Turmeric: What you need to know

By Dr Tom Shurlock of The Golden Paste Company

Over the past few years, it is practically impossible to avoid a stream of adverts, articles or personal recommendations about the medicinal benefits of turmeric for people. So why has this come about, and does it have credence across species, in particular, the horse?

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant, in the ginger family that grows in the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia. It requires a hot humid climate to grow. The plant has three major components, in terms of current “medicine”; the aerial plant, the rhizome (the root stock) and the roots themselves, each differing in their concentration and distribution of bioactive materials.

Within the cultures of India, Asia and the eastern areas of Africa, turmeric rhizomes appear to be the favoured part, used as a food spice and colourant, and a dyestuff, similar to saffron.

Due to its perceived effect in diets, ancient cultures used it to maintain gastric health; there are also more endogenous uses, but these stem from tinctures of the aerial portions, and also through inhalation of vapours.

There is evidence that Marco Polo (or, at least approximate contempories) introduced turmeric to the West, but it is interesting that Culpepper, who published a definitive volume (for the time) on 17th Century herbal remedies, made no mention of turmeric, whatsoever. It wasn’t until the 18th Century, with Britain’s presence in India, that turmeric’s role as a food spice made its impact in the U.K.

Then came the “folk medicine” revival in the second half of the 20th Century, and the interest in essential oils. Paradoxically these are neither oils nor, technically, essential. The term came as aromatic compounds, soluble in the oil extracts of some plants, gave a particular essence!

During this period the bioactive properties of turmeric, along with countless herbs and spices, has been isolated and described chemically. These isolates were then investigated across a range of possible disorders, either as treatments, or as mediators. Although there has been no definitive proof of claim (e.g. garlic cures cancer!), there is a vast amount of supporting information. However, from the data, it did show a greater benefit from the ingredients in the rhizome, as compared to roots and leaves.

From this we can show there are three main components to turmeric, of which there are over 200 identified actives; first the curcumoids, which are the main colourant; secondly, the terpenoids, which are the essential oils and thirdly the polyphenols, all of which have bioactive properties. Both the essential oils and curcumin (the major phenolic) are reported to have antimicrobial properties; effective against both aerobic and anaerobic pathogens, gram + bacteria, Staphylococcus, Listeria, E coli & Salmonella species. A wider anti-parasitic role as anti-fungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, larvicidal and nematocidal effects have also been shown, even its impact on tick adhesion to the skin. These are the properties that probably support its role in gastric health.

Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. What is also important – and has many ramifications across the whole spectrum of well-being – is the interaction between the oxidative/antioxidative and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cycles. Not only does this impact on all areas of metabolic and physiological function and dysfunction – from gastric ulcers to ageing, from muscular recovery to diabetes and critically as a potential immunomodulator – it also affects various carcinogenic systems. The role of turmeric within this context has highlighted its actions, and research has concentrated on its mediation in osteo-arthritis, allergic reactions, skin quality, digestive dysfunction, and any number of inflammatory responses. Inflammation is a central component to any repair function in the body, including immune reactions, wear and tear and carcinogenic systems.  In the normal cycle repair is followed by anti-inflammatory systems, but this part of the cycle may be suppressed where pro-inflammatory cues continue. Modulation of this cycle is critical to progress normal function, and components of turmeric have been shown, under controlled scientific conditions, to display such a role.

Because of its range of effects, turmeric can support general wellbeing, as well as specific areas, such as muscle and joint support, moderating the effects of biting insects, and helping to maintain a favourable gut environment. Research has highlighted such activities in the horse. From reviews on the effect of various bioactives – from a number of plant sources – to specific roles of interactions with joint supplements like glucosamine, or the action on equine lung function, data suggests an active role in equine nutrition and health.

Turmeric has been shown to have positive effects in supporting many physiological and biochemical functions in the horse, through complex interactions and helping to maintain the optimum balance through various anabolic and catabolic mechanisms.

Joint Support with TurmerAid™ – The Complete Turmeric Pellet

TurmerAid™, from The Golden Paste Company, is a natural turmeric supplement for horses which supports healthy joints, aids digestion and promotes a healthy skin and coat. The supplement supports healthy joints as it helps the integrity of the equine natural defence mechanisms, while supporting the body’s natural inflammation processes.

The only pelleted turmeric supplement on the market, TurmerAid™ is carefully formulated with key ingredients for maximum absorption and bio-availability. The complete turmeric pellet contains a minimum 5.1% curcumin, yucca, black pepper, linseed and apple cider vinegar.

TurmerAid™ remains effective as the ingredients are evenly distributed in each pellet and are only released when the horse bites into them. There is no risk of individual ingredients dissipating inside the tub over time and the horse subsequently receiving an unbalanced measure.

For further information please email [email protected] or visit goldenpastecompany.com

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