Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Constipation (adults)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, for a wide range of digestive issues, including constipation. In these traditions, turmeric is believed to support digestion by stimulating bile production and reducing inflammation within the gut. Its primary active compound, curcumin, is thought to help maintain digestive health, although its direct effect on bowel motility is less clearly defined in traditional texts.

From a scientific perspective, there is limited clinical evidence specifically linking turmeric or curcumin to the treatment of constipation in adults. Most research on turmeric focuses on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. Some animal studies suggest that turmeric may have a mild laxative effect and can promote gastrointestinal motility, but human studies are sparse and often of low quality. One small clinical trial found that a multi-herb preparation containing turmeric improved symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can include constipation, but the effect cannot be attributed to turmeric alone.

Overall, while turmeric is traditionally used to support digestive function and relieve symptoms like constipation, robust scientific validation is lacking. Its use for constipation is primarily justified by tradition rather than strong clinical evidence, and it should not be considered a first-line treatment for this condition in adults.

More about turmeric
More about Constipation (adults)

Other ingredients used for Constipation (adults)

aloe vera
apple
apricot
asparagus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
barley
basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
blackberry
broccoli
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
carrot
cauliflower
celery
chamomile
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
cinnamon
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
dandelion
dog rose
melon
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
green banana
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
cellulose
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
kale
kudzu
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mango
mannitol
moringa
nettle
oat
ophiopogon root
orange
parsley
pear
pectin
perilla
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
redcurrant
rhizome
rhubarb root
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
thyme
tomato
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
seaweed
watercress
watermelon
xylooligosaccharides
cascara sagrada
tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
swertia
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
lemongrass
sunflower
root tuber
flowering quince
dioscorea
ganoderma
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
polyphenols
caraway
purslane
senna
aster root
peach
noni
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
millet seed
algae
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
sea salt
Agar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Auricularia
Amomum
Avocado
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Baliospermum
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Butea monosperma
Bitter Grass
Bael
Bean
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
banana
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
California chia
Cinnamomum
Cascaroside
Cucurbita
coconut oil
Coriander
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cape Aloe
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cereal grass
Chinese Raisintree
Cruciferous
Cyclanthera pedata
Curcumen
Chard
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dextrin
Dragonhead
Dianthrone
Dwarf Morning Glory
Date
Dulse
Emblicanin
Endive
Embelia
Emodin
Fig
Galangal
Lotus
Molasses
Phosphate Salt
Prickly Pear Cactus
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Sumac
Vinegar
Wheat
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Edema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Glaucoma
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Halitosis
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Lice
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Mumps
Muscular Dystrophy
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Parasites (general)
Pets (supplements for)
Phlebitis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sciatica
Scratches and Abrasions
Senility
Skin (infections)
Slivers
Snake Bite
Sprains
Staph Infections
Stiff Neck
Stye
Tendonitis