latter have been researched extensively for their anti-wrinkle and anti-tumor properties.
For more information please visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/turmerone
There are two main varieties of Turmeric, the species from India (Curcuma longa) and the one from Indonesia (Curcuma xanthorriza). Both of these have been the subject of in-depth research, C. longa in connection with its skin firming- anti wrinkle properties and C. xanthorriza for its substantial anti-tumor properties.
Both oils have fragrances with powerful appeal. C. longa featuring spicy fresh, smooth notes with slightly woody aspects with only hints of Ginger. It is many Aromatherapist’s favorite. This oil makes a perfect addition to perfumes, therapeutic and massage blends.
Javanese Turmeric has a warm, earthy, spicy note, somewhat woody with a Ginger top note.
Both Turmeric oils on offer are CO2 extracted, which gives them a particular broad range of therapeutically effective turmerones (C. longa) and xanthorrizhol (C. xanthorriza) derivatives.
The Value of Turmeric
Below please see selected references to research demonstrating the anti-tumor properties of Curcuma longa and Curcuma xanthorriza:
Turmeric is the source for a variety of therapeutically valuable sesqui terpene components. Curcuma longa contains the wrinkle fighting Turmerone and Curcuma xanthorriza (Javanese Turmeric or Temu Lawak) contains the potently antitumor active Xanthorrizhol (see Xanthorrhizol pape 647 in Robert Tisserand’s Essential Oil Safety).
Asian Rhizomes and Resins Anti-AGING properties
• The Classic: Turmeric, Curcuma longa. Its main component Turmerone is the key component in an anti-aging product of EVONIK industries Germany under the TEGO label
The Turmerone is composed of three isomeres:
ar-Turmerone 17,0 %
alpha-Turmerone. 32,9 %
beta-Turmerone. 17,0 %
Sum of Turmerones (ar-, alpha- und beta-T.) 48 66,9%
Asian Rhizomes and Resins: Anti-TUMOR Activity
• The Classic: Turmeric, Curcuma longa
Turmerone exhibited potent apoptotic cytotoxicity towards human, rat and mouse leukemia and lymphoma. The apoptotic activity of ar-Turmerone from
Turmeric oil on Lymphoma cells involves caspase-3 activation.
Turmeric components researched:
ar-Turmerone 17,0 %
alpha-Turmerone. 32,9 %
beta-Turmerone. 17,0 %
Sum of Turmerones (ar-, alpha- und beta-T.) 48 66,9%
see:
Ji et al. Int. J. Mol. Med. 14, 253 – 256
Lee, Y. BMB Reports 42, 96 – 100
Asian Rhizomes and Resins: Powerful Anti-TUMOR Activity
Javanese Turmeric, Curcuma xanthorrhiza contains the Sesquiterpene Xanthorrhizol which potently inhibits COX-2 and iNOS which correlates with cancer chemopreventive action.
see:
Lee et al. J. Environ Pathol. Toxicol. Oncol 21, 141- 148
Xanthorrhizol in Javanese Turmeric: Powerful Anti-TUMOR Activity
Xanthorrhizol has been found to suppress proliferation of human breast cancer and hepatome cells by induction of apoptosis. It is anti nephrotoxic and anti-tumoral.
see:
Cheah et al. Anticancer Research 26 4527 – 4534
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