Used in Asia for more than a thousand years as both a medicinal herb and spice, turmeric is one of the most popular natural remedies in alternative medicine. It’s well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, and it has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment. Recent studies have implied that this spice might also be effective in fighting fungal infections.
So, what is the link between turmeric and fungus?
Curcumin Health Benefits
The reason why turmeric has all these health benefits is curcumin – its active ingredient that has been a subject of many studies for its anti-inflammatory properties.
A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy studied the connection between turmeric and fungus and found that curcumin was effective against Candida – a type of fungi that is responsible for most common yeast infections in the human body. Scientists even found that curcumin was more effective against a strain of Candida than fluconazole, which is a common drug used to treat fungal infections. The strain in question is P. brasiliensis, a fungus that causes the disease paracoccidioidomycosis.
How Should You Take It?
Studies have found that black pepper improves the absorption of turmeric by the human body, which is exactly why many turmeric supplements are mixed with a form of black pepper. You can take turmeric either as a supplement, or add the spice directly to your meal. While the supplements do have a higher concentration of curcumin, you can add turmeric to your diet if you prefer a more natural approach.
Final Word
Although more research is needed to confirm the connection between turmeric and fungus, it seems that antifungal qualities can be added to the long list of curcumin benefits. If you like the taste of Indian or Middle Eastern cuisine, add turmeric to your diet and put these claims to the test. Even if it doesn’t help you fight fungus, there is no doubt turmeric will benefit your health in many ways.
