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LMU Munich discovers how curcumin fights metastasis
Description: curcumin
Curcuma longa, a bitter taste tropical plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family cultivated extensively in Asia, India, China and many other countries [1], has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat multiple symptoms and as a natural remedy for many other ailments and affections. Curcuma longa resembles a lot other Zingiberaceae family plants as Zingiber officinale (Ginger), and as this one has many known properties and health benefits. The powder obtained from the dried rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric), known as curry, is used in many traditional Indian dishes and is part of the Indian diet since centuries ago.
Almost everyone is familiar with the yellow color of curry, but not everyone knows that this color is the effect of a polyphenol found in Curcuma longa rhizome, a polyphenol known as Curcumin.
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), one of the most active chemical constituents found in Turmeric or Curcuma longa, is a pungent, bitter and astringent Turmeric constituent that has been traditionally used in herbal preparations and as a dye and flavoring agent, a polyphenol compound from the group of curcuminoids. Now scientists from Ludwig-Maximilans University in Munich (LMU) led by PD Dr. Beatrice Bachmeier, have discovered that Curcumin suppresses metastases of certain cancers. Image: Turmeric root by Shu Tu under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0).

Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Curcuma
Common name: Turmeric, Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica Valeton.

Curcumin effects on diabetes
Description: CurcuminCurcumin(diferuloylmethane), is one of the most active chemical constituents found in Turmeric or Curcuma longa. Traditionally used in herbal preparations and as a dye and flavoring agent, Curcumin is a polyphenol compound from the group of curcuminoids that is known for its characteristic yellow color, the color we can seen in curry powder, extracted from Turmeric root and used in many traditional culinary Indian recipes,
In a recent study done on the effects and efficacy of Curcumin in delaying the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, 240 prediabetic population were given either placebo or curcumin during 9 months. After the test period the participants were subject of analysis with the following results:
  1. 16.4% of the subjects in the placebo group were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
  2. None (0%) in the Curcumin-treated group acquired Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
But that's not all, the curcumin-treated group showed a better overall function of β-cells and lower C-peptide. ImageVietnam Plants under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0).

Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Curcuma
Common name: Turmeric, Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica Valeton.

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What is Boswellia? Boswellia effects on pancreatic cancer
Description: http://www.herbcyclopedia.com/images/various/boswellia_sacra_05_f.jpgBoswellia serrata has been traditionally used in ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammatory problems. This has been its main use since this herb was found to be rich in Boswellic acids, an active component found in Boswellia serrata that helps on the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Image: Boswellia sacra by Scott Zona under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).
WHAT IS BOSWELLIC ACID?
Boswellic acids are Triterpenes, organic acids found mainly in the resin produced by plants in the genus Boswellia, as Boswellia serrata, and can be up to 30% of the total active constituents found in that resin. They were used in Ayurvedic medicine as part of many other traditional herbal remedies.

Family: Burseraceae
Genus: Boswellia
Common name: Indian frankincense, Salai, ru Xiang (Chinese).

Monkshood, a deadly Himalayan plant
Description: MonkshoodMonkshood (Aconitum ferox), is known to be the strongest poisonous plant of the Himalayas, having said that, Monkshood, is part of some Ayurvedic medicines and preparations as Mahamrutynjaya rasa, contain Aconitum ferox, Piper nibrum and Piper longum, containing aconitine and piperine [3].
Most of the Ayurvedic formulations containing Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox), were traditionally prescribed as analgesic, anti-rheumatic, appetizer and digestive [2]. The active constituent giving Monkshood this poisonous properties is Pseudaconitine, an alkaloid discovered in 1878 by Wright and Luff [8] also known as nepaline (C36H51NO12) that is found in high quantities in the roots of Aconitum ferox also known as wolfsbane and it is "extremely poisonous" [8]. Image: Monkshood and Monkey flower by Zabet O'Casey under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).

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